Skip to main content

UCLA Bruins square off against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Sweet 16

By The Associated Press

Minnesota Golden Gophers (24-8, 13-6 Big Ten) vs. UCLA Bruins (33-1, 21-0 Big Ten)

Sacramento, California; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bruins -18.5; over/under is 130.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 2 UCLA faces No. 18 Minnesota in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Bruins are 21-0 against Big Ten opponents and 12-1 in non-conference play. UCLA averages 22.3 assists per game to lead the Big Ten, paced by Charlisse Leger-Walker with 5.6.

The Golden Gophers’ record in Big Ten play is 13-6. Minnesota is fourth in the Big Ten with 11.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Sophie Hart averaging 3.5.

UCLA’s average of 7.5 made 3-pointers per game this season is only 0.7 more made shots on average than the 6.8 per game Minnesota allows. Minnesota scores 17.7 more points per game (74.6) than UCLA allows (56.9).

The teams meet for the second time this season. UCLA won 76-58 in the last matchup on Jan. 15. Kiki Rice led UCLA with 25 points, and Amaya Battle led Minnesota with 16 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Lauren Betts is scoring 17.1 points per game with 8.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Bruins. Rice is averaging 15.0 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 49.1% over the past 10 games.

Tori McKinney is scoring 12.9 points per game with 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Golden Gophers. Battle is averaging 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bruins: 10-0, averaging 84.2 points, 39.9 rebounds, 22.3 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 56.6 points per game.

Golden Gophers: 8-2, averaging 72.9 points, 34.4 rebounds, 16.1 assists, 7.5 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.4 points.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cheryl Reeve steps away from the WNBA grind for a Hall of Fame induction

By The Associated Press
Cheryl Reeve is taking a break from her busy WNBA season to head to Knoxville this weekend and be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. She's only the second WNBA coach to enter the Hall of Fame, joining former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, who was inducted in 2001. “(I appreciate) the magnitude of this recognition of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the great work that has gone into this institution,” Reeve said. “To walk around and see the history of how much has been done years before I could ever have this opportunity to coach. Grateful to the WNBA because I think there was some consideration given schedule wise.” Reeve will be joined by WNBA greats Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne in this year's class. Parker and Delle Donne also will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. Other inductees include ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke, Kirkwood Community College coach Kim Muhl, Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro, French great Isabelle Fijalkowski and Clemson's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon.
Read Next Story

Related News

Events like the World Cup can inspire young athletes and put parents on unfamiliar turf

Celtics guard Derrick White takes role as president of basketball strategy with alma mater, Colorado

Mike Boynton promoted to interim coach at Michigan as Dusty May leaves for the NBA, AP sources say