Northwestern is looking to maintain its momentum from a recent victory over USC as they prepare to face off against UCLA on Saturday. The Bruins come into the game energized after a thrilling 69-67 win over No. 4 Purdue, marking their third win in four games. Although UCLA is currently unranked, they once reached as high as No. 12 this season and pose a significant challenge with their depth and offensive options.
To secure a win against the Bruins, Northwestern must focus on several key areas.
First and foremost, the Wildcats need to improve their three-point shooting. Despite a solid performance against USC, Northwestern’s long-range shooting remains a concern. They sank only three threes against the Trojans and currently sit at 31% from beyond the arc for the season, one of the lowest percentages in the Big Ten. Nick Martinelli has emerged as a reliable shooter, hitting 52.1% of his threes, and Jake West has also stepped up since joining the starting lineup. However, consistency is crucial—NU will need more than just a couple of players finding their rhythm from the perimeter to remain competitive against UCLA, which will likely focus on defending the paint.
Another critical factor will be limiting the connection between UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent. Bilodeau is currently the Bruins’ leading scorer, averaging 18.2 points per game, and has been on fire lately, scoring over 21 points per game in his last three games. Dent, who previously earned accolades as the Mountain West Player of the Year, is finding his stride with increasing points and assists. Northwestern’s defense will need to be vigilant against their pick-and-roll strategies to ensure Bilodeau does not find open looks and Dent does not facilitate easy scoring opportunities.
Lastly, the Wildcats must defend without fouling. Northwestern committed a staggering 25 fouls in their last outing, resulting in 43 free throw attempts for USC. This level of fouling cannot be repeated against a disciplined team like UCLA, which excels at drawing fouls and capitalizing at the free-throw line. Effective defensive positioning will be essential, as excessive fouling disrupts team rhythm and can lead to key players sitting out due to foul trouble.
In summary, if Northwestern can improve their three-point shooting, effectively manage the Dent-Bilodeau connection, and maintain disciplined defense without fouling, they will enhance their chances of pulling off a win against UCLA. This matchup represents a critical opportunity for the Wildcats to assert themselves against a formidable opponent and build on their recent success.