Perimeter ball denial will be important against UCLA, as the Cats need to interrupt the passing lanes, while at the same time be aware that Ball is skilled enough to thread the ball into hard to defend spots near the hoop.
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LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 11 UCLA’s statement in its 97-92 win at No. 1 Kentucky on Saturday?
Said Monk, “It’s working for us good, so we’re going to keep it rolling”.
The Wildcats got a double-double from Bam Adebayo, who had 18 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman guard Lonzo Ball was named MVP of the Wooden tournament after averaging 15.7 points, 9.3 assists and four rebounds for UCLA. A Covington 3 in the final half-minute pulled Western Illinois to 78-76, but then Owens’ three-point play pushed the game out of reach. That’s the stretch that changed this game and forced Kentucky into a 12-point hole with 7:06 to play. “I feel like we can run with these guys”. “We did not have that past year”. “Going up and down with a great team, two powerhouses going at it”.
Kris Jenkins scored 20 points for the Wildcats. Freshman Dikymbe Martin was held to five points after scoring 15 against Utah last week. “They could bash us”. So you just hope it’s them and not you.
Senior Isaac Hamilton buried 5 of his 6 3-point attempts in the second half and led all scorers with 27. The Bruins responded with a 9-0 run and dominated the rest of the night, winning 87-77.
Not only was Ball a major player, but it was the guys who get less press than Ball who stepped up and played big for the Bruins.
Aside from Goloman and Anigbogu, UCLA also brings second-year guard Aaron Holiday off the bench. Ball fed Leaf for another dunk later in the half that made it 85-42. Aaron Holiday hits a three-pointer and UCLA grabs a 44-41 lead. Just as they did in beating Kentucky exactly one year ago at Pauley Pavilion. He stepped up late (finishing with 14 points and seven assists) but also turned the ball over six times and never really got into the rhythm we’ve seen this season. Martin is leading UC Riverside in scoring at 12.5 points per game. Their lone win came against Fresno Pacific.
UCLA granted that wish on Saturday in Rupp Arena. The game will be a barometer of where they stand against the nation’s best. And was there any substance on the Bruins’ roster outside of heavily hyped freshman point guard Lonzo Ball? With the three of them playing at Chino Hills high school, it was like watching a NBA All-Star Game where Kobe Bryant runs down the ball passing it behind the back to Stephen Curry who throws it off the backboard for Russell Westbrook to slam it down with one hand. Willis and Hawkins simply could not find any shots to take. “Just take what’s available and that’s what I did”. He has dished out double-digit assists in five of his eight games, creating opportunities for a team that is third in the country in points per game with 97.0. Watching the UCLA freshman play is kind of like watching Ben Simmons play in his freshman year at LSU, but 10x better. Markelle Fultz of the Washington Huskies, which is another Pac-12 school.
The difference in the game ended up being a pair of overlooked players.
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Scarier still for the college hoops field, Ball turned in only a decent effort by his own high standards Saturday – and UCLA still toppled the top-ranked Wildcats on their home floor. The Bruins upset them 87-77 previous year at Pauley Pavilion for the school’s first win over a No. 1 team since 2003.
