March Madness: Two players will determine the result of UCLA-Arizona

The UCLA Bruins defeated the Stanford Cardinal, 88-77, to advance to the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals against the Arizona Wildcats.

The UCLA Bruins started on the right foot on their pursuit of March Madness glory. UCLA defeated Stanford in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Tournament. Now, the Bruins are set to face the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats to potentially advance to the Pac-12 Tournament Finals.

The Bruins have a rough path to the NCAA Tourney that may only be feasible if they defeat Arizona. While UCLA can still get an at-large bid if they lose in the semifinals, the chances may be slim. A finals appearance is necessary. A win over the first-seed cements UCL’s inclusion; win or lose in the finals.

Defeating Arizona is likely going to come down to one key question for the UCLA Bruins:

Can Aaron Holiday carry UCLA more than Deandre Ayton can carry Arizona?

Aaron Holiday has been the heart and soul of this team. Holiday is the Bruins’ best player and is one of the best scorers in the NCAA. The junior guard is averaging 20.1 points, 5.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. Holiday is 43rd in the nation in scoring and has potential first overall pick Deandre Ayton beat by 0.2 points per game.

Holiday singlehandedly carried the Bruins over Stanford on Thursday. The junior scored 34 points on 12-15 shooting with seven rebounds and eight assists. Holiday played all 40 minutes.

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In UCLA’s win over Arizona during the season, the narrative was the same. Although the dominance was not as impressive, Holiday led all scorers with 17 points alongside eight assists and two steals. Holliday played 36 minutes.

Ayton was just as good that game. Ayton scored 16 points alongside 12 rebounds and two blocks. However, it ultimately was not enough to erase the great shooting night from the Bruins.

In Arizona’s game against Colorado Ayton was not as noticeable. The big man scored just 10 points on 4-14 shooting with six rebounds and three blocks. Alonzo Trier took over the reigns, scoring 22 points for the Wildcats. For Arizona, though, they should not rely on the same kind of result as the first round.

We see it in March Madness every year. The best team does not always win, the hottest team (often times with a big star) when. The UCLA Bruins are hot with wins over USC and Stanford. Aaron Holiday is looking like an absolute superstar.

And the only way for Arizona to counteract this is with a superstar of their own. UCLA vs. Arizona. Aaron Holiday vs. Deandre Ayton.

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The UCLA Bruins are going to need Holiday’s continued dominance to make a mark during March Madness. That begins with a battle against Deandre Ayton and Arizona.