Buckeyes head to historic Pauley Pavilion to face Mick Cronin’s Bruins.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Prediction
Both of these teams come into today’s game struggling. UCLA has lost two of their last three games, while Ohio State has lost three of four. The Buckeyes are facing even more pressure since they are right around the bubble when it comes to making the NCAA Tournament. UCLA doesn’t have quite as much to worry about when it comes to qualifying for the big dance since they not only have 10 wins in the Big Ten so far this season, they are just a win away from 20 wins on the season.Is Ohio State capable of beating UCLA? The Buckeyes have earned tough wins over Kentucky, Purdue, and Maryland this year. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they are faltering at the worst possible time. Depth has become an issue, putting more strain on Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal, and John Mobley Jr.
Not only is Ohio State still missing guard Meechie Johnson Jr., they were without Aaron Bradshaw on Thursday night. The short bench could be an issue against UCLA, who has 10 players averaging at least 10 minutes per game this season, and no player averaging more than 29 minutes per game.
As much as a win this afternoon would boost Ohio State’s chances of receiving an NCAA Tournament bid, UCLA is just too tough at home. While Minnesota was able to upend the Bruins at Pauley on Wednesday night, it is hard to imagine lightning striking Mick Cronin’s team twice.
Plus, it won’t help Ohio State that UCLA will be paying tribute to Bill Walton throughout the game. If the Buckeyes are going to start off their two-game Los Angeles road trip with a victory, they’ll have to be at the top of their game, which is hard to imagine after seeing how poorly they played against Northwestern.
ESPN BPI: UCLA 67.4%
Time: 3:45 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
LGHL score prediction: UCLA 71, Ohio State 66
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Late Bill Walton's 'larger-than-life personality' to be honored by UCLA during game Sunday vs. Ohio State
The Bruins will celebrate the life of the legendary Walton, who died last year
www.cbssports.com
Late Bill Walton's 'larger-than-life personality' to be honored by UCLA during game Sunday vs. Ohio State
The Bruins will celebrate the life of the legendary Walton, who died last year
UCLA will honor the late Bill Walton when the Bruins face Ohio State at 3:45 p.m. ET Sunday in a game nationally televised on CBS. Walton died last May at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Fans attending the game will receive a commemorative poster "that celebrates Walton's life and legacy," according to UCLA. Students attending the game will receive a custom tie-dyed T-shirt "to celebrate Walton's larger-than-life personality."
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Based on the way they have been playing lately (losing 4 out of last 6 games and really getting blown out by Northwestern at home in their last game) I'm not all that optimistic either. Anyway we'll see how much "heart" the team has and/or if Diebler can get them to turn it around and actually play up to their potential for the entire 40 minutes.
Bracketology Bubble Watch: Arkansas, BYU and VCU boost their NCAA Tournament résumés with big wins
The Razorbacks move closer to making the field of 68 with a big win vs. Missouri on Saturday
www.cbssports.com
Bracketology Bubble Watch: Arkansas, BYU and VCU boost their NCAA Tournament résumés with big wins
Ohio State
at UCLA, 3:45 p.m. | CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App and Paramount+ with Showtime (try it free)The Buckeyes got embarrassed at home against Northwestern this week and dropped to 15-12. Now, they have a lot to do if they hope to end up with a good enough record to be considered for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State's margin for error is pretty much gone.
I'm guessing that to get in the NCAA tournament they will have to either;
1. win the B1G tournament for the automatic invitation
or
2. win out (at UCLA, at USC, Corn, and at Indiana) plus win a B1G tournament game or 2.
And neither is very likely.
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