Basketball Gameday's Top 10: UK vs. UCLA

For the first time since August, we have a Saturday without Kentucky football.  Luckily, there’s more Kentucky football on the horizon.  Until we officially discover where Kentucky will play next, the BBN has a basketball treat.

The No. 11 UCLA Bruins travel to Rupp Arena to open the CBS college basketball season, preempting the SEC Championship game at 12:30.  I probably don’t have to tell you this, but the two have 19 combined National Championships.

Even though they’ve been streaky over the last decade, this is probably the Bruins’ best team since Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook carried Ben Howland to the Final Four.  Steve Alford has returning experience and Lonzo Ball, arguably the most electric freshman in the country.

Today’s game should be a fun one, so let’s get to it.

1. Lonzo Ball vs. De’Aaron Fox

A year ago they were the two top high school point guards in the country.  Today they’ll battle head-to-head.  Ball is the nation’s leader in assists, dishing out 9.6 a game, but Fox isn’t far behind at No. 4 with 7.6 assists a game.  Even though Isaiah Briscoe is probably best suited to defend Ball, I’d like to see Cal let Fox and Ball settle it mono e mono.

2. A Shoot Out

I said the same thing before the Arizona State game and we all know how that turned out, but this UCLA team has the big guns to go back and forth with the Big Blue.  Can they remain composed in Rupp?  Probably not for the entire game, but the numbers say it will be a wild one.

3.  A Grudge Match

Even though the two have the most National Championships in college basketball, the Cats and the Bruins are infrequent opponents.  This will be the first time UCLA has ever played at Rupp Arena.

The series was revived at the 2014 CBS sports Classic before a home-and-home was scheduled.  For the third consecutive year, Kentucky enters as the No. 1 team in the nation.  Last year Thomas Welsh and his stupid face dominated the post.  I have a hunch that won’t happen again.  It probably won’t be like the dominant defensive performance from the 38-1 team either.

The 24-0 shutout to start the game in Chicago is the most fun I’ve ever had at a basketball game.  Let’s relive it uno mas tiempo.

If you prefer quick highlights from the game, watch the three minute version from KY Wildcats TV.

4. Paint Rupp Blue and White

Rupp rarely throws out gimmicks, but a game against UCLA is worth it.  They are encouraging fans to wear either blue or white, depending on where you are sitting.  If you’re going to today’s game, take a look at the graphic below and dress accordingly.

5.  Stoops Recruits at Rupp Arena

After spending a week on the road, the finale for the biggest recruiting week of the year is today in Lexington.  A dozen or more top targets will be in town for official visits.  Now with momentum, Stoops should be able to capitalize and land a few commits before the day is over.  The official visitors:

• Cedrick Dort, Florida Cornerback**
• Joshua Ali, Florida Wide Receiver**
• Jamin Davis, Georgia Linebacker**
• Walker Wood, Kentucky Quarterback**
• Javonte Richardson, Ohio Wide Receiver**
• Michael Nesbitt, Florida Cornerback**
• Bryant Koback, Ohio Running Back**
• Danny Davis, Ohio Wide Receiver
• Lynn Bowden, Ohio Athlete
• Thayer Munford, Ohio Offensive Tackle
• Leroy Henley, Florida Wide Receiver
• Joshua Paschal, Maryland Outside Linebacker/Defensive End
• Lonnie Johnson, Junior College Defensive Back

To see a more complete look at recruiting from this week, click here.

6. Congrats to the 1A State Champs

Hazard did not go down without a fight.  Trying to prevent Beechwood from winning their 12th state title, Hazard tied the game with 11 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.  On the following drive, Beechwood responded with a touchdown to take a 21-14 lead, a lead they never surrendered.  Beechwood is now tied with Mayfield and St. X for the second-most state championships in the state of Kentucky.

If you an’t make it to today’s game, you can stream them live on prepspin.com.

• Belfry vs. Central, 5:00
• Trinity vs. Lafayette, 8:00

7. Miss Hey Kentucky?

Start your day with this clip, then watch the full episode here.

8. UK Volleyball Advances in the NCAA Tournament

The Cats have advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament behind exceptional defense.  In her first start of the year, sophomore McKenzie Watson had a career-high 21 digs to help the Cats take down Colorado State in four sets.  The team totaled 80 digs on the day, a season-high.  They’ll play Washington tomorrow night at 10:30.

9.  Conference Championship Saturday

Washington and Western Michigan are the first two winners of championship week.  Another one will be crowned before Kentucky crowns two state football champions.  WKU hosts Louisiana Tech in the C-USA Championship game at noon.  Here’s a look at the rest of today’s games.

• Noon — Temple at Navy
• 12:30 — Oklahoma at Oklahoma State
• 3:30 — Baylor at West Virginia
• 4:00 — Alabama vs. Florida
• 8:00 — Clemson vs. Virginia Tech
• 8:00 — Wisconsin vs. Penn State

10.  The KSR Pregame Show Begins at 10:00

Get those radio dials turned 630 WLAP or stream the show here.