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With UCLA winning easily on Thursday night, the Bruins head to Salt Lake City to face the Runnin’ Utes.
This game might be the biggest game UCLA has played under Steve Alford. Last year, in the only game between the Bruins and the Utes, Utah came into Pauley Pavilion and the game was a microcosm of the whole season. It was close in the first half and the Bruins collapsed in the second half.
The question heading into today’s game is: Can the Bruins duplicate the consistency they showed on Thursday night against the Buffaloes? This is an important question to ask because, recently, this year’s team has shown some inconsistency that has looked a lot like last season’s team. UCLA needs to put that behind them and play like they did against the Buffs.
Meanwhile, the Runnin’ Utes are tough to beat at home. They are 9-1 at home so far this season and have beaten nine straight Pac-12 opponents at home dating back to last season. Since the 2013-14 season, Utah is 58-5 overall when playing games inside the Huntsman Center and 24-4 in home contests against Pac- 12 teams. They haven’t lost to a Pac-12 opponent at home in exactly a year to the day.
But, it’s a more important game for UCLA because they need to win to keep pace with Arizona and Oregon who are both still undefeated in conference action and the Bruins need to get Steve Alford the first road sweep of his tenure.
#4 UCLA Bruins (17-1, 4-1)
Opponent: Utah Runnin’ Utes (12-4, 3-1)
When: Saturday, January 14, 2017, 3:00 pm PT
Where: Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Game Notes:
TV: Pac-12 Network National, Los Angeles and Mountain with J.B. Long and Matt Muehlebach
Stream: Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now app
Radio/Audio:
- 1150 AM in Los Angeles with Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray
- Sirius Channel 84 & XM Channel 84 (Utah feed)
- And, of course, the Bruins Nation Game Thread!
Live Stats: UCLA Bruins StatBroadcast
Go Bruins!