5 Bold Predictions for No. 11 UCLA vs. No. 14 UAB

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions for No. 11 UCLA vs. No. 14 UAB

UCLA Bruins upset SMU Mustangs shocking finish NCAA Tournament — UCLA wasn’t supposed to even make the tournament, and now the Bruins are a victory away from the Sweet 16. As if UCLA’s road couldn’t get more happy-go-lucky, the Bruins are set to take on the 14th-seeded UAB Blazers on Saturday. Here are five things from this low-seeded matchup that could make March Madness even more crazy.

5. UCLA Will Stay Hot From Behind The Arc

UCLA Bryce Alford 3 pointer NCAA Tournament

5. UCLA Will Stay Hot From Behind The Arc

UCLA Bryce Alford 3 pointer NCAA Tournament — Including a basket aided by a questionable goal-tending call, UCLA drained half of its three-pointers attempted against the SMU Mustangs in the Round of 64. Expect the Bruins to remain potent from deep and Bryce Alford to add more trays.

4. UAB Will Face Big Deficit Early

UAB Blazers NCAA Tournament win Iowa State Cyclones

4. UAB Will Face Big Deficit Early

UAB Blazers NCAA Tournament win Iowa State Cyclones — The UAB Blazers didn’t exactly blaze any trails in shooting prowess in the Round of 64. UAB shot just 34.8 percent from two and 16.7 percent from three against the Iowa State Cyclones. UCLA will shoot much better, and could bury the Blazers early.

3. UAB Will Out-Rebound UCLA

UAB Blazers NCAA Tournament March Madness

3. UAB Will Out-Rebound UCLA

UAB Blazers NCAA Tournament March Madness — UAB stayed tight with Iowa State by getting to loose balls and snagging rebounds. Look for much of the same against UCLA, and look for this to be the Blazers’ most legitimate chance to keep this a ballgame.

2. Thomas Welsh Will Have Five Blocks

Thomas Welsh UCLA Bruins

2. Thomas Welsh Will Have Five Blocks

Thomas Welsh UCLA Bruins — In just 22 minutes of play against SMU, Thomas Welsh came away with four blocks. Against an ostensibly weaker team in UAB, the 7-foot center could have an even more exciting block party.

1. UCLA Rolls To Victory

UCLA Bruins basketball Norman Powell March Madness

1. UCLA Rolls To Victory

UCLA Bruins basketball Norman Powell March Madness — So much for not belonging in the tourney; UCLA will punch an early ticket into the Sweet 16 with a victory over the Blazers. UAB will lose its fire, and UCLA will continue its journey on borrowed time from the shocking upset of SMU.

Teams in this article »

UCLA Bruins

Share On Facebook

Share