How UCLA and Florida match up in NCAA tournament third-round game
A look at UCLA’s third-round NCAA tournament game against Florida on Saturday:
Florida; Ht; Wt ;Stats; P; UCLA; Ht; Wt; Stats
Vernon Macklin; 6-10; 240; 11.3 ppg; C; Joshua Smith; 6-10; 305; 6.3 rpg
Alex Tyus; 6-8; 220; 5.5 rpg; F; Reeves Nelson; 6-8; 235; 13.9 ppg
Chandler Parsons; 6-9; 215; 7.8 rpg; F; Tyler Honeycutt; 6-8; 188; 12.8 ppg
Kenny Boynton; 6-2; 183; 14.1 ppg; G; Malcolm Lee; 6-5 ; 200; 13.1 ppg
Erving Walker; 5-8; 171; 14.5 ppg; G; Lazeric Jones; 6-0; 187 ; 3.6 apg
RESERVES
Patric Young; 6-9; 245; 3.8 rpg ;C; Anthony Stover; 6-10; 235; 1.5 rpg
Scottie Wilbekin; 6-2; 175; 2.6 ppg; G; Jerime Anderson; 6-2; 183; 5.3 ppg
Erik Murphy; 6-10; 229; 4.4 ppg; F; Brendan Lane; 6-9; 223; 3.2 rpg
SCOUTING REPORT: Smith is expected to remain in the starting lineup for UCLA, though he will play with bursitis in his right elbow after hitting it on the floor against Michigan State. Lee received three staples in his head late Thursday night to close a cut from a stray elbow. Bruins Coach Ben Howland said he expected to see both man-to-man and zone defenses from Florida, which is holding opponents to an average of 62.6 points per game. UCLA has to like its chances if it can take a 10-point lead because the Bruins are 21-0 this season when they go up by double digits at any point in a game.
KEY TO THE GAME: Lee and Jones must contain the backcourt tandem of Walker and Boynton, who are averaging a combined 28.6 points per game. Lee said he would spend part of the game defending the considerably taller Parsons, a small forward with guard skills.
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