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The Bruins look to send a clear message to the league against Cal Poly. Here’s everything you need to know before tipoff.
The Bruins enter the matchup at 9–1, with Cal Poly providing an opportunity to reach double-digit wins. With expected to return, the game could serve as a premier showcase of what this new-look UCLA team is capable of.
On the season, UCLA has been one of the more balanced teams in the country, averaging per game while shooting an efficient from the field and from three. The Bruins have also been strong on the glass, pulling downper game.
The Bruins are also averaging per game, a number that feels a lot better given their per game. The Bruins have also been solid shooting free throws this season, with shooting. UCLA is also averaging a very good per game.
Cal Poly has struggled this season, averaging just per game while shooting from the field and from three. The Mustangs have been outworked on the glass as well, pulling down only per game, eight fewer than UCLA.
While they are active defensively with per game, they also turn the ball overtimes per game, something that UCLA can exploit. The Mustangs only average per game, showing that there is no clear offensive identity.
While their record doesn’t look pretty at 2–7, Cal Poly has several playmakers who have been able to make an impact regardless. Most notably
, who is currently averaging 20.1 points, 5.7 rebounds while shooting a very solid 43.4% from the field.
McManus will most likely be up against Gabriela Jaquez, and later in the game, Sienna Betts, who both have towering height advantages over the 5'7 Cal Poly star. However, she has proven that height does not matter, as against Southern Utah she dropped another worldly 34 points.
Freshman Charish Thompson could also prove to be a very big threat for the Bruins if left unchecked. The star forward is averaging 15.6 points per game, as well as 5.9 rebounds while shooting 49.4% from the field
Unfortunately for Thompson, she will most likely be matched up with, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the nation. If Betts can shut her down early, there is good reason to believe the Bruins will blow the gates open with this one.
The Bruins need to have a very dominant outing in this one. While Cal Poly is not regarded as a serious threat, they are a team that can help the freshmen on the Bruins to acclimate to the pace of college basketball.
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