Friday, June 26

Basketball predictions: UCLA vs. Arizona

UCLA men’s basketball will take on its rivals, the Arizona Wildcats, on Saturday night in a game chock-full of playoff implications. Both teams are ranked in the top 15 in the country, but Arizona is just ahead of UCLA in the conference standings. Read more...

Photo: Senior Bryce Alford hit the game-winning shot against Arizona last year at Pauley Pavilion. Buzzer beater or not, this year’s matchup should be just as exciting and down-to-the-wire between the Bruins and Wildcats. (Jintak Han/Assistant Photo editor)


ASU the latest team to fall against men’s basketball’s fierce offense

Arizona State tried. The Sun Devils (9-10, 2-4 Pac-12) really did. The visitors, who are ninth in the conference, made it close with a late first-half run that extended into the second half to cut the lead to just seven points with 12 minutes left in the game. Read more...

Photo: Sophomore Aaron Holiday had eight points in another edition of UCLA’s patented run against ASU. The Bruins have utilized these runs en route to a 19-1 record. (Mackenzie Possee/Assistant Photo editor)


Humor, work ethic boost TJ Leaf to unexpected prominence

For two weeks, T.J. Leaf was the best-kept secret in college basketball, the forward’s dazzling play overshadowed by the wizardry of fellow freshman Lonzo Ball. Then UCLA played Kentucky, and Leaf exploded onto the national stage with 17 points and 13 rebounds in the Bruins’ victory. Read more...

Photo: Lonzo Ball gets all the hype, but fellow freshman T.J. Leaf has emerged as a key cog for UCLA basketball. NBA scouts have projected the forward to be a potential top draft pick. (Mackenzie Possee/Assistant Photo editor)



UCLA women’s water polo to face top-25 teams at UCSB Winter Invitational

Coming off of strong performances against ranked opponents in the first invitational of the season, UCLA women’s water polo looks to continue its hot start at the UCSB Winter Invitational this weekend. Read more...

Photo: No. 3 UCLA will compete in their second tournament of the season this week at UCSB. Junior attacker Devin Grab says this week’s focus for the team is defense. (Daily Bruin file photo)


Bruins prepare to face Trojans in men’s volleyball after last year’s victory

Ali vs. Frazier, Coke vs. Pepsi, the Hatfields vs. the McCoys – all of these are iconic rivalries and another one will play out Friday. The No. Read more...

Photo: Sophomore opposite/setter Micah Ma’a is one of only four Bruins to play every single set this season. Ma’a has notched 107 assists and 24 kills, which rank first and fifth on the team respectively. (Hannah Ye/Daily Bruin senior staff)


Around the League: Oregon sets track and field records, Utah gymnast thrives

While Bruin athletes continue competing in Westwood, here’s a look at some of the biggest news from the rest of the Pac-12. Track and fieldMichael Hull, assistant Sports editor Nike co-founder Phil Knight has donated hundreds of millions of dollars over the years to the University of Oregon athletics department, and the track and field program has reaped the benefits. Read more...

Photo: UCLA downed USC by 15, but it was really a show between two players. UCLA junior forward Monique Billings dropped 28 points and added 11 rebounds while USC senior guard Courtney Jaco notched 27 points. (Daily Bruin file photo)