Scouting UCF’s opponent in the NCAA Tournament: UCLA
Ace UCF prepares for his or her first journey to the NCAA Basketball Tournament since the 2018-19 season, the Knights know they’ve a problem forward of them.
UCLA was projected to be a contender in the Big Ten when the season started, however struggles on the boards and on protection noticed the group end close to the center of the pack in the convention. Still, the Bruins did sufficient to search out themselves as a No. 7 seed once they confronted 10th-seed UCF in Philadelphia on Friday.
Here is what it is advisable learn about the Bruins and the sport as they tackle the Knights:
Record: UCLA is 23-11 (UCF is 21-11)
Latest Line: UCLA by 5.5 factors
Coaches: Mick Cronin is 161-75 at UCLA, 526-246 general (Johnny Dawkins is 189-131 at UCF, 345-246 general).
Matchups: This is the first assembly between the two applications. … Johnny Dawkins holds a 2-4 general file towards Mick Cronin, who beforehand coached at Cincinnati. …This is the sixth journey to the NCAA Tournament for UCF, with the Knights holding a 1-5 general file. …UCLA is making its 54th look in the NCAA Tournament in the program’s 107-year historical past. The Bruins have claimed 11 National Championships throughout that point.
Starting lineup: Tyler Bilodeau (17.6 ppg., 5.6 rpg.), Skyy Clark (11.7 ppg.), Eric Dailey (11.3 ppg., 5.8 rpg.), Donovan Dent (13.5 ppg., 7.6 apg.) and Trent Perry (12.7 ppg.).
Season breakdown: UCLA was picked to complete third in the Big Ten when the season began, however dropped a trio of non-conference video games to No. 5 Arizona, California and No. 8 Gonzaga. The Bruins stumbled out of the gate to start out the Big Ten schedule with early losses to Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio State. Back-to-back losses to ranked Michigan and Michigan State have been setbacks in the center of convention play earlier than the group completed the season by profitable 4 of their final 5 video games. The group superior to the convention event semifinals with wins over Rutgers and Michigan State, earlier than shedding to Purdue.
Player to look at: When Donovan Dent joined UCLA in the offseason, there have been excessive hopes for the senior level guard. Coming off a standout 12 months in New Mexico, the place he was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year after main the league with a median of 20.4 factors per sport, expectations have been understandably lofty. However, early on, struggles and accidents led to frustration from Cronin and the Bruins’ fanbase. Despite the rocky begin, Dent has managed to show issues round, recording 10 video games with double-digit factors and assists. He left the sport towards Purdue with a calf pressure, however is anticipated to be again for the NCAA Tournament.
Matchup to look at: Forward Tyler Bilodeau led the Bruins in scoring, averaging 17.6 factors and 5.6 rebounds per sport, incomes the distinction of being an All-Big Ten choice. While the Bilodeau missed UCLA’s quarterfinal matchup with Purdue with a knee pressure, Cronin believes the senior will likely be prepared for the group’s first-round matchup with UCF.
X-factor to look at: This one might come right down to the battle of the boards. UCF ranks 103rd in the nation in rebounds per sport with 37.2, whereas UCLA ranks 411th general whereas averaging 32.3. The Knights are 0-9 this season when outrebounded in a sport. To accomplish that, the Bruins will want forwards Eric Dailey Jr., Xavier Booker and Bilodeau to dominate in the paint.
When is the sport? 7:25 pm, Friday
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia
TV: TBS
Please discover me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. E-mail: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly publication for a roundup of all our UCF protection.
