Cal vs. UCLA

Wednesday, Feb. 13 | 7 PM PT | Haas Pavilion | Berkeley, Calif.
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California men's basketball returns to Berkeley. with a chance to continue building momentum this week when the Golden Bears host the Bruins Wednesday in Haas Pavilion. Cal and UCLA tip off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, live on Pac-12 Networks.

Over their last three hard-fought outings, the Bears continue to show small signs of improvement, cutting opponents' scoring margin down to -7.3 in that span. Prior to the start of February play, Cal was falling to its Pac-12 foes by a -16.1 average. This month, two three contests have featured Bear losses of 8 points or fewer, while Cal had only two losses of 9 points or fewer between in eight games in January (USC and Colorado). 

The three-game span has seen five players average 9.7 points or more, led by Justice Sueing's 18.7 points per game. Connor Vanover is averaging 14.0 points and 4.0 rebounds, and Paris Austin is averaging 11.0 ppg. Darius McNeill and Matt Bradley are each averaging 9.7 ppg.

The Bears are seeking their first Pac-12 win since a Feb. 3, 2018 victory over Oregon State (74-70) in Haas Pavilion. Meanwhile, the Bruins travel to Berkeley on a three-game losing skid and are now 12-12 overall, and 5-6 in conference play.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION: Ted Robinson and Don MacLean will be bringing fans play-by-play and analysis on Pac-12 Networks, also available online at www.Pac-12.com/live and on the Pac-12 Now app. Todd McKim and Rich Cellini will have the action for the  California Golden Bears Sports Network on KGO 810 AM and via TuneIn. Live stats, broadcast info and more can be accessed via the Cal men's basketball schedule page. Fans can follow the Bears on social media via @CalMBball on Twitter and Instagram, and at Facebook.com/CalMBball.
 

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BY THE NUMBERS

14.0 -- Connor Vanover is averaging 14.0 points per game in the last three outings. He produced a career-best 15 points in two of those three games.

7 -- Juhwan Harris-Dyson had 7 points, 3 steals and 3 rebounds in Cal's loss at Oregon State. Harris-Dyson's 7 points were his most in Pac-12 play, as well as his most since the Fresno State game on Dec. 19, 2018.

5 -- As a team, Cal has logged double-figure steal totals in five games this season. The Bears had 12 steals at Oregon State and are averaging 10.0 steals per game in the last three games.

9 -- Justice Sueing scored 14 of his 16 points at Oregon State in the second half. The sophomore leader has scored in double figures in nine Pac-12 games.

-7.3 -- Cal's scoring margin against Pac-12 opponents over the last three games is at -7.3. In the eight games prior to the stretch, the Bears were being outscored by a -16.1 margin. 
 

SCOUTING THE BRUINS

• Series Record: UCLA leads, 140-103
• Last Meeting: In the opening weekend of Pac-12 play, UCLA defeated Cal 98-83 on Jan. 5. Darius McNeill had a game-high 23 points and was one of four Bears to score in double figures. Justice Sueing (18), Matt Bradley (15) and Connor Vanover (10) also helped the cause.
• UCLA's 2018-19 Record: 12-12, 5-6 Pac-12
• UCLA's Last Game: Utah hit a buzzer beater to edge UCLA, 93-92, on Saturday, Feb. 9. Jaylen Hands was one of five Bruins in double figures in the losing effort, scoring a game-best 27 points.
• Four Bruins have double-digit scoring averages in league play, led by Kris Wilkes' 17.3 points per game. Jaylen Hands (13.5), Prince Ali (11.3) and Moses Brown (10.3) are also averaging double figures.
• Hands ranks Top 11 nationally in assists per game (11th, 6.5) and total assists (11th, 155). He leads the conference in both those categories.
• Brown has 7 double-doubles this season, and ranks eighth nationally in offensive rebounds per game (3.67).
• Brown's 49 blocks place him at 36th nationally and third in the Pac-12.
• UCLA continues to pace the Pac-12 in rebounding, including total rebounds (989, 12th nationally), and defensive rebounds per game (29.75, 9th nationally).
• The Bruins have dropped three straight since and are winless in February, falling at Washington (69-55) and at home against Colorado (84-73) and Utah.

SERIES NOTES
Record at Cal: 45-61
Last 10 meetings: 3-7
Most points, Cal: 104, 1992-93
Most points, UCLA: 115, 1967-68
Largest margin, Cal: 33, 1922-23
Largest margin, UCLA: 44, 1967-68
Longest Cal win streak: 16, 1929-30 to 1933-34
Longest UCLA win streak: 52, 1960-61 to 1985-86
Current Streak: 4, UCLA

RECORDS AGAINST UCLA
Points: Points: 36, Bob McKeen, Feb. 19, 1955
36, Mark McNamara, Feb. 19, 1982
36, Lamond Murray, Feb. 24, 1994
Rebounds: 21, Darrall Imhoff, Feb. 13, 1960
21, Camden Wall, March 2, 1964
FG: 15, Bob McKeen, Feb. 19, 1955
3P: 6, Ryan Forehan-Kelly, March 7, 2002
FT: 15, Lamond Murray, Feb. 24, 1994
 

LAST TIME OUT

• The Result: Cal dropped a close contest at Oregon State, 79-71, in the waning minutes of action.
• Three Bears scored in double figures, led by 16 points apiece from sophomore tandem Justice Sueing and Darius McNeill. McNeill scored all 16 in the first half, while Sueing scored 14 of his 16 in the second half.
• For the second time in three games, Connor Vanover poured in a career-high 15 points.
• Vanover also blocked a career-best 4 shots.
• Juhwan Harris-Dyson scored 7 points alongside 3 steals and 3 rebounds.
• Matt Bradley added 3 steals, and the Bears combined for 12 total steals -- their fifth game this season with double-figure steal totals.
 

RANKING ROUNDUP

As a team, Cal ranks Top 50 nationally in:
• Fewest Turnovers: 22nd, 259
• Free Throw Percentage: 40th, 74.8
• Turnovers Per Game: 34th, 11.3

Individually, Cal players rank in the Top 100 nationally in:
• Assists Per Game: Paris Austin (94th, 4.6)
• Free Throw Attempts: Justice Sueing (98th, 133)
• Free Throws Made: Justice Sueing (61st, 111)
• Free Throw Percentage: Justice Sueing (88th, 83.5)
 

NEXT UP

The Bears wrap up their regular-season series with the USC Trojans on USC on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. The game airs live on the Pac-12 Networks.