YTD on UCLA games: 2-0

OK, here we go for another UCLA game write-up as promised.

Here's how I breakdown this game: Bruins coming off of a tough loss (though an ATS win ) at Texas. That's the type of tough loss on the road that can do one of two things to a team: demoralize them or bring them even close together. I've watched Ben Howland lead this UCLA program since he got the job, and there's one thing that I can say confidently: When UCLA suffers a loss, they almost invariably come back big the next game, especially if that next game is against a cupcake.

UCLA's defense will definitely show up in this game. They played OK against everyone on Texas except AJ Abrams, and they have to be salivating to unleash their fury for that loss at a helpless Northridge team that is 0-5 in their last 5 games, all on the road. Want a good comparison to what UCLA should be able to do to CSUN? Northridge played Stanford at Stanford on November 18, and they lost by 18. UCLA > Stanford, as I think everyone will admit

Another reason to like UCLA here: The three leading scorers on CSUN's team are two forwards and their point guard. UCLA can neutralize the bigs (who they should have the athletic edge over them) with their well-timed double teams in the post, which they do like clockwork against bigs who might have trouble handling the ball. Collison is one of the best in the NCAA in putting on-ball pressure on an opposing point guard, which generally will cause offensives to have to initiate themselves higher from where they normally do, which means longer passes, and more time for the defense to react. The three leading CSUN scorers are numbers 1, 2, and 4 in total turnovers for their team.

CSUN hasn't seen UCLA type defense with elite athletes. I'm expecting a lot of easy UCLA points on CSUN turnovers.

UCLA -22, LARGE $$$$ play