<div align="center"> v. </div> <u>Probable Starters UCLA</u> F - Cedric Bozeman F - Luc Richard Mbah a Moute C - Ryan Hollins G - Jordan Farmar G - Arron Afflalo <div align="center"></div> <u>Probable Starters Nevada</u> F - Nick Fazekas F - Mo Charlo C - Chad Bell G - Lyndale Burleson G - Kyle Shiloh <div align="center"></div> <u>Game Preview</u> UCLA has never lost to Nevada and hold a 3-0 record against them All-Time. The Bruins only loss came against a ranked Memphis Tigers team, and overall the Bruins have struggled from numerous injuries to key players. Josh Shipp has yet to play this season, and Jordan Farmar returns fresh off an ankle injury. The dynamic duo of Farmar and Arron Afflalo will lead the attack against Nick Fazekas and the Wolfpack. The Bruins have to control the tempo and score easy baskets in transition. Easy baskets will allow the Bruins to set their defense and focus on stopping Fazekas. He's been a one man army for the Wolfpack averaging 20 PPG, including a career high 35 points against Kansas. The Wolfpack struggled with the speed and athleticism of the Jayhawks. The Bruins are equally quick and athletic as Kansas, especially in the backcourt, plus the Bruins have experience. The key for the Bruins will be keeping the ball in Farmar's hands. When he can run the offense and be the primary decision maker, good things happen. The Bruins have been a better second half team all season. The slow starts have been a concern for head coach, Ben Howland. He wants more consistency from his young team, especially on the defensive end. Prediction: The Bruins usually play to the level of their competition and I expect them to beat Nevada today. Edit: Sessions came back for injury for Nevada to start today instead of Burleson.
UCLA is on a big run led by Jordan Farmar. He's been terrorizing the Nevada backcourt and has his inside-outside game going for him. The Bruins are dominating the points in the paint 18-6, must coming on layups. Nick Fazekas hasn't done much and has been ineffective once UCLA turned up the tempo. He's sucking wind already. Bruins lead 33-24 at the half. The duo of Farmar and Afflalo have taken over the game for the Bruins. Not a good position for Nevada right now, because the Bruins usually turn it up in the 2nd half.
UCLA wins 67-56, and a dominating performance by Jordan Farmar. He finished with 24 points on 10/13 shooting, best PG in the nation? Big win for the Bruins beating a top 20 team and bringing their record to 7-1.
UCLA really needed a big win like this and i'm happy to see them get it. Once they get Shipp back, they should be a force to be reckon with. Farmar, Afflalo, and Shipp is arguably the best backcourt in all of america, IMHO...
Great preview shape This was a big win for UCLA if they want to go to a final four. Winning over a top 25 team is great for the young players confidence. Farmar and Affalo had their usual nights to led UCLA to a W.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting C.K.:</div><div class="quote_post">Great preview shape This was a big win for UCLA if they want to go to a final four. Winning over a top 25 team is great for the young players confidence. Farmar and Affalo had their usual nights to led UCLA to a W.</div> I'm not sure UCLA deserves consideration for a Final 4 appearence yet. They certainly have the talent once Shipp comes back. However, UCLA is their own worse enemy in the sense they have let down games against lower level competition. They're one of those teams capable of getting a 2 seed and then getting upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Right now the goal should be winning the Pac-10.
