Who’s Playing
UNC-Asheville @ UCLA
Regular Season Records: UNC-Asheville 27-7; UCLA 29-5
What to Know
The #7 UCLA Bruins and the UNC-Asheville Bulldogs are set to clash at 10:05 p.m. ET March 16 at Golden 1 Center in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. UNC-Asheville will be strutting in after a victory while the Bruins will be stumbling in from a defeat.
It was close but no cigar for UCLA as they fell 61-59 to the Arizona Wildcats this past Saturday. UCLA’s loss came about despite a quality game from guard Amari Bailey, who had 19 points in addition to seven boards.
Speaking of close games: UNC-Asheville earned some more postseason success in their matchup last week. They skirted past the Campbell Fighting Camels 77-73. UNC-Asheville’s success was spearheaded by the efforts of forward Drew Pember, who had 29 points along with eight rebounds and three blocks, and guard Tajion Jones, who shot 5-for-9 from downtown and finished with 24 points and eight rebounds.
Two stats to keep in the back of your head while watching: UCLA have been holding their opponents to a field goal percentage of 40.60%, which places them 27th in college basketball. But the Bulldogs come into the contest boasting the 26th highest field goal percentage in college basketball at 47.70%. We’ll see which of these strengths — offense or defense — will win out.
How To Watch
- When: Thursday at 10:05 p.m. ET
- Where: Golden 1 Center — Sacramento, California
- TV: tru TV
- Follow: CBS Sports App
Series History
This is the first time these teams have played each other within the last eight years.
