What The Kentucky Wildcats can Expect from The UCLA Bruins
Kentucky Basketball is set to take on the UCLA Bruins in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. What can the Cats expect from Steve Alford’s squad?
The Kentucky Basketball program has made a name for themselves with their success in the NCAA Tournament. This version of John Calipari’s Cats have entered the Sweet Sixteen in hopes of claiming another national championship. This time, the Wildcats will be forced to get through the UCLA Bruins. UCLA is 31-4 on the season.
With losses to Oregon, USC and two losses to Arizona, Steve Alford’s group is for real. All losses were to NCAA Tournament teams. two of the three teams are still alive and playing in the Sweet Sixteen other than USC who lost a heartbreaker to Baylor in the Round of 32. The Bruins are going to be the toughest task the Cats have faced to date.
December 3, 2016
In a matchup at Rupp Arena back in December of this season, the Kentucky Wildcats welcomed the UCLA Bruins to a game of historic significance. In the contest, the Bruins were able to pull away late in the game for a 97-92 victory. The win snapped a 42 game home winning streak at Rupp Arena for Kentucky. Senior Isaac Hamilton led the scoring train in the previous game with 19 points for the Bruins. It comes as no surprise that Malik Monk’s 24 points led the way for the Wildcats.
A Matchup of Historical Proportion
UCLA and Kentucky are two of the prolific programs in all of college basketball. The Bruins lay claim to 11 national championships behind Coach John Wooden’s years and Kentucky has won eight championships. The two programs are one and two on the list of all time NCAA Titles.
This season, both teams boast many NBA Draft prospects. Most notably, Lonzo Ball and Malik Monk highlight the field of stars for both teams. The NBA will most likely pay attention to this matchup as about six players from this game could hear their names called at the conclusion of the NBA season.
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What to Expect
Kentucky has not played their best basketball so far in the NCAA Tournament. That is an obvious statement. With closer than comfort wins against Northern Kentucky and Wichita State, this Kentucky team is due for a breakout game.
UCLA is stacked with young talent as well as veteran contributions. Obviously, the marquee name for the Bruins is Lonzo Ball. Ball is averaging nearly eight assists per game. He is the type of player that makes his whole team better. He is efficient at finding the open man on the floor which is a great tool to have in your arsenal.
Although he averages just 14.7 points per game, the freshman can light it up if he needs to. Ball is a stat sheet stuffer as the guard also pulls down about six rebounds per game as well. We’ve all heard about the kid as his dad has made himself famous for pretty much being a loud mouth picking fights with the likes of Charles Barkley. Some of the things he has said are quite comical, but let’s not go there today.
The underrated player that gets overlooked a lot is TJ Leaf. At 6-foot-10, Leaf is another star freshman that actually leads the scoring charge for the Bruins. UCLA has six players that average double figures in the scoring column. As it shouldn’t come as a surprise, the Bruins score a lot of points throughout their games. The total is nearing the 90 point mark at this point in the season. A lot of firepower is coming out of Los Angeles headed into Memphis this weekend. Kentucky better be ready to lace them up and get ready to guard the ball as this emphatic offense is looking for a step to the Elite Eight.
Other Players to Watch
Bryce Alford is another name to keep an eye on. UCLA’s second leading scorer and coach’s son is a three point shooter that loves to put on a show. Alford is a gritty player that can put the ball in the basket. The Senior has had multiple games that he tallied more than 25 points including a 30 point performance against Pacific to start the season. Alford also lit up the books with a 37 point game at Colorado.
Isaac Hamilton is a consistent solid guard that plays stiff defense. Hamilton can put the ball in the basket as much as he needs to. He averages 14 points per game which is a great stat to have on a roster full of scorers. Sophomore Aaron Holiday (12.5 PPG) and Junior seven-footer Thomas Welsh (10.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG) are also key contributors to the Bruins’ successful season. Welsh will be difficult to defend as his length and athleticism may be a mismatch for Bam Adebayo and Isaac Humphries.
Kentucky’s Keys to the game
The Wildcats must show up and play hard nosed defense. The one thing that has to happen in order for the Cats to pull out the win is Malik Monk has to score more than 25 points. Kentucky has been missing a scoring threat outside of De’Aaron Fox. Monk will need to step up.
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Bam Adebayo needs to keep crashing the glass and stay out of foul trouble. Dominique Hawkins will be called upon to shut UCLA’s quick guards down. If Kentucky does anything on Friday, they must play the best defensive game of the season.