Arizona vs UCLA LIVE Radio Broadcast/Preview: Defense and Offense Clash in Pac-12 Tournament Final
ByBoth the UCLA Bruins and Arizona Wildcats (4) have coasted through the Pac-12 Tournament to meet in the finals.
For the second time this season, one of the best offenses in the nation meets one of the best defenses. The Bruins have had three months to stew on their loss to the conference rival Wildcats.
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After opening their season with 21 consecutive wins, Arizona stumbled when they lost Brandon Ashley for the rest of the season to injury. For the past month or so, they have seemingly reassured their footing, losing only once in their past eight games, including the tournament.
UCLA stumbled a bit too, with three losses in a five-game stretch, but they beat Oregon 82-63 and Stanford 84-59 to get to the Pac-12 final and chance at revenge.
"This is the rivalry everyone came here to watch," UCLA senior Travis Wear told reporters, according to ESPN.
"Arizona is obviously one of the top teams in the country defensively," Wear said, "Both of us can score the ball. It's going to be a good game."
UCLA's average point total per game was 10th-best in the nation this season and was led by a lethal scoring duo of Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson. Arizona may not be able to match their firepower on offense, but the Wildcats' defense allowed 57.6 points per game, 3rd-best in the nation.
"I think we're playing really well right now. We did just beat a good Colorado team," Arizona guard T.J. McConnell said, according to ESPN. "In the second half, our offense was a lot better. We were moving, screening, cutting. We were making open shots, and we were executing the offense.
"I think if we do that on a nightly basis, it's going to be pretty tough for us to lose."