In Reply to: one big issue today posted by barrya on December 08, 2024 at 10:16:36
are more important in terms of offensive production. If UCLA can hold each of them to one basket below their averages, that's the 4 point margin right there.
Oregon is a below average team on the defensive boards (even though Bittle is a beast there), so if the Bruins get just one extra basket off the O-glass, they could have a winning margin.
What's interesting regarding Bittle and Mara is that Bittle averaged less than 7 minutes a game as a freshman, about 18 minutes as a sophmore, and now, after being out hurt last year, he's averaging 26 minutes, 13 points, and 9 boards; and has opponents' fans quaking in their boots as they consider how to contain him.
That could be Mara next year.
Having said all that, I agree today's game is a critical milestone for measuring the progress of both Mara and Williams.