The UCLA basketball team returns to action to face No. 1 Kentucky (11-0) on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic in Chicago. Game time is 12:30 p.m. (PT) at the United Center. The Bruins’ game against Kentucky will take place after North Carolina faces Ohio State (that game is slated to begin at 10 a.m. (PT).
GAME INFORMATION
Venue: United Center (20,917)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
Tipoff Time: 12:30 p.m. (PT)/2:30 p.m. (CT)
Television: CBS
TV Talent: Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Greg Anthony (analyst), Allie LaForce (reporter)
Radio: AM 570 (KLAC)
Radio Talent: Chris Roberts (play-by-play), Tracy Murray (analyst)
Sirius Satellite Radio: Channel 136
Sirius XM Radio: Channel 204
Venue: United Center (20,917)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
Tipoff Time: 12:30 p.m. (PT)/2:30 p.m. (CT)
Television: CBS
TV Talent: Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Greg Anthony (analyst), Allie LaForce (reporter)
Radio: AM 570 (KLAC)
Radio Talent: Chris Roberts (play-by-play), Tracy Murray (analyst)
Sirius Satellite Radio: Channel 136
Sirius XM Radio: Channel 204
LISTEN LIVE
UCLA’s game against No. 1 Kentucky at the United Center in Chicago this Saturday (12:30 p.m. PT) will be broadcast live on the UCLA Sports Network from IMG College on AM 570 (KLAC), the flagship home of UCLA Athletics. The pregame show kicks off at 12 p.m. Chris Roberts and former UCLA basketball standout Tracy Murray will have the call, live from the United Center. Fans can also listen to the audio broadcast by using the TuneIn radio app (click here). UCLA's game will also have a national radio broadcast by Westwood One Sports (Gary Cohen and Alaa Abdelnaby will have the call).
UCLA’s game against No. 1 Kentucky at the United Center in Chicago this Saturday (12:30 p.m. PT) will be broadcast live on the UCLA Sports Network from IMG College on AM 570 (KLAC), the flagship home of UCLA Athletics. The pregame show kicks off at 12 p.m. Chris Roberts and former UCLA basketball standout Tracy Murray will have the call, live from the United Center. Fans can also listen to the audio broadcast by using the TuneIn radio app (click here). UCLA's game will also have a national radio broadcast by Westwood One Sports (Gary Cohen and Alaa Abdelnaby will have the call).
SATURDAY’S GAME
UCLA has won four of its last five games, most recently losing to No. 9-ranked Gonzaga, 87-74, on Saturday, Dec. 13. UCLA has not faced Kentucky since Nov. 21, 2006, when the Bruins earned a 73-68 win against the Wildcats in each team’s second game of the 2006 Maui Invitational (UCLA was ranked No. 5, and Kentucky No. 20). The Bruins last played in Chicago on Nov. 21, 1996 (versus Illinois at the United Center).
UCLA has won four of its last five games, most recently losing to No. 9-ranked Gonzaga, 87-74, on Saturday, Dec. 13. UCLA has not faced Kentucky since Nov. 21, 2006, when the Bruins earned a 73-68 win against the Wildcats in each team’s second game of the 2006 Maui Invitational (UCLA was ranked No. 5, and Kentucky No. 20). The Bruins last played in Chicago on Nov. 21, 1996 (versus Illinois at the United Center).
FUTURE MATCHUPS
UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina and Ohio State will also compete in the CBS Sports Classic in 2015 and 2016. Next season, UCLA faces North Carolina at the Barclays Center (Brooklyn) on Dec. 19, 2015. The Bruins will take on Ohio State at the MGM Grand Garden Arena (Las Vegas) on Dec. 17, 2016. The Bruins and Wildcats are set to face off with a home-and-home series the following two seasons. UCLA will host Kentucky in Pauley Pavilion for the first time ever on Dec. 3, 2015. The next season, the Bruins will play their first-ever game at Rupp Arena versus Kentucky (scheduled for Dec. 3, 2016).
UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina and Ohio State will also compete in the CBS Sports Classic in 2015 and 2016. Next season, UCLA faces North Carolina at the Barclays Center (Brooklyn) on Dec. 19, 2015. The Bruins will take on Ohio State at the MGM Grand Garden Arena (Las Vegas) on Dec. 17, 2016. The Bruins and Wildcats are set to face off with a home-and-home series the following two seasons. UCLA will host Kentucky in Pauley Pavilion for the first time ever on Dec. 3, 2015. The next season, the Bruins will play their first-ever game at Rupp Arena versus Kentucky (scheduled for Dec. 3, 2016).
MOVING ALONG
The Bruins have opened the season with an 8-3 record, playing 11 games in a 30-day span. In comparison, UCLA will play just six games over its next 30-day span (four games away from home). Last Saturday evening in Pauley Pavilion, No. 9 Gonzaga defeated UCLA, 87-74. Bryce Alford scored a team-leading 23 points, connecting on 7 of 14 shots (5 of 10 three-pointers). UCLA trailed Gonzaga at halftime, 38-27, and reduced the Bulldogs’ lead to six points early in the second half before Gonzaga used an 8-0 run to secure a 14-point cushion.
The Bruins have opened the season with an 8-3 record, playing 11 games in a 30-day span. In comparison, UCLA will play just six games over its next 30-day span (four games away from home). Last Saturday evening in Pauley Pavilion, No. 9 Gonzaga defeated UCLA, 87-74. Bryce Alford scored a team-leading 23 points, connecting on 7 of 14 shots (5 of 10 three-pointers). UCLA trailed Gonzaga at halftime, 38-27, and reduced the Bulldogs’ lead to six points early in the second half before Gonzaga used an 8-0 run to secure a 14-point cushion.
LOONEY’S STRONG START
Freshman Kevon Looney ranked seventh, nationally, and first in the Pac-12 in rebounding (10.9 rpg) through Dec. 14. Looney, a 6-foot-9 forward who was a McDonald’s All-America selection last season, ranks fifth in the country and first in the Pac-12 with 4.73 offensive rebounds per game (through Dec. 14). He leads all freshmen in the nation with seven double-doubles, the third-highest total in the country (Charles Jackson from Tennessee Tech and Jameel Warney from Stony Brook each have eight). Looney is averaging 13.9 points per game.
Freshman Kevon Looney ranked seventh, nationally, and first in the Pac-12 in rebounding (10.9 rpg) through Dec. 14. Looney, a 6-foot-9 forward who was a McDonald’s All-America selection last season, ranks fifth in the country and first in the Pac-12 with 4.73 offensive rebounds per game (through Dec. 14). He leads all freshmen in the nation with seven double-doubles, the third-highest total in the country (Charles Jackson from Tennessee Tech and Jameel Warney from Stony Brook each have eight). Looney is averaging 13.9 points per game.
SENIOR LEADER
Norman Powell is the Bruins’ only senior in the team’s regular rotation. The 6-foot-4 guard from San Diego, Calif., has averaged 17.4 points per game (second on the team), the fourth-highest average among Pac-12 players (through Dec. 14). Powell ranks third in the Pac-12 with 2.1 steals per game. In UCLA’s win over UC Riverside (Dec. 10), he scored seven of the team’s first nine points after halftime to help the Bruins overcome an eight-point halftime deficit and secure a 77-66 victory. He has scored in double figures in 10 of 11 games this season.
Norman Powell is the Bruins’ only senior in the team’s regular rotation. The 6-foot-4 guard from San Diego, Calif., has averaged 17.4 points per game (second on the team), the fourth-highest average among Pac-12 players (through Dec. 14). Powell ranks third in the Pac-12 with 2.1 steals per game. In UCLA’s win over UC Riverside (Dec. 10), he scored seven of the team’s first nine points after halftime to help the Bruins overcome an eight-point halftime deficit and secure a 77-66 victory. He has scored in double figures in 10 of 11 games this season.
YEAR TWO
Steve Alford has entered his second season as UCLA’s head coach and his 24th year as a college basketball head coach. He directed UCLA to a 28-9 record in 2013-14, tying the school record for most victories in a head coach’s first year in Westwood (Gene Bartow went 28-4 in 1975-76). Alford arrived at UCLA in March 2013 after six highly successful seasons at New Mexico. He has led his teams to at least 28 wins each of the last three seasons.
Steve Alford has entered his second season as UCLA’s head coach and his 24th year as a college basketball head coach. He directed UCLA to a 28-9 record in 2013-14, tying the school record for most victories in a head coach’s first year in Westwood (Gene Bartow went 28-4 in 1975-76). Alford arrived at UCLA in March 2013 after six highly successful seasons at New Mexico. He has led his teams to at least 28 wins each of the last three seasons.
MILESTONES
Steve Alford (499-247 career) stands one win shy of career victory No. 500. He has recorded more NCAA wins than any collegiate head coach of age 50 or younger. There are currently 20 active NCAA Division I coaches who have won at least 500 NCAA games (minimum five years as a Division I head coach).
Steve Alford (499-247 career) stands one win shy of career victory No. 500. He has recorded more NCAA wins than any collegiate head coach of age 50 or younger. There are currently 20 active NCAA Division I coaches who have won at least 500 NCAA games (minimum five years as a Division I head coach).
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
UCLA has entered a five-game stretch, beginning with last Saturday’s home game against No. 9 Gonzaga, that features two top-10 ranked teams and four games away from Pauley Pavilion. Following this Saturday’s neutral site contest against No. 1 Kentucky, the Bruins will play consecutive road games at Alabama (RPI of 32) on Dec. 28, at Colorado (RPI of 90) on Jan. 2, and at No. 14 Utah (RPI of 22) on Jan. 4.
UCLA has entered a five-game stretch, beginning with last Saturday’s home game against No. 9 Gonzaga, that features two top-10 ranked teams and four games away from Pauley Pavilion. Following this Saturday’s neutral site contest against No. 1 Kentucky, the Bruins will play consecutive road games at Alabama (RPI of 32) on Dec. 28, at Colorado (RPI of 90) on Jan. 2, and at No. 14 Utah (RPI of 22) on Jan. 4.
SCORE AND DISTRIBUTE
Bryce Alford has registered team-leading averages with 18.0 points and 6.7 assists per game. In fact, Alford is the nation’s only player to have logged at least 18 points and six assists per game (through Dec. 14). He leads all Pac-12 players with 6.7 assists per game, the nation’s eighth-highest average. The 6-foot-3 sophomore guard has totaled 74 assists and just 27 turnovers, compiling a 2.7 assist-turnover ration (ranks third in the Pac-12). Alford and freshman forward Kevon Looney have scored in double figures in all 11 games for UCLA.
Bryce Alford has registered team-leading averages with 18.0 points and 6.7 assists per game. In fact, Alford is the nation’s only player to have logged at least 18 points and six assists per game (through Dec. 14). He leads all Pac-12 players with 6.7 assists per game, the nation’s eighth-highest average. The 6-foot-3 sophomore guard has totaled 74 assists and just 27 turnovers, compiling a 2.7 assist-turnover ration (ranks third in the Pac-12). Alford and freshman forward Kevon Looney have scored in double figures in all 11 games for UCLA.
A CLOSER LOOK
Bryce Alford (74 assists, 27 turnovers, 11 games) is the nation’s only underclassman (freshmen or sophomores), to have logged at least 70 assists and fewer than 30 turnovers. He is one of just three players in the nation, regardless of year in school, with 70 or more assists and fewer than 30 turnovers.
Bryce Alford (74 assists, 27 turnovers, 11 games) is the nation’s only underclassman (freshmen or sophomores), to have logged at least 70 assists and fewer than 30 turnovers. He is one of just three players in the nation, regardless of year in school, with 70 or more assists and fewer than 30 turnovers.
PARKER’S PROGRESSION
Junior forward Tony Parker has made significant strides over the course of three seasons. After having played just 6.3 minutes per game as a freshman (2012-13, averaged 2.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg), Parker played 17.2 minutes per game last season and has logged 24.2 minutes per game in 11 starts this season. He registered 6.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 2013-14. This season, Parker has recorded 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds and one block per game. The 6-foot-9 forward from Atlanta, Ga., has shot 58.8 percent from the field in 81 career games.
Junior forward Tony Parker has made significant strides over the course of three seasons. After having played just 6.3 minutes per game as a freshman (2012-13, averaged 2.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg), Parker played 17.2 minutes per game last season and has logged 24.2 minutes per game in 11 starts this season. He registered 6.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 2013-14. This season, Parker has recorded 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds and one block per game. The 6-foot-9 forward from Atlanta, Ga., has shot 58.8 percent from the field in 81 career games.
ABOUT KENTUCKY
Currently in his sixth season as Kentucky’s head coach, John Calipari has guided the Wildcats to the country’s No. 1 ranking in both polls and an 11-0 record. The Wildcats advanced to the NCAA championship game last season, falling to Connecticut by a 60-54 margin (April 7, 2014, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas). Willie Cauley-Stein leads Kentucky in both scoring (10.7 ppg) and rebounding (6.8 rpg). Aaron Harrison ranks second on the team with 10.2 points per game. The Wildcats have won their 11 contests by an average margin of 28.2 points per game.
Currently in his sixth season as Kentucky’s head coach, John Calipari has guided the Wildcats to the country’s No. 1 ranking in both polls and an 11-0 record. The Wildcats advanced to the NCAA championship game last season, falling to Connecticut by a 60-54 margin (April 7, 2014, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas). Willie Cauley-Stein leads Kentucky in both scoring (10.7 ppg) and rebounding (6.8 rpg). Aaron Harrison ranks second on the team with 10.2 points per game. The Wildcats have won their 11 contests by an average margin of 28.2 points per game.
ONE YEAR AWAY
UCLA will play in the 2015 EA Sports Maui Invitational in November 2015, competing in a field that will feature Indiana, Kansas, St. John’s, UNLV, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Chaminade University. The Bruins last played in the Maui Invitational in 2011 after having won the tournament title in 2007. Next season’s field will feature four of the top 10 winningest programs in NCAA Division I history and teams which have won a combined 19 NCAA titles.
UCLA will play in the 2015 EA Sports Maui Invitational in November 2015, competing in a field that will feature Indiana, Kansas, St. John’s, UNLV, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Chaminade University. The Bruins last played in the Maui Invitational in 2011 after having won the tournament title in 2007. Next season’s field will feature four of the top 10 winningest programs in NCAA Division I history and teams which have won a combined 19 NCAA titles.
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