The No. 7 UCLA Bruins (14-2, 5-0 Pac-12) will host their conference foe, the Utah Utes (12-5, 5-1 Pac-12), at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA. The Bruins have won 11 consecutive games while the Utes have won three of their last five games and are coming off a loss against the Oregon Ducks.
The Utah Utes are currently holding onto second place in the Pac-12 and are sitting just 0.5 games behind the first-place Bruins. The Utes have won three of their last five matchups but are coming off their first conference loss against the Oregon Ducks. During the 70-60 defeat, the Utes shot 35.7% from the field, 14.3% from beyond the arc, and 68% from free throw range. In addition, they earned 39 rebounds, 14 assists, six steals, and two blocks while turning the ball over 14 times. They allowed the Ducks to shoot 40.4% from the field and 25% from deep, surrendering a free 17 points from the free-throw line. This was the 10th straight loss that the Utes have suffered against the Ducks. The Utes enter this matchup hoping to break their five-game skid against the Bruins after not beating them since 2019.
.@MarcoJAnthony keeps us within reach on this find by @_Laz ar_Stef
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— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) January 8, 2023
Utah's scoring offense is ranked 153rd, averaging 73 points while shooting 45.9% from the field, 70.8% from free throw range, and 34.6% from beyond the arc. In addition, they are recording 41.3 rebounds, 14.9 assists, 5.1 steals, and 5.2 blocks per game while turning the ball over 13.1 times per contest. They have an assist/turnover ratio of 1.14 this season. Defensively, the Utes are surrendering 61.5 points per game (25th) while allowing their opponents to shoot 36.4% from the field. Branden Carlson is the leading scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game while also contributing 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. Rollie Worster leads in assists, averaging 5.1 assists per game while also earning 5.5 rebounds and 8.3 points. Gabe Madsen is the second-best scorer, averaging 12.6 points while also recording 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists.