Don't underestimate UCLA. It's would foolish.

[daniel2015]

UCLA had a lot of struggles early in the year. They lost four guys to the NBA off of last year's team. While they are short on depth, they have a certain amount of UCLA level-NBA talent. In fact, they have four McDonald's All American's on their roster. Kevon Looney, their top freshman was recruited by everyone last year. Isaac Hamilton has been rusty after a year long lay off, but he scored 36 in the PAC 12 semi final. Norman Powell is athletic in the mode of Russell Westbrook, who drives to the basket as well as any guard in the country. Bryce Alford is their point guard by default, he can play them into and out of games. The guy is deadly from three point range if left open. Tony Parker can be a beast down low if he stays out of foul trouble.

UCLA's problem is they have almost no depth. They start three guards. Off the bench they have a talented but skinny 7 foot center, a McDonald's All American, named Thomas Welsh. He is going to be good but he is a freshman. He can be a shot blocker. Also off the bench is 6-6 tweener Noah Allen. He's not much of a scoring threat but plays a little defense, and doesn't screw up much. Then there is a 6-10 kid named Gigi Golyman. Under normal circumstance he would have been red shirted. He can hit a few threes, and plays defense half way decent.

UCLA's starting guards play over 35 minutes a game.

If UCLA plays well, they can beat SMU. If SMU plays poorly, UCLA can blow out SMU. If SMU plays well they can beat UCLA.

This game is a toss up, with a very slight edge to the Pony's thanks to Larry Brown over Steve Alford.

I've seen a number of UCLA games this year. If there ever was a trap game for SMU it is this one. IN both games vs Arizona this year, UCLA led late into the second half before running out of gas.

[PonyKai]

I promise not to underestimate UCLA as a fan watching the game and pounding beers.

[SMU Section F]

I'm just trying to figure out how we're gonna beat Kentucky...

[The PonyGrad]

First NCAA game in 2 decades, not likely to be a trap.

[hoopmanx]

If UCLA plays well, they can beat SMU. If SMU plays poorly, UCLA can blow out SMU. If SMU plays well they can beat UCLA.

We've been blown out once this year and it was w/o Markus. It may end up a close game and I expect a fight, but they sure as hell aren't blowing us out.

[ponyte]

If they play 3 guards and they play most of the game, will LB use MK, YM and CC at the same time? Might create some interesting options.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I am fairly confident we are not going to underestimate a program like Ucla.

[SoCal_Pony]

I'm just trying to figure out how we're gonna beat Kentucky...

A+

[PonyFan32]

I am fairly confident we are not going to underestimate a program like Ucla.

Yeah, Larry will have done a really poor job of prepping us this week if we somehow are underestimating a blue blood school with major tradition that Larry once coached...

[Mustangs35SMU]

This game is a toss up

It really isn't. But thanks for the advice Mr. UCLA fan.

The last thing our team is going to do is underestimate anyone after working so hard to get to the tournament...especially a program that has the name UCLA in it.

[hoopmanx]

Lew Alcindor isn't walking through that door. Bill Walton is walking through that door. :pitinovoice

[RGV Pony]

And Jon koncak nor papa dia nor bamba fall ain't walking through that door.

[SMU Spartan]

Whatever happened to Papa Dia? I saw he did 1 season in Europe. That it?

[gostangs]

hey - I'd take konkack in s second. It hurt your eyes to watch him play, but he was effective.

I like our team. They are not going to be cocky. Its not like we are on our 5th tournament run here....If we get beat it because UCLA played better, not because we under estimated anyone.

[Blvd_Stang]

I really hope we don't underestimate UCLA.

It's the tourney, I have trust the godfather will have our boys ready.