Scouting UCLA
- Thread starter revcort
- Start date
Here's my honest take. They play our style and we are better at it, we are at home, we are deeper, we have the better coach, and they are west coast soft.
Not a chance UCLA wins in Rupp.
Not a chance UCLA wins in Rupp.
I'll second it. I know I'm going to get a good report here for each game.
I agree with the poster above about seeing their scoring drop by 20+ against aTm. The speed, length, and intensity on defense they will see Saturday is something they haven't seen yet.
I'm most intrigued about how Cal matches up defensively. I think Gabriel on Leaf, Briscoe primarily on Alford, Adebayo I guess on Welch(sp?). Willis could guard him, too. Fox on Ball, Monk on their leading scorer.
I just don't see how they can guard us at any of those matchups or any combination Cal throws out there during the game. They'll have to play zone at some point in the game.
This is a game Humphries could contribute in, he has some match ups that aren't athletic mismatches.
UCLA is a good team, the best UK has faced this season. It will be close but at Rupp the Cats pull away. I'm thinking 91-77.
I'm most intrigued about how Cal matches up defensively. I think Gabriel on Leaf, Briscoe primarily on Alford, Adebayo I guess on Welch(sp?). Willis could guard him, too. Fox on Ball, Monk on their leading scorer.
I just don't see how they can guard us at any of those matchups or any combination Cal throws out there during the game. They'll have to play zone at some point in the game.
This is a game Humphries could contribute in, he has some match ups that aren't athletic mismatches.
UCLA is a good team, the best UK has faced this season. It will be close but at Rupp the Cats pull away. I'm thinking 91-77.
Yes,Welsh was literally killing UK players in what would have been Flagrant Fouls anywhere but with that Homer Officiating crew at Pauley last year.Dude was throwing elbows like he was in a prize fight.
Hopefully the Cats can return the favor and physicality this weekend.[winking]
I noticed this in the game I watched. He is very nonchalant sometimes. He made several passes at the top of the arc out front to the wing (you know, the ones that Briscoe and Monk love to take to the other end) that were very lazy. I don't think enough emphasis is being put on the fact that, while we may not have played an offense of their caliber, they have played against no defense all season. I feel that they will score a few less points than what they are used to but not be able to hold us below our season average. Advantage Cats! The only area where I see them troubling us offensively is rebounding since they do defensive rebound well. If this becomes significant then it may bring our score down a little. I'll say they bring our average down 6 while we bring them down 20. UK 90 UCLA 77
I don't remember the elbows, but I remember him being more physical than anyone in our frontcourt.
Very, very impressed with the knowledge shown by the Kentucky fan base on this forum. Great discussions going on here about tomorrow's UCLA-Kentucky game and other college basketball stuff.
I think UCLA will come out firing early and hit some 3s, but I think Kentucky's D will be the difference in the game as it will clamp down and create havoc. While the game might be close at half, I think Kentucky will pull away in the second half. I hope I'm wrong and UCLA somehow eeks out a victory, but I have a hard time seeing it happen unless UCLA's defense steps up (which hasn't happened too often under Alford).
I think UCLA will come out firing early and hit some 3s, but I think Kentucky's D will be the difference in the game as it will clamp down and create havoc. While the game might be close at half, I think Kentucky will pull away in the second half. I hope I'm wrong and UCLA somehow eeks out a victory, but I have a hard time seeing it happen unless UCLA's defense steps up (which hasn't happened too often under Alford).
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Thanks for the input. I always appreciate hearing from fans of the other team. Welcome to Cats Illustrated. :smiley:
Keep UCLA to under 9-10 made threes and UK wins. If they hit 12+ then it is going to be a tough one.
Fox on Ball scares me as Ball is probably as fast and has 3+ inches on him. Bam should easily be able to negate goofy white guy as long as the refs let them play.
If Monk shows up offensively and (more importantly) defensively I don't see how UCLA wins.
Fox on Ball scares me as Ball is probably as fast and has 3+ inches on him. Bam should easily be able to negate goofy white guy as long as the refs let them play.
If Monk shows up offensively and (more importantly) defensively I don't see how UCLA wins.
If, by "goofy white guy", you are referring to Thomas Welsh...
UCLA now has another good "white guy" who can score inside...freshman T.J. Leaf...
Your 2 bigs will probably get a few points early, but I don't know that they will be prepared for the pace that this game will be. I know that you guys like to run too, but I think we can all agree that we are a little deeper and will likely be fresher towards the middle to late second half.If, by "goofy white guy", you are referring to Thomas Welsh...
UCLA now has another good "white guy" who can score inside...freshman T.J. Leaf...
I have to agree with you that Kentucky will likely be fresher towards the middle to late second half. At full strength, UCLA would have a 9 man rotation, but will be missing two key players due to injury. Prince Ali, who provides depth an athleticism in the backcourt (had a pretty nice drive and dunk in last year's UCLA-UK game) is still out. Also, Gyorgy Goloman, who provides depth in the front court, is also out. As a result, UCLA will likely rely on primarily a 7-man rotation (Ball, Hamilton, Alford, Leaf, Welsh, Holiday, Anigbogu) tomorrow with possibly a few minutes to Ikenna Okwarabizie (to give some of the bigs a rest).
Not that I'm making any excuses. Even with Prince Ali and Gyorgy Goloman, I still think UCLA would have an extremely difficult time winning tomorrow.
Hello Cats fans,
I'm another UCLA fan here hoping for a fun, well played, entertaining game that is decided by the players on the floor (and not the refs!).
As for my Bruins, I am not a big fan of Coach Alford, but he has done a great job in recruiting this current team. The team you will see tomorrow is significantly better than the one you faced in Pauley last season (and the one you humiliated in Chicago). Lonzo Ball is the real deal. Reminds me very much of a young Jason Kidd, and I really don't believe that's hyperbole on my part. He's supremely unselfish and not a guy that goes for the fancy pass - just the right one. He's the straw that stirs the drink. If he gets in foul trouble, UCLA is toast. He must play big minutes and he must play well for us to have a shot.
In addition to Ball, TJ Leaf is a huge upgrade from Tony Parker. Leaf has great feel, a great all around game, can finish around the rim as well as step out and knock down jumpers. And he's much more athletic than he looks. Stats aside, he's probably our second best player after Ball.
As you know, Alford and Hamilton are quality college guards despite their athletic limitations. Hamilton has a crafty old man's game that has you scratching your head at how he's just dropped 20 points. Alford is Alford. A defensive liability, but a guy who can get very very hot from 3 and seems to shine brightest in the biggest moments. As good as Ball is, Alford is the guy on this team who we want taking the last shot or at the line for FTs to ice a game. Against average opponents, these two can look great, but I think Kentucky's athleticism will frustrate them and I expect them to struggle tomorrow.
Aaron Holiday and Ike Anigbogu are athletic energy guys who play very good defense. Holiday can get streaky scoring the ball, but he often plays out of control. Anigbogu is easing his way into the college game after a preseason injury, but he's already making his mark on the defensive glass and as a shot blocker. I expect big things from Ike in the future, and he could have a major impact tomorrow if he can stay out of foul trouble. He has the size, athleticism and instincts to hang with the Kentucky bigs.
It's funny how one meeting can so alter your perception of a player, but that seems to be the case with Welsh and Kentucky fans. Last year's game was by the far the best Welsh has played in his career. Mostly, he's a weaker inside player, a little stiff compared to the other UCLA bigs, whose best attribute is spacing the floor with his 15-18 foot jumper. He is no threat to score in the post and is only a mediocre shot blocker for his size. He's probably the most JAG player of any of the major rotation players.
On a neutral court or in Pauley, I would consider this a coin-flip or maybe slight edge to UK. However, playing in Rupp, shorthanded (no GG or Prince Ali) and with the 9:30AM start time, I see this as likely a comfortable UK victory. I expect UCLA to have spurts to get the game in the 5-6 point range with UK ultimately pulling away for a 12-15 point victory margin. Though I hope I'm wrong about that!!!
Nachos
I'm another UCLA fan here hoping for a fun, well played, entertaining game that is decided by the players on the floor (and not the refs!).
As for my Bruins, I am not a big fan of Coach Alford, but he has done a great job in recruiting this current team. The team you will see tomorrow is significantly better than the one you faced in Pauley last season (and the one you humiliated in Chicago). Lonzo Ball is the real deal. Reminds me very much of a young Jason Kidd, and I really don't believe that's hyperbole on my part. He's supremely unselfish and not a guy that goes for the fancy pass - just the right one. He's the straw that stirs the drink. If he gets in foul trouble, UCLA is toast. He must play big minutes and he must play well for us to have a shot.
In addition to Ball, TJ Leaf is a huge upgrade from Tony Parker. Leaf has great feel, a great all around game, can finish around the rim as well as step out and knock down jumpers. And he's much more athletic than he looks. Stats aside, he's probably our second best player after Ball.
As you know, Alford and Hamilton are quality college guards despite their athletic limitations. Hamilton has a crafty old man's game that has you scratching your head at how he's just dropped 20 points. Alford is Alford. A defensive liability, but a guy who can get very very hot from 3 and seems to shine brightest in the biggest moments. As good as Ball is, Alford is the guy on this team who we want taking the last shot or at the line for FTs to ice a game. Against average opponents, these two can look great, but I think Kentucky's athleticism will frustrate them and I expect them to struggle tomorrow.
Aaron Holiday and Ike Anigbogu are athletic energy guys who play very good defense. Holiday can get streaky scoring the ball, but he often plays out of control. Anigbogu is easing his way into the college game after a preseason injury, but he's already making his mark on the defensive glass and as a shot blocker. I expect big things from Ike in the future, and he could have a major impact tomorrow if he can stay out of foul trouble. He has the size, athleticism and instincts to hang with the Kentucky bigs.
It's funny how one meeting can so alter your perception of a player, but that seems to be the case with Welsh and Kentucky fans. Last year's game was by the far the best Welsh has played in his career. Mostly, he's a weaker inside player, a little stiff compared to the other UCLA bigs, whose best attribute is spacing the floor with his 15-18 foot jumper. He is no threat to score in the post and is only a mediocre shot blocker for his size. He's probably the most JAG player of any of the major rotation players.
On a neutral court or in Pauley, I would consider this a coin-flip or maybe slight edge to UK. However, playing in Rupp, shorthanded (no GG or Prince Ali) and with the 9:30AM start time, I see this as likely a comfortable UK victory. I expect UCLA to have spurts to get the game in the 5-6 point range with UK ultimately pulling away for a 12-15 point victory margin. Though I hope I'm wrong about that!!!
Nachos
Good analysis by Nachos. I agree with most of it although I think Welsh should get a little more credit for his significantly improved shot-blocking skills (which were virtually non-existent a year ago).
You're right. I probably was a little harsh on Welsh. He's improving as a shot-blocker and he rebounds his area well. And his ability to hit that midrange shot is a unique skill for a 7 footer. I just wanted to paint a more realistic portrait of him for UK fans, since he seemed to be the second coming based on last year's game.
Haha! No worries. All in good fun. [laughing]Heck dude, he IS Tipton...[poop][sick]:flush: I am SO ashamed...I am sorry ILL.
Whew...thought I was banned. It WAS a banning offense for sure. You are a "sweetheart" (I won't tell anyone though.) Watch that Jedi guy...
I didn't realize that Prince Ali was out,if I remember correctly he gave UK fits last year as well.These goofy White Guy comments baffle me,White guys can play Basketball too and I never judge players by skin color.
It will be the first big test for UK's young team,Mich St should have been, but typically Izzo teams don't get it together until later anyway.I believe if the Cats play good defense and we have a game free of attention seeking officials that blow the whistle alot,they can win this by 10-15 points.
Here's to an injury free game.
It will be the first big test for UK's young team,Mich St should have been, but typically Izzo teams don't get it together until later anyway.I believe if the Cats play good defense and we have a game free of attention seeking officials that blow the whistle alot,they can win this by 10-15 points.
Here's to an injury free game.
Welsh man handled the cream
Puffs that made up UK's interior last year. The real question is who guards Briscoe. He is to strong for any of the Bruins guards. I see him creating foul trouble for UCLA. Who does Alford guard? UCLA is primarily a man team. I see Alford as struggling to guard any of UK's three guards. Leaf is not strong enough and Welsh is to slow to guard Bam. Leaf and Ball are great players and will give the Cats fits today but I think UK wins by 8
Puffs that made up UK's interior last year. The real question is who guards Briscoe. He is to strong for any of the Bruins guards. I see him creating foul trouble for UCLA. Who does Alford guard? UCLA is primarily a man team. I see Alford as struggling to guard any of UK's three guards. Leaf is not strong enough and Welsh is to slow to guard Bam. Leaf and Ball are great players and will give the Cats fits today but I think UK wins by 8
