Ten numbers to remember going into Kentucky vs. UCLA

Just a month ago, Kentucky‘s matchup vs. UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic appeared to be a dud, two programs with preseason hype coming up short in games that actually mattered. The Wildcats lost their first marquee matchups vs. Michigan State and at Gonzaga on Nov. 15 and No. 20, respectively, while the Bruins lost in back-to-back games in Las Vegas against No. 19 Illinois and No. 5 Baylor on Nov. 18 and Nov. 20.

Fast forward a few short weeks, and both programs are on solid winning streaks (four for UK, six for UCLA) and sitting comfortably inside the top 20.

Following the loss in Spokane, Kentucky has blown out North Florida, ran away late vs. Bellarmine, came up clutch against Michigan in London and earned a hard-fought win over Yale at Rupp Arena. As for UCLA, it has blown out Pepperdine, Denver and Bellarmine, knocked out Stanford in a true road game, clawed out a nine-point win over Oregon and absolutely crushed No. 20 Maryland on the road. A jump into the top 10 is potentially on the table for both teams with a win.

What do you need to know about the Bruins going into the matchup? Here are ten numbers to keep track of as we approach tip-off.

81.8 points per game

UCLA enters the day ranked No. 2 in the Pac-12 in scoring, averaging an impressive 81.8 points per contest. That’s good for No. 30 in college basketball and No. 9 among high-major programs. The reason? Five different players average at least 10 points per contest, led by star forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. at 17.1 PPG (56.3% FG, 79.3% FT).

They’re also first in the conference in scoring margin and No. 11 in college basketball at +18.8 PPG.

50.4% shooting

Not only are the Bruins putting up a lot of points, they’re doing so efficiently, shooting 50.4% from the field overall, with five different rotation players hitting the 50% mark on the year.

Freshman center Adem Bona leads the way with 68.9% shooting overall (31-45) in 10 games, followed by guard Jaylen Clark (62.2% FG, 41.7% 3PT), Jaquez Jr. (56.3% FG) and guard David Singleton (51.2% FG, 50% 3PT). The only two rotation players averaging at least 15 minutes per game not hitting the 50% mark are Amari Bailey (49.5% FG) and Tyger Campbell (39.1% FG), the former barely missing that mark.

As a team, UCLA is ranked No. 3 in offensive efficiency overall.

56-2 when holding opponents under 65 points

In four seasons under Mick Cronin, UCLA is 56-2 when limiting opponents to 65 points or fewer, including 7-0 this season. On the year, the Bruins are ranked No. 3 overall in scoring defense and No. 18 in defensive efficiency, allowing just 63.0 points per contest. They’re one of six teams inside the top 20 of both offensive and defensive efficiency.

+7.8 turnover margin

A key factor in the team’s defensive success this season? Forced turnovers, racking up 8.8 steals per game with a total turnover margin of +7.8 per game, good for No. 4 in the nation. The Bruins like to set the tone early, forcing 11 first-half turnovers against Maryland and turning that into 17 points the other way. That resulted in a 49-20 lead at the break, insurmountable for the Terrapins.

On the other end, UCLA averages just 9.6 turnovers per contest, with only one player averaging more than two per game. Cronin’s squad is disruptive on the defensive end of the floor, but secure on the offensive end. That’s a recipe for success.

6.1 rebounds per game

UCLA’s leading rebounder is barely breaking the six-per-game mark — and he’s a guard.

Clark, standing just 6-foot-5, leads the way for the Bruins with 6.1 boards per game, followed by versatile wing Jaquez Jr. with 5.5 per contest. In the frontcourt, Bona and Kenneth Nwuba are combining for 6.8 rebounds in a total of 35-ish minutes per game. As a team, UCLA averages just 34.4 boards per contest, good for an abysmal 257th in college basketball, including 281st on the defensive glass (23.9 DRPG).

Insert Oscar Tshiebwe, who is hauling in 13.3 rebounds (4.9 offensive) in 28.6 minutes per game, with the team averaging 41.3 on the year. The Wildcats are +7.7 on the boards in 2022-23.

Kentucky could have a field day in that area.

5 returning contributors from last season

Where is this offensive and defensive success coming from? It starts with returning talent, with five of the program’s 11 top contributors coming back from a Sweet 16 team that finished the year 27-8 overall. Jaquez Jr., Campbell, Singleton and Kenneth Nwuba are all seniors, while Clark is a junior. All five played in at least 20 games for the Bruins in 2021-22, with each competing in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

2 McDonald’s All-Americans

Outside of veteran help, UCLA also has blue-chip talent on the roster in the form of two Burger Boys — one being a former Kentucky target out of high school. Bona — averaging 7.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.8 minutes per game — chose the Bruins over the Wildcats this past recruiting cycle, while Bailey — averaging 10.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 27.3 minutes — chose UCLA over Kansas and Alabama.

The Bruins have had two combined McDonald’s All-Americans dating back to 2018.

2-2 away from home

Kentucky’s two losses on the year came away from home, the first in Indianapolis vs. Michigan State and the next in Spokane at Gonzaga. The same can be said for UCLA, who lost back-to-back games in Las Vegas back in November.

The difference, though, is that the Bruins have two true road victories at Stanford and at No. 20 Maryland, while the Wildcats’ lone victory away from home came vs. Michigan in London.

One team will be taking home a third loss in this category on Saturday.

3-2 vs. Kentucky in the John Calipari Era

Kentucky and UCLA have played a total of 15 times in the programs’ respective histories, an 8-7 advantage in the Wildcats’ favor. Thing is, the Bruins have the edge during John Calipari’s time in Lexington with three victories in five tries.

More recently, UCLA has won three of the last four matchups, with Kentucky’s lone win coming in the 2017 Sweet 16 — the De’Aaron Fox game.

Coach Cal has a chance to tie the series up during his time at UK, while UCLA has a chance to make it an even 8-8 overall with a win.

16-15 all-time in New York City

How have the two teams fared historically in the Big Apple? UCLA enters Saturday’s matchup with a 16-15 all-time record in New York City, including a 14-12 mark at Madison Square Garden. The last time the Bruins took on the Wildcats at MSG (Nov. 10, 2000), the former took home a 97-92 victory in a consolation game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament. That game marked UCLA’s only previous contest with Kentucky in New York City.

Kentucky, however, has been extremely successful in NYC over the years, specifically at MSG. Overall, the Wildcats are 38-15 in games in the big city, including wins in 10 of the last 13 games. In the modern-day version of Madison Square Garden, UK is 14-5.