Rams Travel to UCLA in Hoops Matchup

The Colorado State Rams(8-3) look to get a big road win over the UCLA Bruins(3-7).  The Rams have won their last four games and seven of their last eight.  UCLA has been struggling winning only one of their last seven.  Colorado State sits just one win away from their total of nine last season. 

There is around 150 team difference in the RPI rankings for the teams.  The Bruins are a tough team to figure out as they returned ten players from the #18 ranked team last year but only have 3 unimpressive victories.  They almost beat Butler and were with #1 Kansas but got blown out by Portland and Mississippi State.  Las Vegas is giving the Rams 10 points on the spread but prediction machines have the Rams winning by a slight margin.  Catch more after the jump...

Colorado State basketball and really any team from CSU hasn't traveled well to big name programs as of late.  This looks to be their chance as UCLA is struggling and they are playing their best basketball in years.  It will all depend on if the Rams can match up against the still athletic Bruins and play tough on the road.  CSU has held their opponents to just 39.4% shooting from the field and that will play a big part in their chances.  If I were Tim Miles I would let Greg Smith and Travis Franklin get quality minutes to match the size and athleticism of UCLA.

On the Bruins side they will need to watch their fouls and contain Travis Franklin who has been the Rams threat of late.  UCLA can create turnovers which has been a problem for Tim Miles squad so that will be another key to watch for both teams.  The Bruins scoring threats are Malcom Lee and Michael Roll scoring 15 and 14.5 respectively.