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March Madness 2017: Three things to watch for in UCLA vs Cincinnati

By Keith Rivas

Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts on the court against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts on the court against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 8, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) dunks to score a basket against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 8, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) dunks to score a basket against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Return of Ike Anigbogu to the lineup

The one thing that was missing from the game against Kent State was UCLA big man Ike Anigbogu.

According to ESPN staff writer Brian Bennett, the Bruins will have Anigbogu in their arsenal tonight. He missed their first game due to a foot injury.

UCLA was out-rebounded 36-33 in their opening match up. Given that the Bearcats play a very physical style of basketball, that’s not an option tonight if they want to win.

Versus Kent State, the main reason that the lack of rebounding wasn’t a disadvantage was because the Bruins surpassed them in raw talent.

Also, the stunning part of the rebounding issues from the first game was that only six of them were offensive rebounds. The rest were just grabbing boards defensively.

Second chance points are what will put the Bruins in a position to win and move on. Without those opportunities, the Bearcats could be able to get into the head of UCLA’s stars.

Averaging 4.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, Anigbogu’s presence will mean more than anything. If Cincinnati knows they’re going to have to go up against him and still play scrappy, it could give the Bruins that extra edge.

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