Pac-10 Preview: Arizona and UCLA Square Off At Pauley Pavilion
Sean Miller, head coach of the University of Arizona Men's Basketball program, has played in and coached in plenty of big games.
But Saturday's battle against Pac-10 rival UCLA is the biggest one since he took over in Tucson.
Here is a preview of some of the key match-ups that will determine the outcome of this important contest.
Along with giving some basic info about each match-up, we will state who has the advantage or if it is a push (tie).
The winner of today's game will be in the conference driver's seat heading into the last week of the regular season.
Coaches
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The sideline showdown may be as intense as any of the match-ups at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday.
Sean Miller is in his seventh year as a head coach, second at U of A.
He has an overall record of 159-67 (.703).
Ben Howland is in his 17th season as a head coach, eighth at UCLA.
His combined record at Northern Arizona, Pitt and UCLA is 343-175 (.662).
Both coaches stress defense and want their teams to work for a good shot.
Advantage: Push
Point Guards
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Jones vs. Jones
Arizona's Lamont "MoMo" Jones has elevated his game as of late. In the last 10 games, he is averaging 13.3 ppg and 2.6 apg.
Jones scored a career-high 27 points to help lead the Wildcats to a 107-105 triple-overtime thriller at Cal three weeks ago.
MoMo's biggest challenge is to play within himself, not turning easy plays into careless turnovers.
UCLA's Lazeric Jones is settling into his role as floor leader.
A JuCo transfer from Illinois, Jones had his best game as a Bruin this past Thursday night, scoring 10 points and handing out 10 assists against ASU.
Both of these PGs will look for their shot and are not hesitant to pull the trigger.
Slight Advantage: Lazeric Jones, UCLA
Shooting Guards
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Arizona's Kyle Fogg has had an uneven season, struggling at times to find the range that he has shown in his first two years at the U of A.
From the shooting guard position, Fogg leads the Wildcats in assists (2.8 apg) and usually draws the assignment of stopping the opponents' top backcourt player.
Fogg had one of the best games of his career last year at Pauley Pavilion, scoring 25 points to help Arizona capture a solid road victory.
UCLA's Malcolm Lee leads the Bruins in scoring (13.7 ppg).
Last weekend, Lee hit a stunning buzzer-beater to send the Bruins game against Cal into overtime.
Lee has played well against Arizona, scoring in double-figures in both games last year, as well as this season's earlier match-up.
Slight Advantage: Malcolm Lee, UCLA
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Shooting Forwards
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Arizona's Solomon Hill has had a solid sophomore campaign, averaging 7.8 ppg and 4.4 rpg (second on the team).
Hill rarely takes a bad shot; in fact, sometimes Hill needs to be a little more assertive in looking for his shot.
He shifts into a play-making point forward role very easily in the Wildcats balanced attack.
UCLA's Tyler Honeycutt has stepped up his game as a sophomore, averaging 12.7 ppg and 7.4 rpg.
Honeycutt's length and athleticism have caused mismatches all season.
Bruins fans are waiting for Honeycutt to have a true breakout game.
Slight Advantage: Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
Power Forwards
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Arizona's Jesse Perry is settling into the role as starting Power Forward.
The JuCo transfer (former teammate of UCLA's point guard, Lazeric Jones) is a versatile player who can put it on the floor, create his own shot and shoot from beyond the arc.
What he lacks in size (6'7", 210 pounds), Perry makes up for with speed and intensity.
Because Perry splits minutes with Jamelle Horne, his averages (6.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg) are deceptive.
UCLA's Reeves Nelson is one of the league's best power forwards.
He leads the Bruins in rebounding (8.8 rpg) and is their second-leading scorer (13.5 ppg).
Nelson is a tough player who doesn't mind mixing it up with anyone inside.
Advantage: Reeves Nelson, UCLA
Centers
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Arizona's Derrick Williams is not a true center, but the 6'8" sophomore uses that to his advantage.
He can hit the outside shot and he takes bigger and slower opponents to the hole, usually drawing a foul, going to the line and making them pay.
Williams leads the Wildcats in scoring (19.3 ppg) and rebounding (8.2 rpg).
UCLA's Josh Smith is having a decent freshman season, averaging 10.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg.
Smith is a load in the lane (6'10", 305 pounds) and effectively uses his size on defense and on the boards.
He will have his hands full trying to match up with a much more athletic Williams.
Huge Advantage: Derrick Williams, Arizona
Benches
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Arizona may be the Pac-10 team with the most depth and talent.
There is very little drop-off when Sean Miller starts to sub. It's not rare for Miller to use a 10- or 11-player rotation.
Kevin Parrom (pictured), Jamelle Horne and Jordin Mayes bring lots of punch off of the bench, and are all capable of playing major minutes for Arizona.
UCLA relies much more on their starting five than Arizona.
When Howland goes to the bench, he brings Jerime Anderson, Brendan Lane, and Tyler Lamb in for reinforcements.
Big Advantage: Arizona
Prediction
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On paper, UCLA seems to have the upper hand.
With playing at home and trying to erase Arizona's one-game lead, you'd think that the Bruins would come in and take care of business.
However, the Wildcats are going to be fired up, attempting to make up for their Thursday-night miscue against USC.
Prediction: Arizona by two in a great game that will come down to the wire
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