Tonight’s game against Utah may be the most important game of the season. That’s because a win by UCLA tonight will increase the Bruins’ lead in the Pac-12 conference standings to a full two games with three games left to play. In fact, the Bruins can clinch at least a share of the regular season title with wins tonight and on Sunday against Colorado.
If the Bruins win tonight and Southern Cal loses to Colorado, it would guarantee the team a first round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament.
There is no question that the Mountain road trip may be the hardest one in the entire conference because of the physical demands playing at altitude has on teams and players. It’s probably a factor in Utah’s 11-3 record at home and Colorado’s 11-2 record in Boulder.
So, while UCLA easily defeated the Runnin’ Utes in Pauley last month, they will need to make sure they are focused on the game at hand tonight.
Since visiting Westwood, the Utes have gone an unremarkable 5-5. What is remarkable, however, is their 4-1 home record since playing the Bruins. Their only home loss came at the hands of Stanford while their road losses came against Southern Cal, Oregon, and both Arizona schools.
The only win which really stands out was the Runnin’ Utes’ 25-point blowout of Washington, 86-61.
They’ve been without Madsen for the entire month of February and have had to rely on sophomore Lazar Stefanovic in his place.
Stefanovic has played well in Madsen’s absence. In fact, he’s nearly made up for the loss of Madsen by averaging 10.5 points per game.
But who Utah coach Craig Smith will turn to to fill Worster’s shoes remains to be seen. It looks like he will Wilguens Exacte, Jr or Keba Keita as they are the only non-starters averaging more than 10 minutes per game., but the loss of Worster will likely cost the Utes about 5 or 6 points as Exacta and Keita are only averaging 4.0 and 3.0 ppg, respectively.
In fact, without Madsen and Worster, tonight’s game certainly becomes a bit easier for UCLA, at least on paper. Let’s just hope that it plays out that way on the court.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Tonight’s game will be on Fox Sports 1 with Tim Neverett and Bill Herenda. If you prefer, you can 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. Utah Utes game thread. Here’s how to watch tonight’s game:
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Excited for tonight! Will have to follow along thru stats. I do believe our team is one of the best, if not the best, conditioned teams in the country, so I def think we’ll be able to run with them. Will have to cut down on mistakes and play with energy and effort to pull out the win
Go Bruins! And big props to our east coasters on the late night!
Gotta love a conference scheduling tip off at 11pm ET for one of its top teams that is fighting for national respect and protected seeding in the Tourney.
Hey everybody, we just finished some takeout food on a rainy, chilly night. Go get them, bruins. Spare no one ! Take no prisoners also ! Let's wipe them out !!!
U clap clap!
Excited for tonight! Will have to follow along thru stats. I do believe our team is one of the best, if not the best, conditioned teams in the country, so I def think we’ll be able to run with them. Will have to cut down on mistakes and play with energy and effort to pull out the win
Go Bruins! And big props to our east coasters on the late night!
Gotta love a conference scheduling tip off at 11pm ET for one of its top teams that is fighting for national respect and protected seeding in the Tourney.
Why is Bona wearing a mask?
Anyone having trouble getting the stats or is it just me?
Hey everybody, we just finished some takeout food on a rainy, chilly night. Go get them, bruins. Spare no one ! Take no prisoners also ! Let's wipe them out !!!
Let's go!!!
Tyger finds the basket early!
Yay, Jaime1 We got points!
Jaylen! 6-2 Bruins!
Bona got the charge call
Bona takes the charge!
Nice D Bona!
Bona playing great defense early. They had their big man go at him on their first 3 possessions, too
Is nwuba still out?
It is high time for our killer's instincts to kick in. No more nice guys !!!!!!!!!!!!
McClendon in before singleton…
Smooth as silk, Jaime !
Bailey! nice ball movement!
McClendon got beat badly on his last foul. gotta move his feet better
Bona playing D with his feet instead of reaching.
Nwuba is in so he must be good!
Bruins slow to the 50/50 balls again
Haha ..... You put on a show, Jaime !!
Afternoon everyone! Good to see the Bruins off to a reasonable start
Wow Jaquez just got great separation and swish!
I am a little behind. Loved the charge taken by Bona
I don’t like ucla playing the press… they aren’t good at it… maybe why they’re practicing
Suweet, Jaime for 2!
No intensity on defense
Jaquez has several games in a row where his shot looks great. Hopefully that goes well for rest of season. He is on!!!
Gonna be a tough weekend, hope they can take both games
Nice 2 by Andrews.
The last thing I want is another close win when we engineer it ourselves.
Jaquez move about like he owns the court. So smooth at getting a great shot. All swishes tonight.
Love Cronin calling out the March Madness committee!
Bona !!!
Bona with the 2 hand jam!
We need that ferocious, no holds barred killer instinct !!!!!
Intensity on D needs to be turned on. It is off right now.
Good foul, Bona !
Oh Bona let them have the basket and stay in the game, pls!!
I think we need to better on TV be boards - looks like we’re getting out rebounded
Tyger with the 3!
A laser guided three pointer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 Tygrrrr!
Way to respond!
Wow what a lob to Bona!
Throw it down, young man!!