:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62244607/UCLA_2380.0.jpg)
The next game for the UCLA Bruins against the Long Beach State 49ers who are coached by Steve Alford’s friend Dan Monson. After a nice run of success in the early part of the decade, Monson’s 49ers have struggled the last couple years finishing with losing records. This year’s team does not look to be better and barely hung on to an exhibition win over Cal State Bakersfield. And this is not a good defensive team. This should be another relatively easy win.
Onto the matchups....
Deishuan Booker is the 49ers’ 6’3” point guard. Booker is a pass first guy but is also a good shooter. Hands should clearly win this match-up.
Bryan Alberts is a 6’5” transfer from Gonzaga, who will likely be Long Beach State’s leading scorer. His stats last year are a bit deceptive. He was hurt and never fully recovered. Alberts is a guy who will shoot a lot of threes and has the potential to light it up. This will be interesting to watch. This is the first test of who matches up with the best wing scorer? Wilkes? Ali? Personally, I would like to see Wilkes do it. He wants to be in the NBA. He has proven he can score. Can he play defense?
Demetrius Mims, a 6’6” freshman from Baltimore, starts at the three. It’s hard to say who gets him.
Jordan Roberts is a 6’8” sophomore power forward with some experience, having started the last eight games of the season. Roberts is not much of a scoring threat historically and only shot 4 threes last season. Hill and Smith pretty much split time at four during the Fort Wayne game. Hill played some backup center splitting time with Nwuba. This is interesting because, if Smith can hit a three like he did Tuesday, he give Alford the stretch four we know he loves.
Senior Mason Riggins is Long Beach’s 6’9” tall center. Riggins is an experienced big. That’s about it. Moses will still eat him up.
Go Bruins!