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UCLA vs Michigan State: 2021 NCAA Tournament game preview, TV schedule

By Jacob Stevenson

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4 of the UCLA Bruins shoots a free throw during the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion on February 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4 of the UCLA Bruins shoots a free throw during the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion on February 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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TV schedule: Thursday, March 18, 9:57 pm ET (approx), TBS

Arena: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN

The UCLA Bruins have had an up and down season currently at 17-9 the Bruins got off to an impressive 12-2 start before losing 7 out of its last 12 and 4 in a row. Chris Smith, the best player on this UCLA team but has only played 8 games this year because of a torn ACL.

Recently they have missed Jalen Hill, he’s been out since February due to personal issues. Since then Mac Etienne a 2021 recruit joined the team midseason. It’s a super tough adjustment for high school kids to join midseason.

Not only is everyone they are playing against older than them, but for many players like current Gonzaga player Ben Gregg, they weren’t having a current high school season. So they have to get into game shape with everyone else around them in midseason form when these players normally join at semester.

Etienne hasn’t filled the production of Hill but judging his situation Etienne has done a fine job. Tyger Campbell UCLA’s point guard is a nice passer out of the pick and roll and is good getting to his floater. He was first-team all-league and is tied with McKinley Wright for the Pac-12 lead in assists. Johnny Juzang the Bruins leading scorer and Jaime Jaquez had to step up this year with the loss of Smith. Both of them were named 2nd team all-league.

UCLA has really struggled to defend in league play from the three-point line where they ranked 11th in the league. They also gave up the 2nd most amount of three-pointers in league play. But two things the Bruins did well defensively was not foul where their FTA/FGA rate was the 2nd best and they gave up the lowest offensive rebounding percentage in conference play.

That is especially important going into this Michigan State matchup. Michigan State was a pretty poor offensive team in league play ranking 13th overall in Big Ten play. But the two things they did well on offense were get fouled and offensive rebound where they ranked 5th in 4th respectfully. Against a team that turns the ball over a decent amount and doesn’t have very good shooters, the Bruins need to make sure to stay disciplined within their scheme and block out.

One area where the Spartans will have an advantage is one the wings. All-Big Ten forward Aaron Henry leads the team with 15.3 ppg and is a versatile player that’ll cause mismatches for the Bruins. There’s an overall athleticism that Michigan State has that UCLA simply doesn’t once Chris Smith went down and even if it ends up being an ugly game, has the bodies needed in case foul trouble occurs.

dark. Next. East Region preview

UCLA/Michigan State is gonna be a close game. Both teams are well-coached and play really hard. UCLA is in this position because of Hill leaving the team and an injury to Smith where Michigan State has just had a down year. I think Michigan State will be the winner of a hard-fought game,

Prediction: Michigan State 68, UCLA 64

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