The No. 10 UCLA Bruins (12-1, 1-0 Pac-12) are nonetheless using on the energy of their Battle 4 Atlantis championship run from earlier than Thanksgiving. Within the span of three days, they defeated South Dakota State (presently No. 58 within the NET), Tennessee (No. 19 within the NET) and Marquette (RV, 4 factors) for 3 of their 4 greatest wins of the season. The opposite got here in nail-biter in opposition to crosstown rival USC (No. 43 within the NET) extra just lately (Dec. 15).
These are 4 high quality wins, however 75 % of them got here some time in the past and none had been over a crew that’s presently ranked. Maybe a extra telling side of UCLA’s resume is its one loss; it got here in opposition to No. 1 South Carolina by simply 9 factors on Nov. 29. The nationwide consensus appears to be that the Bruins, primarily based on that consequence, may have the ability to cling with anyone.
A few of UCLA’s numbers inform a special story although. Can it actually duplicate retaining it shut in opposition to the perfect groups within the nation when it struggles in sure classes, notably 3-point taking pictures? Its effectivity from lengthy vary is a poor 26.8 % (283rd within the nation).
The Bruins’ subsequent opponent, the Oregon Geese, could also be seven spots decrease within the rankings at No. 17, however they’ve some glorious numbers and are battle-tested having confronted three groups which can be presently ranked, in comparison with UCLA’s one. The Geese are 1-2 in these contests.
UCLA and Oregon (10-2, 1-0 Pac-12) meet Friday evening in Eugene at 9 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Community).
The Geese are second within the nation in each opponent free throw fee (10.1 %) and help/turnover ratio (1.68). So they’re among the many better of the perfect on the subject of not sending groups to the road and on the subject of working clean offense. Individually, Te-Hina Paopao is twelfth within the nation with an help/turnover ratio of two.82.
UCLA could have a concerningly-low 3-point share, however it has a celebrity who is aware of learn how to rating when it counts and Paopao and firm should cope with her. That may be Charisma Osborne. She is taking pictures simply 29.9 % from three, however averages a team-high 18.1 factors per recreation. She additionally averages a team-high 6.5 rebounds regardless of being the second-shortest participant on the roster as a 5-foot-9 guard.
The backcourt of Osborne and freshman Kiki Rice will likely be going up in opposition to the backcourt of Paopao and Endyia Rogers, the final of whom is tied for ninth within the nation with a 3-point share of fifty (26 makes). The conflict of those guard tandems ought to make for an epic Pac-12 showdown. Rice, the No. 2 ESPN Hoop Gurlz recruit, is taking pictures simply 3-of-21 from distance, however has phenomenal distributing abilities and is simply going to get higher as a shooter.
The frontcourt stars are freshman Grace VanSlooten and Phillipina Kyei for Oregon and Emily Bessoir for UCLA. VanSlooten leads the Geese with 16.3 factors per recreation to associate with her 6.8 boards. In the meantime, Kyei (8.6 factors and 11.3 rebounds per recreation) creates a mismatch as she is 6-foot-8 and the Bruins’ three tallest gamers, together with Bessoir, are all 6-foot-4.
Sport info
No. 10 UCLA Bruins (12-1, 1-0 Pac-12) vs. No. 17 Oregon Geese (10-2, 1-0 Pac-12)
When: Friday, Dec. 30 at 9 p.m. ET
The place: Matthew Knight Area in Eugene, OR
Tips on how to watch/pay attention: Pac-12 Community/Pay attention (UCLA) or Oregon Sports activities Community or The Varsity Community or GoDucks Audio
Key to the matchup: UCLA’s protection. Oregon has the benefit in most classes. It has slight edges in rebound and turnover margin and is manner forward in discipline purpose share and 3-point share. UCLA is the higher defensive crew; it has to have a superb evening on that facet of the ball to make up for its offensive disadvantages. The Bruins enable simply 57.1 factors per recreation (fortieth within the nation) and simply 35.4 % taking pictures from the sector (twenty seventh within the nation).
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