On paper, UCLA is loaded with talent as early mock drafts indicate this team could send 4-5 players to the NBA. But they are also inexperienced and haven't played together much. Will they be ready for Marquette in the Maui Invitational?
UCLA Preview (https://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2023/09/ucla-preview-2023-24.html?m=1)
Nice preview Brew. Hope they win this game badly. Do not want to play the host team in the second round. Would be a waste of time. And a win gets us what we all want to see KU vs MU. Can't wait for this season to start.
Thanks for the preview. Going to be a tough battle . Hopefully game is played in Hawaiian Islands . Vegas would essentially be a UCLA home game
Quote from: Herman Cain on September 03, 2023, 10:37:27 AM
Thanks for the preview. Going to be a tough battle . Hopefully game is played in Hawaiian Islands . Vegas would essentially be a UCLA home game
Vegas is out.
Quote from: Herman Cain on September 03, 2023, 10:37:27 AM
Thanks for the preview. Going to be a tough battle . Hopefully game is played in Hawaiian Islands . Vegas would essentially be a UCLA home game
Lets all start fearing them now...
UCLA is the new preseason mystery team per Jeff Borzello
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/36058691/2023-24-way-too-early-top-25-men-college-basketball-rankings
https://gojoebruin.com/2023/09/06/ucla-basketball-the-case-for-the-no-1-2023-recruiting-class/
Quote from: brewcity77 on September 03, 2023, 06:29:41 AM
On paper, UCLA is loaded with talent as early mock drafts indicate this team could send 4-5 players to the NBA. But they are also inexperienced and haven't played together much. Will they be ready for Marquette in the Maui Invitational?
UCLA Preview (https://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2023/09/ucla-preview-2023-24.html?m=1)
Sounds like Marquette is a good match and will win.
This will be an interesting matchup. Any updates on this write-up since UCLA beat three cupcakes?
Quote from: Odartey Where Art Thou on November 16, 2023, 06:47:36 AM
This will be an interesting matchup. Any updates on this write-up since UCLA beat three cupcakes?
Will probably dig in this weekend.
Just from little review, Mick didn't play their only true PG due to coach's decision. Started Mara instead, and it was by far the most Mara played in 3 games. Bona and Mara put up big numbers, but the Bruins had 14 turnovers as a team. Also did not come close to covering a 35.5 point spread FWIW.
Also, their opponents so far are a combined 0-11, so truly cupcake games.
Started digging into UCLA...let's just say they have some issues.
Cronin's post-game after their last game referenced MU multiple times and how weak stuff will get punished by the Golden Eagles.
UCLA preview is updated. They have metrically regressed in every game despite playing the worst schedule in all of D1 so far. I don't think they're a very good team right now.
Quote from: brewcity77 on November 18, 2023, 06:51:24 AM
UCLA preview is updated. They have metrically regressed in every game despite playing the worst schedule in all of D1 so far. I don't think they're a very good team right now.
So we can expect a nail biter??😁
Any idea when MU will head to Hawaii? I was just thinking they have two more time zones to make up than UCLA does.
Judging from posts, they already have.
Quote from: brewcity77 on November 17, 2023, 03:40:58 PM
Started digging into UCLA...let's just say they have some issues.
Quote from: brewcity77 on November 18, 2023, 06:51:24 AM
UCLA preview is updated. They have metrically regressed in every game despite playing the worst schedule in all of D1 so far. I don't think they're a very good team right now.
Sounds like extreme overreaction to three games UCLA kids just wanted to blow them out and move on and avoid any embarrassing losses. Which they did. Do you honestly believe those kids were truly focused and excited to play any of them?
Cronin is a great coach and has that program rolling. Any team is excited to play in this tournament too. I expect nothing but a close, intense game Monday night.
But if MU exposes them and win's going away, great.
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on November 18, 2023, 09:28:17 AM
Sounds like extreme overreaction to three games UCLA kids just wanted to blow them out and move on and avoid any embarrassing losses. Which they did. Do you honestly believe those kids were truly focused and excited to play any of them?
Cronin is a great coach and has that program rolling. Any team is excited to play in this tournament too. I expect nothing but a close, intense game Monday night.
But if MU exposes them and win's going away, great.
Great teams cover
Judging by Kenpom, MU will likely be about a 5 point favorite. The Marquette page on there is straight porn. He has us favored in every game but 2 (@uconn @ CU). Obviously Maui games past ucla aren't on there yet*
Per Mike DeCourcy
Freshman Berke Buyuktuncel, a 6-9 forward from Turkey, has been cleared to participate for @UCLAMBB in the 2023-24 basketball season, a source close to the situation told @sportingnews. Details to come at
Just in time to play Marquette. They are HUGE up front.
7'3" Mara
6'10" Bona
6'10" Nwuba
6'9" Buyuktuncel
and plenty more at 6'7" or taller.
crap, we might lose by 30
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on November 18, 2023, 11:00:45 PM
Per Mike DeCourcy
Freshman Berke Buyuktuncel, a 6-9 forward from Turkey, has been cleared to participate for @UCLAMBB in the 2023-24 basketball season, a source close to the situation told @sportingnews. Details to come at
Just in time to play Marquette. They are HUGE up front.
7'3" Mara
6'10" Bona
6'10" Nwuba
6'9" Buyuktuncel
and plenty more at 6'7" or taller.
Quote from: PointWarrior on November 18, 2023, 11:16:45 PM
crap, we might lose by 30
It is going to be one of the best games of the week.
Stylistically these 2 teams are completely different. Polar opposites. Should make for an exciting game for viewers.
Will buykake get run immediately?
Quote from: Jay Bee on November 19, 2023, 01:09:25 AM
Will buykake get run immediately?
Prolly just in spurts, provided he's playing with an efficient Bona.
Glorious.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on November 19, 2023, 12:02:17 AM
It is going to be one of the best games of the week.
Stylistically these 2 teams are completely different. Polar opposites. Should make for an exciting game for viewers.
Good. Makes blowing them out of the gym more enjoyable
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on November 18, 2023, 11:00:45 PM
Per Mike DeCourcy
Freshman Berke Buyuktuncel, a 6-9 forward from Turkey, has been cleared to participate for @UCLAMBB in the 2023-24 basketball season, a source close to the situation told @sportingnews. Details to come at
Just in time to play Marquette. They are HUGE up front.
7'3" Mara
6'10" Bona
6'10" Nwuba
6'9" Buyuktuncel
and plenty more at 6'7" or taller.
The Illini game was great preparation for playing a team much taller than us. The UCLA guys are tall but are they quick.
Did those international players on UCLA play professionally overseas? I ask because Xavier's Sasa Ciani played professionally. I guess that is allowed or is there some exceptions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%C5%A1a_Ciani
Unless Berke can play PG or is better than Bona, I don't think this matters much. The lottery pick Mara is having trouble getting minutes on this roster because Bona is better than he is and they haven't played well together in a twin tower lineup. Meanwhile, UCLA only has 4 guards and the only true PG among them didn't play in their last game due to a "coaching decision". Kam Jones by himself has 3 more 3s than UCLAs enitre roster this season (against much worse competition).
Unless we can't shoot, i think we run these guys out the building, especially if Andrews is still in the doghouse
Quote from: muwarrior69 on November 19, 2023, 07:35:08 AM
The Illini game was great preparation for playing a team much taller than us. The UCLA guys are tall but are they quick.
Did those international players on UCLA play professionally overseas? I ask because Xavier's Sasa Ciani played professionally. I guess that is allowed or is there some exceptions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%C5%A1a_Ciani
Mara and Buyuktuncel both played professional overseas from what I understand.
Buyuktuncel shoots exceptionally well from outside, but Illinois can't prepare you for Adem Bona. He's just so unique. I am so excited to see how we play against a truly loaded front court. 3 potential 1st round picks.
They have a roster loaded with talent, but it doesn't look like a good basketball team.
Here's to hoping Shaka realizes we don't stand a chance and instead of taking a hit to the confidence of the team, he just lets the boys enjoy the beaches and makes this a team bonding trip. 3 forfeits but some relationship growth.
This UCLA team is the equivalent of a mid tier big east team. Probably similar to providence or Xavier. I except a double digit win.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on November 19, 2023, 10:47:37 AM
Buyuktuncel shoots exceptionally well from outside
He's a career 29.1% 3P shooter with 16 career makes in international play. Every scouting report I have read says he is not currently an outside threat Where are you getting that he shoots exceptionally well?
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on November 19, 2023, 01:28:16 PM
He's a career 29.1% 3P shooter with 16 career makes in international play. Every scouting report I have read says he is not currently an outside threat Where are you getting that he shoots exceptionally well?
Herm
The guy is a doomsday troll.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on November 19, 2023, 10:47:37 AM
Mara and Buyuktuncel both played professional overseas from what I understand.
Buyuktuncel shoots exceptionally well from outside, but Illinois can't prepare you for Adem Bona. He's just so unique. I am so excited to see how we play against a truly loaded front court. 3 potential 1st round picks.
Then how are they eligible to play college ball?
https://basketballfandom.com/can-you-play-college-basketball-after-playing-pro/#:~:text=The%20answer%20is%20no.%20According%20to%20the%20NCAA%2C,professional%20athletes%20to%20be%20ineligible%20for%20amateur%20status.
Is that an NBA line I see? If so, why?
Isn't there an article somewhere with how we are awful from the outside with an NBA line.
Ben Steele says Kam appeared to have hurt himself in warmups. Something to watch. He may not be right.