The NCAA Men’s Basketball season will be returning with a rivalry match being on offer in the opening week. Despite the issues across the world, the NCCA has arranged ‘Bubbleville‘ in Connecticut. It will allow them to go through 11-days of basketball without exposing anyone involved to the COVID-19 virus.
The NCAA has seen a whole host of games being canceled due to breakouts in their respective programs. The marquee game between the Florida Gators and Virginia Cavaliers was canceled as well after the Gators had positive cases. As a result, gatherings like the ‘Bubbleville’ may soon become the norm.
The NCAA announces the entire 2021 NCAA Basketball tournament will be played at a single site, with Indianapolis being discussed as a potential location to host it.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 16, 2020
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The UCLA Bruins will take on rivals San Diego State Aztecs. The Bruins are ranked 22nd by the Associated Press, while San Diego missed out on being added to the top 25. However, both teams have high hopes this season and this opening clash will be electric.
NCAA Men’s Basketball: Who wins this Western clash?
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The Bruins and the Aztecs can both expect solid seasons this year. San Diego State were one of the best teams in college basketball last season, and the cancelation of the tournament must haunt them, more so now that UCLA are pegged to be ahead of them in most pre-season rankings.
UCLA will see Chris Smith return to the team, and that is a massive advantage, especially after former star Prince Ali left the team. Most of the core from last season is back, along with Johnny Juzang, who is transferring from Kentucky. However, the biggest returning asset is Mike Cronin, who will enter his second season at the helm of the Bruins. Cronin helped UCLA push up the standings late last season and is a big reason for their high pre-season projections.
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However, San Diego State hasn’t been that lucky. They lost three important players in Malachi Flynn, Yanni Wetzell, and KJ Feagin. They have retooled around remaining starters, Jordan Schakel and Matt Mitchell. However, they have a weak backcourt duo, with a 5’8 PG (Terrel Gomez) and a starting shooting guard who averaged under four points last season (Trey Pulliam).
The continuity that UCLA is bringing into the season will be hard to overcome. San Diego State has the ingredients for success, but it remains to be seen if they can come together to repeat last season’s success. But for this game, the Bruins will take it.
