While the Early Signing Period starting today, Bruin football has stolen the limelight back from UCLA basketball temporarily. With school out for the Christmas break, it really doesn’t matter when the Bruins play today. So, for some reason, the Athletic Department (or, more likely, the Pac-12 Networks) decided that today’s game should be played at 2 pm PT. I guess that’s what happens when eight Pac-12 schools play meaningless games on the Wednesday before Christmas.
Today, the Bruins will play against the more respectable UC school from Northern California, UC Davis. Why are the Aggies the more respectable UC school from NorCal? Because they will earn their payday from the UCLA Athletic Department by actually playing a game against the Bruins, unlike the Northern Branch located further west of Sacramento to whom the UC Regents have awarded Calimony payments.
In fact, the Aggies, who come into Pauley with a respectable 7-4 record, opened the season with a win against the UC Berkeley Golden Bears, which gives them a shot at being the second-best UC school in basketball this season. The Aggies will actually be the only UC school this season to play all of the UC brethren which field basketball teams. So, in fact, if they can actually pull off a win against the Bruins this afternoon, it’s possible they could win the non-existent University of California basketball championship by running the table against UC Riverside, UCSB, UC Irvine as well.
It would be a Christmas miracle!
Of course, that’s what it should take for the Aggies to defeat a UCLA team which is ranked 13th in this week’s AP Poll and 9th in this week’s USA Today Coaches Poll.
The Aggies are led by head coach Jim Les, who is in his 12th season with UC Davis. Les has a career record of 318-316 and a record at UC Davis of 164-176. Based on the Aggies’ game against Eastern Washington, look for Les to start a lineup of four guards and just one forward.
The starting forward will be senior Christian Anigwe. While averaging 11.7 ppg, Anigwe looks to be the team’s best shooter. His 53.9% shooting percentage is the best of any player with at least 27 attempts. He leads the team in blocks with 19 and averages 5.5 rebounds per game. He’s also the only senior on the squad.
Junior guard Elijah Pepper is the clear focal point and leader for Jim Les’ squad. Pepper leads the team in scoring with an average of 20.1 ppg, rebounds with an average of 6.6 per game and assists with an average of 3.4 per game.
Sophomore guard Ty Johnson joins the Aggies as a transfer from Loyola Chicago. While he was a defensive specialist for the Ramblers, he’s moved into a bigger role with the Aggies. He’s second on the team in points with an average of 16.5 per game and he’s tied with Anigwe for second on the team in rebounds with an average of 5.5 per game. His defense has suffered either. He leads the team in steals with 23.
Sophomore Robby Beasley III transferred from Montana. He is the Aggies’ fourth starter averaging in double figures with 10.1 ppg. Beasley has the highest three-point percentage among the starters at 43.6%.
Junior Ade Adebayo rounds out the starting five and averages just 4.7 ppg while Kane Milling looks to be the first guy off the bench for Les. Milling averages 6.9 ppg.
Listen to the Game With TMB!
Today’s game will be on Pac-12 Networks with J.B. Long and Don MacLean calling the game. With today’s game being a 2 pm matinee, you’ll likely be following along while at work (unless you’re on the East Coast). If you can’t watch the game online, or just prefer to listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray, just be sure to right-click on it so that you can open up another tab and have it going while you chat in the comments below. Listen to today’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. UC Davis Aggies game thread. Here’s how to watch today’s game:
UCLA Basketball (10-2, 2-0)
Opponent: UC Davis Aggies (7-4)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 4-0
When: 2:00 pm PT, Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks National and Los Angeles with J.B. Long and Don MacLean
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clap clap!
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clap clap!
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clap clap!
U C L A Fight Fight Fight!
Bona!
Hi Doctor! Just tuned in!
Tygrrrr!
Lackluster start
Nice to see Nwuba looking comfortable taking that shot
Hi, Bruin Mama, I saw him get away with a travel a bit earlier but since he is inspired.
Nuba is hot!
Great blocking!
Sweet, Jaylen!
Clark with a tough shot. Get it to go down and then grabs a turnover and takes it to the basket!
At 5:23, Bruins finally lead 13-11.
Jaquez with the put back
Nice muscle score by Nwuba!
Nwuba taking the charge
Sweet, Jaylen again!
Good to see Canka on the court again
Not the Bruins we saw last week, but the backups are showing more hustle and performing!
Not a fan of this 2:00 time slot
As you know, I'll take it.
Yeah I knew you'd be loving it! :-)
Not the same intensity as the last 2 games, but it also looks like there’s a plan to use a lot of the bench.
Agreed. Love to see it. We are going to need every player developed.
Yeah, I feel like Cronin has learned something since last year where he limited rotations
This an opportunity.
Swat, Bona!
Block party!
How did Tyger even make that jumper?!
Jaylen Clack on another level
The improvement is incredible. He's put up 13 points so far.
Yo! Tygrrrr!
That was an elbow in Tyger's chest!
It is amazing how much the guy is manhandled and hardly ever gets a call.
33-21 Bruins over the Aggies at the half
Jaylen's got 13, Tyger 7 and Jaime 5. We're shooting 41% and have onl 3 turnovers. We're tied at 19 in rebs, Jaylen has 7.
And only 5 fouls
More minutes for Nwuba and Bona who have 1 between them!
Let's start the second half locked in!
Bailey buries the 2! And Clark hits the first 3 of the game1
First Bruin 3 of the game and Jaylen got it!
Clark with the block and 3!
Already upped the shooting percentage 5%!
Tyger has 9. Shot looking better!
And then hits a 3!
That last one was really pretty.
Downtown Pepper, clamp down on him!
We do not not want that guy to get open shots!
Bona wow just wow! Patience, poise and then jam!
He’s really developing a lot - will be interesting to see what he looks like come March
Wow Bona moved his feet!
Bailey has improved but still having growing pains with the transition from HS to D1
Great kick out by a bottled up Jaquez to Andrews
Very nice ball movement, so refreshing while still scarred from 'hero-ball'
Bailey with a 3 and then a steal
Bona, WHACK!
Game going as it should, and some new names are showing up.
It's time to see big Mac.
Yeah, he's been playing really well of late
Jaime!
Third time's the charm.
Tripleton!
Trippleton!
Sympathy foul?
Kinda looks like
Wow, Tygrr! Mick don't let anyone get hurt!
Let’s clear the starters
How many bumps did Singleton need to take there with no call??
big Mac, big Mac!
Bailey walked off but clearly in pain
Bruins are hitting the floor too often with a 25 point lead!
Truth!
And shooting nearly 50%
Beauty break!