Can UCLA Bruins Tame the Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena?

As the UCLA Bruins prepare to face off against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena on January 18, fans are eager to see if their team can maintain its recent momentum. The Bruins have shown a mix of performances in their past games, with a notable victory against the Washington Huskies and a tough loss to the Utah Utes.

In their latest triumph over the Huskies, UCLA demonstrated solid teamwork with 20 assists and an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.33. They capitalized on turnovers, scoring 26 points off them and showcasing defensive prowess with eight steals and four blocks. Their shooting was efficient from both inside and beyond the arc, hitting 50 percent from the field overall and an encouraging 43 percent from three-point range.

However, consistency has been a concern for UCLA as evidenced by their performance against Utah where they struggled offensively. The Bruins only managed to shoot 32 percent from the field and were outrebounded significantly by Utah's aggressive board work which led to a lopsided defeat.

The upcoming game presents an opportunity for redemption as well as challenges; playing away could test UCLA's adaptability. Fans will be looking for improved ball security after turnovers proved costly in previous outings.

The venue might influence play style; Desert Financial Arena is known for its energetic atmosphere which could fuel both teams but particularly energize ASU's home-court advantage. The Bruins will need to focus on maintaining composure amidst this environment.

For those who bleed blue and gold, mark your calendars: catch your Bruins live on Pac-12 Network or head down to Tempe this Thursday night at 7:00 PM Pacific Time (9:00 PM Mountain Time) as they seek another conference win in what promises to be an exciting showdown.