Ucla Bruins vs Prairie View A&m Panthers Picks and Predictions December 17th 2024

UCLA Riding Momentum From Two Comeback Wins

No. 18 UCLA (9-1) enters Tuesday’s matchup against Prairie View A&M on an impressive eight-game winning streak, bolstered by back-to-back dramatic victories. The Bruins return to Pauley Pavilion, where they are undefeated (7-0), following a thrilling 73-71 road win at Oregon and a 57-54 neutral-site triumph over Arizona in Phoenix on Saturday.

Dylan Andrews’ last-second banked 3-pointer sealed the Oregon victory, while UCLA’s defense shut down Arizona down the stretch, outscoring the Wildcats 19-5 in the final moments.

Tyler Bilodeau led the Bruins against Arizona with 17 points, improving his team-high scoring average to 13.7 points per game. Skyy Clark contributed a breakout performance with 15 points, including clutch free throws to close the game.

UCLA coach Mick Cronin praised Clark, a Los Angeles native, for his defensive tenacity and timely offense. “He was one of the first guys I recruited,” Cronin said.

Bruins’ Elite Defense Could Overwhelm Prairie View A&M

UCLA boasts the nation’s best turnover-forcing defense, per KenPom.com, forcing opponents into turnovers on 27.7% of their possessions. Guard tandem Kobe Johnson (2.2 steals per game) and Skyy Clark (1.9 steals per game) spearhead a defensive effort that allows just 55 points per game, the best mark in the country.

The Bruins’ ability to pressure ballhandlers and limit scoring opportunities has been a cornerstone of their success this season. Cronin’s defensive system has disrupted opposing offenses, and Prairie View A&M will need near-flawless execution to compete.

Prairie View A&M Looking for First Division I Win

Prairie View A&M (1-9) arrives in Los Angeles still searching for its first win against Division I competition. The Panthers, who have played all nine such games on the road, endured a heartbreaking 76-75 loss to Loyola Marymount on Saturday after surrendering a buzzer-beating layup.

Despite the struggles, the Panthers feature a standout in Nick Anderson, who averages 19 points per game. Anderson tallied 20 points in the LMU loss, while Tanahj Pettway added 18 points, including a pair of free throws that briefly gave PVAMU the lead with two seconds remaining.

Panthers coach Byron Smith emphasizes toughness as the team navigates a challenging schedule. “This season will be a bit of a gauntlet,” Smith said. “We have a tough team. Guys are really competing hard.”

Statistical Mismatch in Scoring Defense

Tuesday’s matchup highlights a stark contrast between UCLA’s defense and Prairie View A&M’s struggles to limit opponents:

• UCLA: Holds teams to 55 points per game, the best in the nation.
• Prairie View A&M: Surrenders 95.5 points per game, the second-worst mark in Division I.

PVAMU’s strength lies in limiting turnovers, ranking 34th nationally with a turnover percentage of 14.5%. However, the Bruins’ relentless defense will test the Panthers’ ability to maintain that efficiency under pressure.

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What’s at Stake

UCLA seeks to extend its winning streak to nine games and further solidify its defensive dominance ahead of conference play. Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M hopes to build on its recent competitiveness and secure its first Division I victory of the season.

With UCLA’s defense clicking and PVAMU’s scoring struggles on full display, the Bruins appear primed to control the game from start to finish.

Prediction: UCLA 82, Prairie View A&M 58.