Call
it one spiced-up rubber match, if you will. After splitting the
two-game season series, UCLA and Arizona will clash for a third and final time Wednesday at the Galen Center, one of four first-round
match-ups in the 2012 Pacific Life Pac-12 Tournament.
Of course, it's hardly just bragging rights that are at stake. A loss for either team and the season comes to a close - no consolation rounds, no WNIT invitation, no March Madness. A win would obviously extend the venture into the conference tournament and keep the postseason chances alive, as faint as those might be. With that being said, the following are some thoughts on what to expect come tip-off tomorrow.
A Guard-Heavy Wildcat Offense
Arizona might be dead-last in the conference standings at 3-15, but the Wildcats certainly don't make for an idle scoreboard, owning the fourth-highest scoring offense in the Pac-12. That isn't too surprising considering the three mainstays of the Arizona backcourt. In fact, the trio of Davellyn Whyte (17 points per game), Candice Warthen (11.6), and Shanita Arnold (10) account for more than half of the 67.1 total points Arizona averages per game. As they did in the two regular-season games against UCLA, the Wildcats will likely look to push the tempo of the game, which wouldn't actually be a bad thing for the Bruins as long as they can control the defensive boards.
The Inverse to Arizona's Backcourt: Defensive Rotations
The question then remains: how to rein in the Wildcat's dynamic guard play? Look for the Bruins to counter by going to their zone defense. There's no doubt that this season has been an exhaustive one for the short-handed blue and gold. But in order for the Bruins to advance in the tournament, they'll have to stay sharp on their feet and get the necessary stops.
"It's going to be a team effort on defense," UCLA head coach Cori Close said. "We want to be able to set our defense, slow Arizona down, and prevent it from being a one-on-one game. We want to make it one-on-Bruins, and to the extent that we can make it that type of game will be the extent to which we can play our style."
Inside touches will be harder to come by for the Bruins
The last time these two teams met, UCLA clearly held the advantage in the post. Kacy Swain notched career highs with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Rhema Gardner made it a point to crash the glass, reeling in 12 rebounds. This time, though, the Wildcats will have the services of 6-foot-5 center Aley Rohde (who did not play in the Bruins' 72-58 victory on Feb. 25) to pair with Erica Barnes.
Will the Bruins hold as thorough of an advantage as they did previously? Taking into consideration the addition in size for the Wildcats, the stakes, and a neutral venue, likely not. But as has been clear all season long, UCLA's success will rest on the ability to get out in transition. In other words, rebound and run, and an appearance in the second looks that much more likely for the Bruins.
Of course, it's hardly just bragging rights that are at stake. A loss for either team and the season comes to a close - no consolation rounds, no WNIT invitation, no March Madness. A win would obviously extend the venture into the conference tournament and keep the postseason chances alive, as faint as those might be. With that being said, the following are some thoughts on what to expect come tip-off tomorrow.
A Guard-Heavy Wildcat Offense
Arizona might be dead-last in the conference standings at 3-15, but the Wildcats certainly don't make for an idle scoreboard, owning the fourth-highest scoring offense in the Pac-12. That isn't too surprising considering the three mainstays of the Arizona backcourt. In fact, the trio of Davellyn Whyte (17 points per game), Candice Warthen (11.6), and Shanita Arnold (10) account for more than half of the 67.1 total points Arizona averages per game. As they did in the two regular-season games against UCLA, the Wildcats will likely look to push the tempo of the game, which wouldn't actually be a bad thing for the Bruins as long as they can control the defensive boards.
The Inverse to Arizona's Backcourt: Defensive Rotations
The question then remains: how to rein in the Wildcat's dynamic guard play? Look for the Bruins to counter by going to their zone defense. There's no doubt that this season has been an exhaustive one for the short-handed blue and gold. But in order for the Bruins to advance in the tournament, they'll have to stay sharp on their feet and get the necessary stops.
"It's going to be a team effort on defense," UCLA head coach Cori Close said. "We want to be able to set our defense, slow Arizona down, and prevent it from being a one-on-one game. We want to make it one-on-Bruins, and to the extent that we can make it that type of game will be the extent to which we can play our style."
Inside touches will be harder to come by for the Bruins
The last time these two teams met, UCLA clearly held the advantage in the post. Kacy Swain notched career highs with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Rhema Gardner made it a point to crash the glass, reeling in 12 rebounds. This time, though, the Wildcats will have the services of 6-foot-5 center Aley Rohde (who did not play in the Bruins' 72-58 victory on Feb. 25) to pair with Erica Barnes.
Will the Bruins hold as thorough of an advantage as they did previously? Taking into consideration the addition in size for the Wildcats, the stakes, and a neutral venue, likely not. But as has been clear all season long, UCLA's success will rest on the ability to get out in transition. In other words, rebound and run, and an appearance in the second looks that much more likely for the Bruins.
