UCLA - Xavier Preview

Elite Eight
UCLA Bruins (1) Vs. Xavier Musketeers (3)
Saturday, March 29@ 6:40 pm

You’ve got to wonder about UCLA? They looked vulnerable when they played and barely beat Texas A&M in round two and then with a 21-point halftime lead in their Sweet 16 contest looked vulnerable once again. This time by letting the 12th seed Western Kentucky Hilltoppers back into the game. It’s true that they won by 10. But the margin of victory was much thinner.

UCLA had 19 turnovers and had the ball stolen 11 times. By number 12 seed Western Kentucky? Can that be true? That’s right. Star center Kevin Love had to put up 29 points to ensure the win. He also snagged 14 rebounds. The Bruins were helped by forward James Keefe and Love’s defense, as each blocked 4 shots. Solid shooting percentages by the Bruins ensured the win.

It was almost the West Virginia Mountaineers versus the UCLA Bruins but for two B.J. Raymond three-pointers in the final 1:18 of OT that sealed the victory for Xavier. Forward Josh Duncan was good for 26 points while swingman C.J. Anderson put in 12 and took down 10 rebounds. The Musketeers were matched or bettered by the Mountaineers in almost every area except for the three-point shot. Xavier hit 11 of 19 (58%), while West Virginia only connected on 1 of 11 (9%).

Xavier has to contain Love. UCLA has to eliminate the Xavier long-range game. UCLA needs to dominate under the boards to win this one. It will be a full game of basketball from tip-off to final buzzer. The Bruins should take it, but it will be close. Will UCLA be the first number one seed to fall in the Elite Eight?