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UCLA vs. Pepperdine: 5 biggest storylines for 2020-21 matchup

By Benjamin Zacher

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Chris Smith #5 of the UCLA Bruins while playing the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. UCLA won 75-72. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Chris Smith #5 of the UCLA Bruins while playing the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. UCLA won 75-72. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball
UCLA Bruins (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

UCLA takes on Pepperdine in a battle of west coast programs of opposite strengths.

Headlined by two of the top guards in college basketball, UCLA and Pepperdine – two dangerous west coast programs – will battle in a huge non-conference tilt on Friday, Nov. 27, with several noteworthy storylines and future aspirations on the line.

UCLA is recovering from a disappointing loss to reigning Mountain West regular-season champs San Diego State, 73-58.  Despite having three players tally double-digits, the Bruins were unable to continue the momentum that they ended last season with.

The Bruins were up-and-down last year, ending the season at 19-12 overall and, somehow, cementing themselves as an NCAA Tournament team despite an outrageously disappointing first few months of play.  After beginning the season 8-9, UCLA rallied to close out the year 11-3 in their final 14 games.

Pepperdine, meanwhile, is coming off a significant season-opening victory over reigning Big West regular-season champions UC Irvine, 86-72.  Multiple Waves players feasted on the Anteaters, with five players scoring double-digits and two more tallying eight apiece.

The Waves had a fairly solid season last year, going 16-16 and advancing to the WCC Tournament third round.  They were led by one of college basketball’s most sensational guards and were routinely a thorn in some premier teams’ sides – most notably, Gonzaga, on two occasions.

This will be a clash of contrasting styles and incredible floor generals – and could be the start of an exceptional season for either program.  Either way, there are a number of big storylines to note leading up to Friday’s match-up.

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