If you manage to stay up late through all of the Saturday CBB slate, your reward is one more top-25 battle, with UCLA going to Seattle to take on Gonzaga. Last year, the Bruins won against the Bulldogs and will be looking to make it two straight wins.
However, Gonzaga looks to be a sizable favorite given its quality wins, compared to UCLA’s inconsistent play in the first month of the season. Focusing on this matchup, here are some key storylines to watch.
1. Donovan Dent’s potential breakout game
One of the biggest transfers this offseason was UCLA landing Dent, who averaged 20.4 ppg and 6.4 apg at New Mexico and earned Mountain West Player of the Year honors. So far, the senior guard is producing 12 ppg and 6.4 apg, shooting just 36% from the field and making 1/13 of his three-point attempts.
On average, the Bruins have six double-digit scorers, and the balanced approach could benefit them long-term. But their star player still needs to get going on offense, and against better teams like the Bulldogs, Dent could need to go 20+ points to have a chance at the win.
2. Battle of the frontcourts
One strength UCLA has is a strong frontcourt, led by Tyler Bilodeau with 15.6 ppg and 4.7 rpg. Eric Dailey Jr. (11.8 ppg and 5.1 rpg) and Michigan State Xavier Booker (10.4 ppg and 5.1 rpg have also been good, with Steven Jameron II providing solid minutes as the backup five.
They go up against Gonzaga’s duo of Braden Huff (17 ppg) and Graham Ike (16.4 ppg and 8.1 rpg), one of the best scoring frontcourts in the nation. The Bulldogs currently lead the nation in scoring inside the arc and have wings such as Tyon Grant-Foster and Jalen Warley to contribute on the boards. The Michigan blowout loss showed that the Bulldogs' frontcourt can be slowed down; can the Bruins do the same?
3. Gonzaga’s PG situation
The Bulldogs' frontcourt is among the best in the nation, with the ball-handler position as the current question mark. Freshman guard Mario Saint-Supery (8.8 ppg and 5.0 rpg) and Braden Smith (3.7 ppg and 4.5 apg) have been splitting the minutes at the one-spot, with both having some ups and downs. Saint-Supery has been starting as of late and will be facing both Dent and Skyy Clark for the Bruins, which will be a tough test.
If Gonzaga gets 40 good minutes of play, regardless of who is on the court, it’ll go a long way toward getting another key non-con win.