Scouting The Bruins: A Comprehensive Look At UCLA

The Basics

Mascot: Bruins

Location: Los Angeles

NCAA Titles: 11

Final Fours: 18

NCAA Tournament Trips: 44

Resume

Record: 26-8

Pac-12 Record: 12-6

RPI: 16

SOS: 14

Great wins:  Arizona

Good wins:  Oregon (2), Stanford (2), Colorado (2), Arizona State

Bad losses: None

RELATED STORY: Previewing The Sooners & North Dakota State

What's On The Line

This could be a historic day for the Bruins. UCLA is gunning for its 100^th all-time NCAA Tournament win, opposed to just 38 losses. 

This matchup stirs up memories of the 1994 classic, where the Golden Hurricane shocked the No. 5 seed Bruins, 112-102.  UCLA players said before that game that they didn't even know where Tulsa was.  Well, they learned quickly.  Now obviously none of the current players on either team are old enough to remember this matchup, but you can bet it's been mentioned to both sides. 

After dancing 13 times from 1982-2003, this is the Golden Hurricane's first trip since.  TU will look for its 12^th straight win. 

Key Players

G | Jordan Adams |Sophomore | 17.2 ppg | 5.3 rpg | 2.7 spg

G/F | Kyle Anderson | Sophomore | 14.9 ppg | 8.8 rpg | 6.6 asg

G | Norman Powell | Junior | 11.3 ppg

G | Zach LaVine | Freshman | 10 ppg

G | Bryce Alford | Freshman | 8.1 ppg | 2.7 asg

F | Travis Wear | Senior | 7 ppg | 3.3 rpg

C | Tony Parker | Sophomore | 6.8 ppg | 4.5 rpg

F | David Wear | Senior | 6.7 ppg | 3.9 rpg

How Tulsa Can Win

TU isn't the biggest team, but that's to be expected as a mid-major.  The good news? UCLA isn't that big, either. 

The Bruins' utilize twin brothers, David & Travis Wear, who both run 6-foot-9.  But both are more of jump-shooters and have a reputation of being soft.  Tony Parker is the biggest body TU will face, as his slightly overweight frame will be tough to handle.

UCLA's advantage comes from its guard combo of Anderson and Adams.  These two are NBA-level players and will undoubtedly provide headaches for the Tulsa backcourt. 

It sounds simple, but in order for TU to win this, it comes down to a fundamentals and luck.  The Golden Hurricane can't turn the ball over and let the more athletic Bruins have easy baskets.  Also, TU has to guard without fouling. UCLA has a deeper bench than Tulsa, so the Hurricane can't afford to lose any players.  

In addition, the 3-ball can be a difference maker.  James Woodard is the one guy that can really shoot it, and he'll need to.  If the Golden Hurricane can hit 8-10 3-pointers, it would go great lengths in evening the playing field.   

And as far as the luck, TU needs UCLA to miss shots.  If the Bruins are on fire, Tulsa has little to no chance. 

But remember this: It's March, so expect the unexpected.