It’s been a strong non-conference for UCLA Basketball, who had won nine straight games before a two-point loss to North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic. But before they get back to league play, the Bruins take on Gonzaga in a neutral-site matchup in California.
The Bulldogs have won the last four battles between them, so UCLA will be trying to get some revenge for the recent thrilling defeats. Here’s a look at three keys for the Bruins to get the victory on Saturday.
1. Slow down Ryan Nembhard’s passing
Gonzaga is the No. 1 scoring offense in the country at 89.2 ppg, with an elite efficiency. The team has six double-digit scorers, but the most important player is Nembhard, who is averaging 11.8 ppg and 10.2 apg, leading the nation. When he’s dishing out assists to everyone, the Bulldogs are hard to stop. However, UCLA is one of the top perimeter defenses in the country, with guys such as Kobe Johnson and Skyy Clark as capable lockdown defenders. UConn held Nembhard to just seven assists in their win; if the Bruins can replicate that, they’ll have a good shot at winning.
2. Tyler Bilodeau vs Graham Ike
The leading scorers on both teams are their starting centers, with Ike averaging 15.5 ppg and 6.6 rpg, while Bilodeau is putting up 15.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg. The former Oregon State big man is coming off a career performance of 26 points on 5/6 shooting from deep against UNC and can spread the floor. However, his defense will be tested by not only Ike but also Braden Huff, who is second on the team with 12.7 ppg off the bench.
3. Avoid getting killed on the boards
Gonzaga is one of the best teams in the country in rebounding, averaging 41 rpg, and is good for the top 30 nationally against one of the top non-con schedules. UCLA isn’t awful, but they only grab 34 mpg, while ranking in the 300s in defensive rebounds.
Against a prolific offense like Gonzaga, UCLA can’t afford to give up second-chance opportunities, and Bilodeau isn’t much of a rebounder. Even if the quality defense of the Bruins slows them down, they gotta finish off the possession and keep the Bulldogs off the boards for 40 minutes.