UCLA vs. Marquette: 2020-21 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
The first game in a home-and-home series pits UCLA against Marquette in an opportunity for both to get a signature non-conference victory.
TV Schedule: Friday, December 11, 9:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network
Location: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
The Marquette Golden Eagles and UCLA Bruins are both looking for ways to break through during the 2020-21 season. It’s perfect timing for their home-and-home series to begin, especially after it was endangered by the Pac-12’s now-reversed decision to hold off on winter sports until after the calendar turned to 2021.
UCLA has the unfortunate distinction of hosting the series during the pandemic, when fan attendance will be virtually nonexistent. Those are the breaks, sometimes.
The Bruins enter the home tilt 4-1, coming off a dominant 20-point Pac-12 opening win over Cal and a drubbing of the WCC’s San Diego Toreros. Their one loss was a road game at San Diego State to open the season. The Bruins were favored in that one, but considering the lead-up to the season and the typical strength of the Aztecs, the loss is understandable (though a 15-point deficit isn’t great).
Chris Smith leads UCLA at 15.0 points per game, but the player to keep an eye on is Tyger Campbell. He’s a blur on the court and is one of the most fun players to watch in the league. Campbell is averaging 14.2 points and 6.8 assists per game, with the latter leading the Pac-12.
Marquette also enters the contest with some momentum. They are 4-1, with a big win over No. 4 Wisconsin capped off by a memorable tip-in at the buzzer. Their lone loss came at the hands of Cade Cunningham and the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Koby McEwen seems to be putting last year’s struggles behind him, averaging 16.6 points during his senior season. He did struggle against Wisconsin, though, scoring a season-low eight points against the Badgers.
This does have the feel of a trap game for the Golden Eagles. They are playing well, but this is the first time they’ve left the comfy confines of Fiserv Forum this year. It’s also the last game they have before starting Big East play, meaning there’s a dangerous chance Marquette is looking ahead to the meat of their schedule.
UCLA will not be having those same issues. They’ve already started conference play and they’re comfortable both home and away, sporting a perfect 3-0 record at Pauley Pavilion this season. They have Kentucky next at a neutral site.
A key factor in the game could be the play of Johnny Juzang, the Kentucky transfer who made his UCLA debut against San Diego after missing the beginning of the season with a stress reaction in his right foot. He scored 10 points in 19 minutes off the bench. The guard can be yet another weapon in Mick Cronin’s rotation.
Next. ACC/Big Ten Challenge takeaways. dark
This should be an entertaining game for both teams, who will be happy to take another resume booster. It could also be a preview of an 8-9 or 7-10 type game we can see in the NCAA Tournament, so long as these programs keeping scoring victories.
Prediction: UCLA 79, Marquette 68