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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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Colbey Ross Pepperdine Waves (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Colbey Ross Pepperdine Waves (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

1. For the first time in their four-year careers, two of basketball’s best guards will go head-to-head

Friday’s match-up will feature two of the top guards in all of college basketball in UCLA’s Chris Smith and Pepperdine’s Colbey Ross.  Both seniors who lead their team in scoring and assists, Smith and Ross are beginning the 2020-21 season in the national spotlight, with both being named to the 2021 Naismith Trophy watchlist for the National Player of the Year.

Smith‘s path to this position has been an uphill climb, to say the least.  He averaged just 3.9 points his freshman season – but was the only player to average double-digits in his junior season last year.  At 13.1 a game, Smith also ranked second on the team in rebounding with over five rebounds per game.  His efforts garnered him Pac-12 Most Improved Player honors at the end of the year.

Smith’s leadership and production was a significant cause for UCLA’s redemption arc last season.  His 30 points against Colorado – a career-high – was the catalyst for the Bruins’ turnaround season.  In total, Smith tallied six double-digit performances in those ten games – including a 23-point, 13-rebound double-double display against Washington State.

Contrarily, Ross has been in the spotlight since his first year, when he led all freshmen in scoring (14.0 points) and assists (5.6 assists).  After an All-WCC First Team sophomore season, Ross repeated that honor last year, cementing himself as one of college basketball’s best players by averaging 20.5 points and 7.2 assists – the only player in Div. I to average those numbers.

This past season was nothing short of sensational for Ross.  He scored double-digits in 27 of Pepperdine’s 31 games, dished out double-digit assists in four games – and dished out less than five on just three occasions.

His season-ending battle against Saint Mary’s Jordan Ford in the WCC Tournament quarterfinals was one of the greatest head-to-head duels in recent basketball history.  In a game that Saint Mary’s won in double overtime behind Ford’s 42 points, Ross recorded a game-high 43 points on an insane shooting clip (13-29 FG, 7-13 3PT, 10-11 FT).

This game will ultimately come down to which guard can perform better.  Both have the potential of being explosive, and both will leave it all on the table for their final seasons.  Do not be surprised to see a 40-point performance between both guards.

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