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For the second time in 2017, the Cincinnati Bearcats will take on the UCLA Bruins. However, unlike the first matchup, this game will not take place in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Instead, the No. 25 Bearcats will visit Pauley Pavilion to try to knock the Bruins down.
- Tipoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Television: CBS
- Announcing crew: Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Bill Raftery (analyst) and John Schriffen (sideline reporter)
- Radio: 700 WLW
- Announcing crew: Dan Hoard (play-by-play) and Terry Nelson (analyst)
- Series history: UCLA rode a hot shooting second half to a 79-67 win over the Bearcats in the second round of the NCAA tourney this past spring. The all-time series, which dates back to 1962, is tied 2-2.
A 65-50 win over Mississippi State was just what the doctor ordered for Cincinnati (8-2), which bounced back from consecutive losses this past Tuesday. Jacob Evans played his best game of the season (24 points, eight rebounds, three assists) and Gary Clark blocked five shots to go with 13 rebounds and nine points. UC held MSU to 30.2 percent shooting, which may be difficult to replicate against a UCLA team that relies heavily on its Steve Alford designed offense.
Speaking of the Bruins (7-2), they have been off for a week, recovering from an overtime loss to Michigan. KenPom ranks them 46th in the country, 42nd in adjusted offense and 66th in adjusted defense. UC has them topped in overall ranking (13) and adjusted defense (four), but that doesn’t mean this will be an easy one.