Discover UCLA's elite playmaking guard and stifling defense, then see how UCF's similar strengths and rebounding advantage stack up.
The UCF Knights (21-11, 9-9 Big 12) embarked on their journey to Philadelphia on Wednesday in preparation for their matchup against the No. 7 seed UCLA Bruins (23-11, 13-7 Big Ten) on Friday.
Friday's matchup is the first head-to-head meeting for these two teams. The Bruins are an unfamiliar opponent, but their DNA is surprisingly similar to the Knights.
As UCF's NCAA Tournament run begins after a six-year drought, here are UCLA's strengths and weaknesses to visualize how the Knights match up against their opponent.
BRUINS' DONOVAN DENT ORCHESTRATES THE SHOW
The 6-foot-2 guard is UCLA's floor general, dropping 7.6 dimes a game, which is third in the Big Ten and tied for third in the nation. He's recorded eight games of 10 or more assists, including two games with 15 assists.
ESPN's Jay Bilas spoke highly of Dent, saying he's "one of the five best point guards in the nation."
Elite guard play drives a deep NCAA Tournament run, which the Bruins possess with Dent. His ability to take over a game through playmaking is dangerous, which helps create open shots for teammates.
UCLA LED BY DEFENSIVE-MINDED COACH MICK CRONIN
Cronin's philosophy is defending and rebounding the ball, similar to that of coach Johnny Dawkins. The Bruins allow 71 points per game (eighth best in Big Ten), opponents to shoot 43.3% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range (both sixth best).
Although UCLA never faced UCF, Dawkins has faced Cronin before, back when the Knights were a part of the American Athletic Conference. Dawkins identified the hallmarks of the Bruins defensive philosophy because of his history with Cronin.
"Toughness and the ability to defend and rebound, I think, have been hallmarks of what he's done at Cincinnati," Dawkins said. "And I'm sure he's doing something similar at UCLA. I haven't seen them out there, of course, but I don't think he would trade that or change anything because he's been very successful at what he's done."
BRUINS STRUGGLE REBOUNDING DESPITE FRONT COURT SIZE
UCLA's tallest players are forwards Steven Jamerson II, who is 6-foot-10, and Xavier Booker, who is 6-foot-11. Their heights signify that the Bruins have size, but their on-court play suggests otherwise.
Jamerson II plays 9.6 minutes a game, averaging two rebounds, and Booker averages 3.3 rebounds in 19.6 minutes. Forward Tyler Bilodeau (6-foot-9) averages 5.6 rebounds, and guard Eric Dailey Jr. (6-foot-8) averages 5.8 rebounds.
UCLA averages 32.7 rebounds, which is almost five fewer rebounds than UCF.
HOW THE KNIGHTS MATCH UP AGAINST THEIR OPPONENT
Overall, the DNA of both teams is similar. Dent and UCF guard Themus Fulks operate as their team's primary playmaker, dropping dimes to get teammates going. They're great three-point shooting programs — UCF shooting 36.2% and UCLA shooting 38.2%.
Cronin and Dawkins are defensive-minded coaches; they use multiple defensive strategies throughout the game and fight for extra possessions on the glass.
Friday's matchup could be a shootout between two programs that play a similar brand of basketball, as both aim to make a deep tournament run carried by elite guard play.
UCF and UCLA will face off at 7:25 p.m. at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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