UCLA vs. Louisiana Lafayette Prediction, Game Preview

The UCLA Bruins will be back home in Los Angeles, Calif. to host the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns in the Pauley Pavilion. Below is the UCLA vs. Louisiana-Lafayette prediction and game preview.

UCLA vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Game Preview

Game Broadcast

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 15
Game Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, Calif.
Network: Pac-12

Why You Need To Care

No. 22 UCLA (7-3) is on a roll. Despite losing back-to-back games to Kansas and Wake Forest, the Bruins have won their last four games since then — including two big victories against Kentucky and Gonzaga.

The win in Spokane, Wash. against the Zags wasn’t as big as beating the Wildcats, but it was impressive that head coach Steve Alford led his team onto the Bulldogs’ home floor and stole a W.

Now they’ll welcome the Ragin’ Cajuns (3-4), who haven’t been able to piece together consecutive wins so far this season.

 Louisiana-Lafayette is coming off a road loss to Louisiana Tech, 91-79, on Saturday. It certainly won’t get any easier for head coach Bob Marlin’s Ragin’ Cajuns on Tuesday night.

Why UCLA Will Win

The Bruins got a lot of production from Isaac Hamilton in the win against Gonzaga, as the junior guard went off for 20 points. Hamilton will get some help from the team’s leading scorer, Bryce Alford, and the Bruins will go after the Ragin’ Cajuns, who allow 80.6 points per game. Thomas Welsh should have his way in the paint during this one. Louisiana Lafayette has no one who can body up the sophomore 7-footer. He’ll block a couple shots and control the glass for the Bruins.

Why Louisiana-Lafayette Will Win

The Ragin’ Cajuns need production inside and outside. Shawn Long is 5-of-21 from three this season. He doesn’t need to just start hoisting up triples, but he does need to knock down the open looks he does get while still producing down low. ULL also needs to win the rebounding battle. UCLA crashes the boards — hard. The Bruins are ranked No. 31 in the nation with 415 total rebounds already. If the Ragin’ Cajuns don’t come up with some second-chance looks, they’ll fall behind quickly.

What’s Going To Happen?

UCLA has been playing a good brand of basketball lately. Bryce Alford hasn’t had to carry the offensive load, and as long as Hamilton shows up like he did against the Zags, the Bruins will win this game. Welsh will take up a lot of space in the middle of the paint and lock down the boards. Long will hit double figures, but he won’t get much help from the rest of his team. Kasey Shepherd and Jay Wright will sink some threes, but the Bruins are going to torch Louisiana-Lafayette for 80-plus points.