The No. 4 UCLA ladies’s basketball crew (9-1, 1-0 Large Ten) is again in motion Tuesday because it hosts the Cal Poly Mustangs (2-7, 0-2 Large West) for the third of a four-game homestand at Pauley Pavilion (6 p.m. PT, BTN).
It has been greater than per week for the reason that Bruins final took the hardwood, as head coach Cori Shut’s squad had day off throughout finals week. Although UCLA is now on an educational break, it will get again to work beginning with the following stretch of video games. After Cal Poly, the Bruins face Lengthy Seashore State this weekend earlier than resuming Large Ten play subsequent week at Ohio State.
UCLA has been on a roll since its solely lack of the season, profitable three straight video games by a median of 24 factors. That stretch features a victory over then-No. 14 Tennessee. Based mostly on present traits, Cal Poly represents one other favorable matchup for the Bruins.
The Mustangs are a really younger crew, with just one junior and one senior on the 16-player roster. Six gamers are freshmen.
Cal Poly is led by sophomore guard Vanessa McManus (5-foot-7), who’s averaging 20.1 factors per recreation. A lot of her scoring comes from the 3-point line, the place she is capturing 34.8%. McManus can also be changing 43.4% of her pictures total whereas including 5.7 rebounds per recreation, second on the crew.
The opposite main offensive contributor is freshman ahead Charish Thompson (6-0). The one different Mustang averaging double figures, Thompson scores 15.6 factors per recreation and is a focus within the paint. She additionally leads the crew in rebounding at 5.9 per recreation.
Cal Poly averages 64.4 factors per recreation, which ranks seventh within the Large West Convention. The Mustangs have struggled defensively, permitting 67.4 factors per recreation, ninth within the convention. Youth has performed a job in all of this, as three freshmen are usually within the beginning lineup.
There may be additionally a notable measurement discrepancy. Cal Poly has 5 gamers listed at 6 ft or taller, with its tallest at 6-3. That pales compared to UCLA’s 9 gamers at 6 ft or above, led by Lauren Betts at 6-7.
With the paint possible well-defended, Cal Poly could must depend on perimeter capturing, although consistency has been a problem early within the season. The Mustangs are capturing 40.0% from the sector, rating 195th nationally. By comparability, UCLA ranks eleventh, capturing 50.0%.
The important thing matchup inside is Betts, who seems to be discovering her rhythm. She recorded her second double-double of the season in opposition to Oregon, posting season highs in factors (24), rebounds (14) and blocks (5). A part of her current success is tied to improved outdoors capturing, because the Bruins rank twenty sixth nationally at 37.2% from 3-point vary. Gianna Kneepkens (6-0) and Gabriela Jaquez (6-0) are an enormous a part of this as each are capturing higher than 46% from past the arc.
UCLA may additionally obtain a lift within the paint with the potential season debut of Sienna Betts (6-4). The youthful Betts has been sidelined with a foot harm sustained throughout a preseason exhibition recreation. Along with her scoring capability, she is understood for her aggressive defensive type, which may present help when opponents double- or triple-team Lauren.
Total, this shapes up as a really favorable matchup for the Bruins on each ends of the ground. Whereas Cal Poly’s youth reveals promise, UCLA’s depth, expertise, measurement and expertise align with what is predicted of a No. 4-ranked crew.
PREDICTION
No. 4 UCLA Bruins 88
Cal Poly Mustangs 50
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