Game of the Week: UCLA vs Michigan

We’ve got an incredible top 10 matchup between two of the best teams in the country this weekend. No. 2 UCLA will take on No. 8 Michigan at 2 p.m. CST on FOX. Let’s take a look at both teams and predict the winner:

UCLA

Starting with the No. 2 team in the country, this team has only lost one game against the Texas Longhorns back in November. However, here are just some teams that UCLA has beaten:

• No. 6 Oklahoma

• No. 11 North Carolina

• No. 14 Tennessee

• No. 19 Ohio State

• No. 17 USC

• No. 25 Nebraska

• No. 12 Maryland

• No. 8 Iowa

I mean, it doesn’t get more dominate than that, but that No. 8 Iowa win is probably the best place to preview the players who will be key to watch for this game against the now No. 8 Michigan.

The game against Iowa was a strong showing from the UCLA bench with graduate forward Angela Dugalic scoring 22 points, hitting 3/4 from the three-point line. Nearly all of the starting squad scored double digit points led by senior guard Kiki Rice and senior center Lauren Betts. Rice scored 17 points and had seven assists while Lauren Betts scored 16 points.

One of the keys is that UCLA won the rebound game, out rebounding Iowa 32-24. Freshman forward Sienna Betts was one of the main reasons, securing seven rebounds alongside graduate guard Charlisse Leger-Walker who had five. One of the weaknesses, however, was that UCLA got into a bit of foul trouble, which could be one of the ways that Michigan pulls off an upset. Looking at the defense, one of the things that stands out is how UCLA kept Iowa from basically scoring any three-point shots (besides winning rebounds.) They also created more turnovers, totaling 19 for the Hawkeyes.

Players to watch: Angela Dugalic, Kiki Rice, and Lauren Betts

Michigan

The Wolverines have only lost three games so far this season. Those teams were: No. 1 UConn, Washington, and No. 5 Vanderbilt.

However, Michigan also has a string of impressive wins:

• No. 18 Notre Dame

• No. 25 Illinois

• No. 13 Michigan State

When looking at this upcoming matchup, it is probably best to look at the Michigan State win. It was a close shave with the Wolverines winning 94-91 in OT. The team was led by sophomore guard Mila Holloway, who scored 26 points, had six rebounds, and five assists. Sophomore guard Olivia Olson followed closely behind with 23 points and six rebounds. The rebound leader was junior forward Ashley Sofilkanich who had eight. Off the bench, sophomore guard Kendall Dudley had seven rebounds.

One of the potential weaknesses for Michigan is that they shot a lot of threes that did not make it, hitting 9-22 with 41%. Michigan also had more fouls than the Spartans in the game and Holloway and Olson both actually fouled out. Regardless of overtime, the two players that score the most fouling out could be problematic in a close game against UCLA.

Players to watch: Mila Holloway, Olivia Olson, and Ashley Sofilkanich

Prediction: With all that said, my prediction is that UCLA will win this contest. They are simply too dominate to be stopped. The lack of ranked wins for Michigan just makes me think they have not had a super strong strength-of-schedule to make me confident they can win against a UCLA team that has won against so many tough opponents.

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