UCLA vs. Stanford - Game Preview

By KS Wong
Bruin Basketball Report

No.2/3 UCLA takes on No.7 Stanford Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion in a battle for first-place in the Pac-10 conference race.

Stanford (24-4, 13-3) sits one full game behind the Bruins (26-3, 14-2) in the standings. A win by the Cardinal would put them in a virtual tie for first place.

After head-to-head competition, the next tiebreaker is each team's record against the team occupying the next highest position in the final regular-season standings. If Stanford beats UCLA then the two teams will have split their series. Since both teams swept Washington State, the second place team, then the next tie breaker would likely be their series against USC which is expected to finish third. The Bruins are 1-1 against the Trojans while Stanford currently holds a 1-0 record against USC with a game on Saturday still to be played.

UCLA swept through the desert last week beating both Arizona State and Arizona to remain atop the conference, while Stanford defeated both Washington schools in Maples Pavilion to keep the pressure on UCLA.

The Bruins own a 128-89 edge in the all-time series, which dates back to 1924-25. Since posting a six-game winning streak that spanned from 2002-2005, Stanford has dropped four of the last five meetings. It includes a 76-67 loss at Maples Pavilion back on January 3 in the Pac-10 opener that featured five three-pointers and 21 points from UCLA's Josh Shipp.

Stanford averages 71.0 points per game while shooting 45.4% from the field and 36.5% on three-pointers. Its a team built around twin 7-footers, Brook and Robin Lopez, who dominate inside play on both ends of the court.

Not surprisingly, the Cardinal has outrebound teams by almost a ten rebound margin and have blocked more than twice as many shots (5.2 per game) than its opponent.

In the first contest, the Bruins did a good job limiting both Lopez brothers on the offensive end. UCLA doubled down on Brook Lopez whenever he touched the ball within 15 feet of the basket. Brook, who was just returning from a academic suspension, scored just 13 points.

In addition, UCLA did a good job pressuring on the perimeter and making it difficult for Stanford's guards to pass the ball inside unfettered to their big men. Expect UCLA to apply the same defensive pressure in the post and on the perimeter to keep Stanford from establishing any offensive rhythm.

Brook Lopez (7'0, 260, So) seriously considered leaving for the NBA after his freshman year but decided to spend another year to refine his game in Palo Alto. However in a bizarre start to this season, he was ruled ineligible due to academic reasons, but Lopez has returned to form and is big trouble for any defense to handle.

Lopez leads Stanford in both scoring and rebounding with 19.3 points and 11.2 caroms per game. A very active and solid post player, he also possesses a good midrange jumper. Lopez will alternate between the low and high post on offense with his twin brother, Robin, throughout the game.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute will get the initial assignment against Brook Lopez but he will get plenty of help from the five spot on the double in the post.

Don't be surprised if UCLA utilizes its own twin towers at times during this game. Coach Howland has indicated he's inclined to use both his centers, Kevin Love and Lorenzo Mata-Real at the same time on the floor against bigger front lines.

Brook's brother, Robin Lopez (7'0, 255, So), plays the game more with his back to the basket. He's averaging 9.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as well as 2.2 blocks.

Both Lopez brothers are prone to foul trouble and perhaps Love can use his guile and sound low-post skills to cause problems for them underneath. Brook and Robin fouled out of the game down the stretch in the first meeting.

At small forward Stanford starts Lawrence Hill (6'8,215,Jr). Hill has had problems duplicating his All-Pac-10 player performance of last season. He's averaging 9.1 points a game and 5.2 rebounds. Hill has struggled getting into the flow of the offense this season, he's shooting just 42.5% from the field.

Hill has been a good three-pointer in the past but he's struggled with consistency this past season, although he's shooting 38.4% from beyond the arc.

In the backcourt are Anthony Goods (6'3,205,Jr) and Mitch Johnson (6'1,190,Jr).

Goods is the team's best perimeter offensive player. He shoots well from outside and can take the ball effectively to the basket off the bounce.

The junior guard is averaging 11.2 points on just 37.6% field goal shooting, however, Goods also hits 35.8%% on three-pointers.

Mitch Johnson is a much improved point guard and is perhaps one of the keys to Stanford's successful season thus far. Johnson is averaging 6.7 points and 4.5 assists per game and takes good care of the ball.

UCLA will count on both Russell Westbrook and Darren Collison to apply intense pressure on the perimeter in order to make it difficult for Stanford to initiate their halfcourt offense inside.

Fred Washington (6'5,215,Sr), Taj Fingers (6'8,200,Sr), and Landry Fields (6'7,200,So) have given Stanford solid support off the bench. Both Fingers and Washington give the team energy and defensive presence in reserve and Fields can light it up from outside if he get's it going.

Stanford is a much improved team from the one UCLA defeated up at Palo Alto to start the season. Brook Lopez had just returned from his suspension and was still getting assimilated on the floor. Lopez is now playing his best ball of the season and has been mentioned prominently as a candidate for player of the year.

On the other hand, UCLA's Darren Collison was still adjusting after returning from his knee injury, and was playing without his knee brace for the first time when these two teams met in January.

Aside from defending aggressively on the perimeter and in the low post against Stanford, UCLA will need to do a better job hitting their open outside jumpers. In the first match-up, UCLA hit on 56.3% on their three-pointer, led by Josh Shipp's five treys. Shipp has been struggling with his outside shot of late and will look to shoot himself out of the slump.

If the Bruins are unable to spread Stanford's defense with their outside shooting, then they'll risk the defense collapsing around Kevin Love in the paint.

In addition to the Pac-10 conference race, this game will have major ramifications on the NCAA tournament seedings with the winner perhaps becoming the favorite for gaining either a No.1 or No.2 seed in the coveted West region.

(photo credit: Stanford Athletics)