Cal Men's Basketball Preview: Bears searching for first win in 3 weeks
Can they do it in Pauley Pavilion?
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Date: Thursday January 27th, 2022 (6PM Pac-12 Networks)
Opponent: #7 UCLA Bruins
Record: 14-2 (Conference: 14-1)
Standings: 1st in Pac-12
KenPom Ranking: #10
Opponent Team Stats: 78.6PPG/37.8RPG/14.4APG/6.6SPG/9.7TPG
Key Players:
Johnny Juzang
Guard (6-foot-7/215lbs)
Junior
18.1PPG/4.9RPG/1.8APG/1.7TPG
45.6%-FG/39.5%-3PT/83.7%-FT
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Guard (6-foot-7/225lbs)
Junior
12.7PPG/5.6RPG/2.1APG/1.1SPG/1.5TPG
46.5%-FG/33.3%-3PT/68.468.6%-FT
Jules Bernard
Guard (6-foot-7/210lbs)
Junior
13.1PPG/4.9RPG/2.2APG
43.2%-FG/34.7%-3PT/79.4%-FT
Tyga Campbell
Guard (5-foot-11/180lbs)
Junior
11.4PPG/2.9RPG/4.2APG/1.1TPG
43.4%-FG/43.8%-3PT/80.0%-FT
Expected Starting 5:
Guard Tyger Campbell
Guard Jaylen Clark
Guard Johnny Juzang
Guard Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Center Cody Riley
UCLA took the top spot in the conference after their dismantling of Arizona on Tuesday night. If the Bruins play as they did in that game, the Bears will have a very tough game on their hands. Johnny Juzang has improved in every statistical category since the last time he played the Bears. Cody Riley’s return has also been a big boost to their frontcourt rotation adding a scoring threat around the basket. UCLA also returned to the top 10 on KenPom after Tuesday’s victory with a top 15 efficiency-rated offense and defense. Not much to analyze here with this Bruins team. They’re fast, athletic, and can make buckets at a slightly below superhuman pace.
And if you missed there Bears’ last game against Arizona make sure to check out the recap.
Cal’s Win Probability and Score according to KenPom: 7% (58-72 Loss)
I actually think Jaime Jaquez Jr. is their best overall player, despite Juzang getting all the press
the issue with this game for us, is we lost even though we did a great defensive job on Juzang
we will not be so fortunate in LA. could get ugly early
Our best hope is a trap game, but that's tough on the road