The first of this week’s matchups is in California, where the University of California Los Angeles will host Southern Utah University in a men’s basketball matchup on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. The game can be streamed live on ESPN+.
UCLA
The UCLA Bruins are a member of the Big-10 conference and currently boast a 5-1 record. UCLA is outsourcing opponents by an average of 24.2 points per game. Leading the way for the Bruins is Tyler Bilodeau who scores 15.5 points and pulls down 6.2 rebounds per game.
SUU
The Thunderbirds are 6-1 and are off to their best start in program history. Jamir Simpson leads the way, scoring 18.4 points per game on average. SUU has proved itself to be better than what most people thought going into the season. Along with that, Southern Utah has the third-best shooting percentage in the Western Athletic Conference.
Defensively, SUU has only allowed 68.8 points per game from their opponents. Their defense will be the deciding factor in this game. UCLA is scoring 78.2 points per game and beating their opponents by an average of 24.2.
The Thunderbirds will need big games from post players Brock Felder and Jamari Sibley if they are to be successful against the Bruins. Together they average 2.7 blocks and 13.7 rebounds per contest.
Author: Preston Ferry
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Jack Paul
