:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58298241/usa_today_9123833.0.jpg)
The other day, DCBruins laid out what UCLA needs to do to win the Pac-12 regular season title. Given that he wrote that the Bruins need to win their home games and they face the Utah Utes at Pauley tonight, this game is a must-win in UCLA’s quest to win the conference.
But beating the Utes won’t be easy.
They are, after all, a well-coached team and Larry Krystkowiak will have his team well-prepared for UCLA. That’s a given.
It doesn’t matter if only two of the Utes’ starters this season played significant when the teams played last January, Krystkowiak will have his guys ready.
Four of the Utes’ starters are averaging in double figures. Senior forward David Collette leads the team with an average of 13.8 ppg while senior guard Justin Bibbins is right behind him with 13.7 ppg. Bibbins also leads the team in assists with an average of 4.8 per game.
The team’s other starting guard, junior Sedrick Barefield, is third with an average of 12.2 ppg and senior forward Tyler Rawson is also in double figures at 10.2 ppg. Rawson also leads the team in rebounds, averaging 6.5 per game.
The only Utah starter not in double figures is senior swingman Gabe Bealer who’s averaging 6.4 ppg. Kolbe Caldwell will probably be the first guy off the bench.
The key takeaway from this, though, is that Utah runs a well-balanced attack. If one guy is struggling, look for them to just turn to one of their other guys. That makes them dangerous, which would be par for the course from Utah, especially when we don’t know which Bruin team will show up.
Listen to the Game Here on BN!
This season, we are proud to, again, have today's audio feed for everyone who opts to use the Tune In player embedded below. For optimum results, start the audio feed then pause your DVR and sync them up together. But, with Bruin legend Bill Walton calling tonight’s game, I say skip the audio and listen to Big Red.
Join your fellow fans discussing today’s game below. This is your Utah Utes at UCLA Bruins game thread.
Go Bruins!