In the second part of the CBS Sports Classic, Kentucky basketball and UCLA clash in a rematch of two of the best games from a year ago.
Matchup: Kentucky Wildcats (9-1) vs. UCLA Bruins (8-3)
Tip-time: Saturday, Dec. 23 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
TV Schedule: CBS
Arena: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Last season, the Bruins and the Wildcats both put on a show in the two games they played against one another. In non-conference play, UCLA came down to Rupp Arena and ended the 42-game home winning streak of Kentucky, 97-92. Kentucky ultimately got their revenge in March, though, winning 86-75 thanks to DeAaron Fox’s 39 points to advance to the Elite 8.
The vast majority of the players involved from a year ago are gone, so it’ll be a new batch of guys for Saturday’s game. For Kentucky, they just fended off the top scoring team in the country in Virginia Tech, 93-86. Kevin Knox led the team in scoring with 21 points while fellow freshman Hamidou Diallo was right behind with 20, thanks to four 3-pointers made.
One interesting thing to note has been the switch at point guard for UK, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting the last two starts over Quade Green. Credit to Green for taking the “demotion” in stride, contributing in the last game as a reserve with 17 points and five assists in 27 minutes.
While Kentucky has a lot of momentum in conference play, UCLA does not. After losing the previous two games, the Bruins survived South Dakota, 85-82 after trailing at halftime. Although five players scored double-figures, Thomas Welsh and Aaron Holiday were the catalysts in the close win. The senior Welsh had 19 points and 11 rebounds, while the junior point guard had 15 points, five boards, and five assists as well.
This game will likely depend on how the Wildcats handle both Welsh and Holiday. If neither has a particularly good game, it’s close to impossible for the Bruins to win this one since the team lacks the surrounding cast to keep up with one of the most potent offensive teams in the country.
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Neither team is very good defensively, so expect this game to be up there in points. Unless a couple of unsung heroes show up for Steve Alford, though, John Calipari just has too many weapons.
Prediction: Kentucky 92, UCLA 80