Arizona Basketball returns to Action in Pac-12 Showdown with UCLA

The Arizona Basketball team (19-5, 9-2) returns to Pac-12 action in Tucson, with a big game versus rival UCLA Bruins (16-7, 7-4).

It was a tough week for the Arizona Basketball team, as the Wildcats lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Washington Huskies in Seattle last week. However, it is a new week, with a chance to rebound and build on the current success of this season.

This is perhaps the biggest week of the season for the Wildcats thus far. The LA schools come to Tucson thinking upset, and with the defensive struggles the Wildcats have had, the challenge ahead should be a big one.

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First on the list is UCLA. The UCLA Bruins are a bit down this year compared to last season, but that does not mean that they’re not talented.

At 16-7 (7-4), the Bruins are finally starting to hit their stride, and perhaps at a good time. Winners of three-straight, including wins over Stanford and USC, we’re sure that this game will be a tough one for Arizona.

The Bruins have been getting exceptional play from their veterans, specifically from Thomas Welsh and Aaron Holiday of late. We see that trend continuing on Thursday evening.

Arizona needs to put the Washington loss behind them quickly, and need to figure out a way to get better defensively, and fast. Both teams this week have good offenses, and could lead to some shootout-type games.

UCLA Profile

Most Likely Line-up for the Bruins

G Aaron Holiday, 6-1, Jr., (19.2 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 5.4 Ast)

G Jaylen Hands, 6-3, Fr., (11.1 Pts, 4.0 Reb, 3.1 Ast)

G Prince Ali, 6-3, So., (9.5 Pts, 2.7 Reb, 1.5 Ast)

G/F Kris Wilkes, 6-8, Fr., (13.8 Pts, 5.3 Reb, 1.5 Ast)

F/C Thomas Welsh, 7-0, Sr., (13.0 Pts, 10.3 Reb, 1.5 Ast)

Top reserves: F Gyorgy Goloman (6.9 Pts, 4.1 Reb, 1.2 Ast), F Alex Olesinski (4.9 Pts, 4.0 Reb) and G Chris Smith (4.4 Pts, 2.0 Reb).

Strengths:

Talent and athleticism: The Bruins are talented. Ignore the earlier losses this season, UCLA has talent, and typically is one of the best teams in the Pac, and it was just a matter of time before this team started to get things going. Now into the second half of Pac-12 play, they perhaps are starting to hit their stride.

Their line-up is quite solid! They get good play from their bevvy of talented guards, and Welsh is very active out on the perimeter, able to knock down threes with consistency. It will be interesting to see how the Wildcats defend that.

Weaknesses:

Defense- Much like Arizona, this is where the Bruins struggle. They give an average of 75.8 points per game, which is worse than the Wildcats this season. What they have in good offensive production, the Bruins struggle to put together solid, consistent, defensive performances.

Arizona should be able to exploit this, but the Wildcats need better effort and intensity to slow down the Bruins’ potent offense.

Game Analysis:

This going to be a tough game for Arizona. Bruins are the last team to beat Arizona in Tucson, and while this is a different team than from last year, they undoubtedly have talent. UCLA is playing well, and after wins over Stanford and USC, their confidence is riding high.

They have the athletes to win, and should the Wildcats have another slow start like they did at Washington, that could spell trouble.

However, we see a much more focused Wildcat team this week, and one that plays with a bit more emotion. Arizona is favored by nine, and while that spread may be a bit high, we anticipate this one being a bit closer, with the Wildcats holding on in the end.

Arizona 85 UCLA 81

Listen to Sean Miller as the team preps for UCLA

Must Read: More on Arizona Basketball

At Zona Zealots, we’re hopeful the Wildcats can have a successful week, starting against the Bruins! Bear Down, Arizona!

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