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This Saturday, the Kentucky Wildcats (7-0) will take on the UCLA Bruins (8-0) in a matchup of two of the highest-scoring offenses in the country.
The Wildcats average 95.6 points per game, while the Bruins are averaging 97 points per game. Each team has eclipsed 100 points in a game three times this season.
Defensively, Kentucky allows 65 points per game, while UCLA allows 72.9 points per game.
The Bruins are led by freshman duo Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf. College basketball junkies are salivating at the point guard matchup between Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox and UCLA’s Ball.
Ball is averaging 14.6 points per game with 9.6 assists per game. Leaf is averaging 17.3 points per game with 9 rebounds. UCLA’s leading scorer is senior guard Isaac Hamilton with 18 points per game.
The Wildcats will also have to deal with junior big man Thomas Welsh. The 7’0 Welsh was arguably one of the biggest factors in UCLA’s 87-77 upset over Kentucky last season, scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
UCLA’s competition has mostly been mid-majors along the West Coast, with the exception of an 82-71 victory over Nebraska and a 74-67 victory over Texas A&M.
Another factor to consider is the time of the game. The game is scheduled for 12:30 (ET) which would equate to 9:30 on the West Coast. Traveling to Kentucky could also play a factor for the Bruins.
Some Kentucky fans think that the Wildcats could blow this one open, but I am not one of them. I think Kentucky will play their first close game of the season. UCLA has a lot of talent, and Ball is one of the top talents in college basketball. This one may not be decided until the final minutes.
Here is everything you’ll need to watch and follow this game:
UCLA Bruins (8-0) at Kentucky Wildcats (7-0)
When: Dec. 3 at 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.
TV: CBS
Live Online Stream: CBS Sports
Radio: UK Radio Network with Tom Leach and Mike Pratt
Live stats: UK Athletics
Odds: UK opened as a 9-point favorite, but the line quickly dropped to 8.
UK Roster:
No. 0 De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Freshman
No. 1 Sacha Killeya-Jones, Forward, Freshman
No. 3 Edrice ‘Bam’ Adebayo, Forward Freshman
No. 5 Malik Monk, Shooting Guard, Freshman
No. 10 Jonny David, Guard, Sophomore
No. 11 Mychal Mulder, Guard, Senior
No. 13 Isaiah Briscoe, Guard, Sophomore
No. 14 Tai Wynyard Forward, Redshirt Freshman
No. 15 Isaac Humphries, Forward, Sophomore
No. 20 Brad Calipari, Guard, Freshman
No. 25 Dominique Hawkins, Guard, Senior
No. 30 Dillon Pulliam, Guard, Redshirt Sophomore
No. 32 Wenyen Gabriel, Forward, Freshman
No. 35 Derek Willis, Forward, Senior