Key Players
Solomon Hill, Arizona
The sophomore had his quietest game of the year, scoring just five points against Washington State last Saturday. Against UCLA small forward Tyler Honeycutt, Hill needs to be the aggressor and make the future NBA prospect work on the defensive end.
Oh, and Hill will need to keep tabs on Honeycutt by staying in front of him, and not letting the fellow sophomore slash to the hoop and draw fouls on UA’s Derrick Williams.
Reeves Nelson, UCLA
Neither the most athletic nor the tallest player on the floor, Nelson’s never-ending motor helps him leads the Bruins at 13.9 points and eight rebounds per game. Hitting the offensive boards, Nelson can help UCLA steal a huge road victory.
His physicality can also aide in muzzling UA’s Williams.
Arizona wins if …
Williams receives some help.
He’ll have his hands full with either 305 pound center Joshua Smith or dirt-working forward Nelson on both ends of the floor, and as seen at Washington, Williams can’t do it all by himself. Another Wildcat needs to score the ball.
UCLA wins if …
The Wildcats can’t match the Bruins’ energy.
Three of UCLA’s best frontline players in Smith, Honeycutt and Nelson average at least seven rebounds per game and guard Malcolm Lee is the defensive force that helps silence opposing guard play.
Fast facts
- The game against the Bruins will be televised on ESPN2, and commentators Rece Davis and Jay Bilas will have the call.
- Not the same rivalry as it used to be, the last six meetings between the two teams has seen the perfect competitiveness. UCLA and UA average the same number of points per game (72.3) with a split record of 3-3.
- At home, Arizona is shooting 40 percent from 3-point range while holding visiting teams to 27 percent.
- The Wildcats are 11-0 at home.
— Kevin Zimmerman
