Pretty good preview from Dawgman.com's Jack Leary on tonight's game:
On paper, UCLA vs. Arizona State is about as unfair a match-up as it gets. The Bruins are arguably the best team in the country, let alone in the conference while the Sun Devils are dead last in the Pac-10. However, ASU seems to be turning a new leaf, despite a disheartening loss at home against fellow cellar dweller Oregon State. The maroon and gold played well in both losses to the Oregon schools and pushed the Oregon Ducks to the brink before losing down the stretch. Glasser and Pendergraph have started to develop a special chemistry on the floor and the team has shown more heart and confidence in recent games. Will heart and confidence topple talent? Not likely. Yet the game will be closer than many expect. UCLA comes in with their three perimeter players all scoring in double figures and their two post players averaging over eight rebounds apiece.
The Bruins are a well-oiled machine and what makes them go is Pendergraph's high school teammate, PG Darren Collison. Collison is running the show by scoring and dishing out assists without a problem. Afflalo and Shipp are the top scoring options and their size to go along with their athleticism is a match-up nightmare that will give the Devils fits. Down low, Mbah a Moute and Mata are as solid as can be. Both are great defensive players and are very aggressive in the post.
When Coach Howland goes to his bench, he doesn't hope the reserves can hold on, since they are as good if not better than many Pac-10 starters. Sophomore sharpshooter Michael Roll and freshman guard Russell Westbrook have made it easy to overcome Shipp's lingering injury problems. When it comes to relieving the post players, Alfred Aboya and James Keefe are solid rebounders and defenders.
Here is the rest of it. Also on tonight's game Arizona Republic has a nice article on how Mrs. Shipp is planning to root for both teams.The Bruins are a well-oiled machine and what makes them go is Pendergraph's high school teammate, PG Darren Collison. Collison is running the show by scoring and dishing out assists without a problem. Afflalo and Shipp are the top scoring options and their size to go along with their athleticism is a match-up nightmare that will give the Devils fits. Down low, Mbah a Moute and Mata are as solid as can be. Both are great defensive players and are very aggressive in the post.
When Coach Howland goes to his bench, he doesn't hope the reserves can hold on, since they are as good if not better than many Pac-10 starters. Sophomore sharpshooter Michael Roll and freshman guard Russell Westbrook have made it easy to overcome Shipp's lingering injury problems. When it comes to relieving the post players, Alfred Aboya and James Keefe are solid rebounders and defenders.
Again keep in mind this game was close last year. And last year's ASU team just like this year's one came into Pauley and gave the Bruins all they could handle. So I wouldn't take anything for granted. Hopefully the team is not thinking about anything else except for ASU.
GO BRUINS.