The University of Arizona men’s basketball team is set to face No. 15 UCLA in Inglewood, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m. The Wildcats currently stand 3-0, including a major upset win over the University of Florida in their first game of the season. Similarly, the Bruins hold a 3-0 standing, defeating the University of West Georgia in their most recent matchup.
History vs. UCLA
Of 114 games played between the programs, Arizona has walked away with 50 wins and recorded 64 losses. Both teams have seen a majority of their wins come from home-court matchups, the Wildcats with 29 and the Bruins with 36. In UCLA’s home court, it will be a test for Arizona to break this history.
Bruins to watch
Mick Cronin heads into his seventh season as the program’s head coach. He has earned his spot in the role with 138 wins and just 64 losses over the course of the past six seasons. For three consecutive years, through 2021-2023, Cronin led the Bruins to a Sweet 16 or further appearance in the NCAA tournament, one of four programs in those years to do so.
Senior guard Donovan Dent leads UCLA with a 16.5 point average per game on the season. Shooting 44% from inside the perimeter, Dent is not only a valuable inside player and guard for the Bruins, but also a key leader for UCLA this season.
Tyler Bilodeau, a 6-foot-9 senior forward, is a key component of the Bruins’ lineup this season. He is effective all across the court, averaging 16.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. In his second year with UCLA, Bilodeau has moved into the role of a powerful player both inside and outside of the paint, shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc and 51.4% from inside.
Junior transfer from Michigan State University Xavier Booker is another example of power inside the key for the Bruins. A 6-foot-11 forward/center, Booker averages 11 points per game so far and leads the team with an average of six boards per game. Booker will be a tough contestant in the paint with his height and length, making it tough for guards to work their way in.
Wildcats to watch
Coming off an impressive and early three-game winning streak, head coach Tommy Lloyd prepares to face his big-time competitor UCLA. Lloyd has scouted countless talents, earning him a decorated career as coach of the Arizona basketball program. On the same note, several of his players have gone into the league, shaped by his program and coaching.
Motiejus Krivas, a 7-foot-2 junior center, will put up impressive efforts against UCLA’s Bilodeau and Booker inside the key. His advantage in height will allow him to slip shots over the top and try to gain the foul call. This season, Krivas averages 8 points per game and 6.3 boards. Coming off a season-ending injury last year, Krivas is stepping into the lineup hungry and aggressive.
Freshman forward Dwayne Aristode earned his name as an outside threat for Arizona in their most recent matchup over NAU, shooting 6-for-9 from the 3-point line. He led the game with 18 points and found back-to-back drains for Arizona. This will be key for the Wildcats moving forward as they look for players to hit shots from the perimeter.
Brayden Burries, freshman guard, is another key rotational player for the Wildcats. He is multi-functional, shooting from the outside as well as making impressive lay-ins inside and capable of drawing fouls. Burries has been consistent in the past matchups for Arizona, averaging 10 points per game, tallying five steals and seven assists.
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