[Cracked Sidewalks] UCLA Preview

[brewcity77]

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

[Shooter McGavin]

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.

[Herman Cain]

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

[79Warrior]

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.

[PointWarrior]

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...

[Herman Cain]

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/

[Stretchdeltsig]

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

Sounds like Marquette is a good match and will win.

[Odartey Where Art Thou]

This will be an interesting matchup. Any updates on this write-up since UCLA beat three cupcakes?

[brewcity77]

This will be an interesting matchup. Any updates on this write-up since UCLA beat three cupcakes?

Will probably dig in this weekend.

[zcg2013]

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.

[brewcity77]

Started digging into UCLA...let's just say they have some issues.

[tower912]

Cronin's post-game after their last game referenced MU multiple times and how weak stuff will get punished by the Golden Eagles.

[brewcity77]

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.

[The Thing]

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.

[tower912]

Judging from posts, they already have.

[HutchwasClutch]

Started digging into UCLA...let's just say they have some issues.

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. 

[Uncle Rico]

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

[MUbiz]

Great teams cover

This!

[Carl]

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*

[GoldenEagles03]

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.

[PointWarrior]

crap, we might lose by 30

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.

[GoldenEagles03]

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.

[Jay Bee]

Will buykake get run immediately?

[GoFastAndWin]

Will buykake get run immediately?

Prolly just in spurts, provided he’s playing with an efficient Bona.

[tower912]

Glorious.

[Uncle Rico]

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

[muwarrior69]

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

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

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

[GoldenEagles03]

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.

[brewcity77]

They have a roster loaded with talent, but it doesn't look like a good basketball team.

[withoutbias]

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.

[HowardsWorld]

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.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

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?

[Uncle Rico]

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

[wadesworld]

The guy is a doomsday troll.

[muwarrior69]

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.

[GoldenEagles03]

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.

[GoldenEagles03]

Ben Steele says Kam appeared to have hurt himself in warmups. Something to watch. He may not be right.