The West Georgia Wolves enter Monday night’s matchup at 1-1, fresh off a dominant 120-83 win over Huntingdon.
Wolves Hoping to Hold Their Own in Los Angeles
The Wolves poured in 69 points in the first half alone and cruised behind the strong play of Josh Smith, who finished with 26 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Their first test of the season came against Nebraska, where they trailed by just five at halftime before being outscored 56-28 in the second half. Forward Shelton Williams-Dryden has been a steady contributor so far, averaging 16.5 points per game on 45 percent shooting. Kolten Griffin adds another dimension with his playmaking, dishing out 4.5 assists per contest.
West Georgia joins the Atlantic Sun this season, and the conference has started strong with nine of its twelve teams already earning a victory. After this tough test at UCLA, the Wolves return home to host The Citadel.
Bruins Focused on Staying Sharp Before Conference Clash
For UCLA, this game represents a chance to stay focused before an early-season showdown with Arizona later in the week. Mick Cronin’s squad has handled business through two home wins over Eastern Washington and Pepperdine, showing flashes of the balance that could make them a Big Ten contender.
Xavier Booker led the Bruins with 15 points in their last outing, one of four players to score in double figures. Point guard Donovan Dent has been the catalyst so far, averaging 16.5 points and 6.5 assists through two games. UCLA’s offense is averaging 77 points per game, while holding opponents to 68.5.
Now in their second season as members of the Big Ten, the Bruins are part of a conference that opened the year with a dominant 32-1 record, with Maryland the only team to suffer a loss.
Prediction: Bruins Stay Steady in Comfortable Win
Some UCLA fans might be concerned about the margin of victory early in the year, but the Bruins are doing exactly what they need to, winning games and building rhythm. With depth, defensive intensity, and home-court advantage, they should have little trouble taking care of business Monday night.
Prediction: UCLA 85, West Georgia 55