The non-conference schedule is winding down, and there are still teams that are in dire need of some big wins for some momentum heading into conference play. The UCLA Bruins have already beaten one former No. 1 team in the land this year, and they'll have a shot to do it again to the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday at the Barclays Center.
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SCHEDULING
The coast is seemingly relatively clear for both of these teams heading into this game at the Barclays Center.
It's clear to us that UCLA had its mind on this game when it limped to an 88-80 win over Louisiana Lafayette on Wednesday night, and it wouldn't be surprising if North Carolina did the same against Tulane on Thursday.
That said, the Heels clearly have the easier road trip in front of them to get to Brooklyn than UCLA does, and this is a relatively short turnaround time for the Bruins to get here for an early Saturday tip time in the midst of finals week on campus.
North Carolina has the quicker turnaround time on the back end of this game, though no one is going to be overly concerned dealing with Appalachian State at home on Monday. UCLA is off until Tuesday's home game with McNeese State, its last game before entering Pac-12 play on New Year's Day.
KEY MATCHUP
Go back and look at the games against Gonzaga and Kentucky, and you'll see why the Bruins were able to win both games. In both instances, UCLA was undersized and should've been killed on the glass, but both times, it was +1. The Bruins don't need to win the rebounding battle by a million against North Carolina, but they need to make sure they don't get killed. Offensive rebounds are key in particular, as they create extra possessions for a team which is going to try to slow this game down just a bit.
That said, the onus is still on UCLA to find a way to stop UNC's bigs. Everyone on the court for the Tar Heels will be athletic and able to snare boards with the best of them, but when Roy Williams asks for his big lineup with Justin Jackson, Brice Johnson and a third big on the floor at the same time, the Bruins will have to find a way to matchup with men who are flat out smaller.
If the Bruins can either force North Carolina out of the bigger lineup or find a way to at least stay board for board when it, that should be a cue to live bettors that this could once again be a huge game with the potential for an upset. Keep in mind that UNC won't have Kennedy Meeks in this game after he suffered a knee injury last week, so that could help UCLA's cause.
KEY STAT
Marcus Paige really is the difference maker for North Carolina, and he's going to have even more pressure on his shoulders to perform at a high level with Meeks out for quite possibly an extended period of time.
North Carolina's point guard missed the first six games of the NCAAB season injured. It didn't really manifest itself in terms of wins and losses against a proportionately very tough non-conference schedule, but a deeper dig into the stats will show where the problem lies.
The Tar Heels always shoot the ball well from downtown, namely because they usually have great athletic wing players who can shoot over anyone guarding them. With Paige out though, this team is struggling to hit even 35 percent from deep. To his credit, Paige is 9-of-16 from beyond the arc since returning, and his ability to knock down shots from the outside, particularly while he's on the ball stepping back is crucial for the success of live bettors of the Tar Heels.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The showdown between the North Carolina Tar Heels and UCLA Bruins will start at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 19, 2015, at the Barclays Center. The contest will be broadcast on CBS.
