by Micah Hart
For the complete Bragging Rights rules and to vote for other matchups, click here. We continue the Sweet 16 in the West region, where two towers of college basketball power square off for a chance to move on to the Elite Eight.
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UCLA Bruins
Starters (all stats per 48 minutes):
Russell Westbrook, Thunder: 30.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 11.5 assists, 0.5 blocks, 2.4 steals
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Bucks: 11.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 blocks, 1.8 steals
Kevin Love, Timberwolves: 27.2 points, 20.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.5 blocks, 0.8 steals
Baron Davis, Cavaliers: 21.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 11.1 assists, 0.8 blocks, 2.4 steals
Jrue Holiday, Sixers: 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 0.5 blocks, 2.1 steals
Missed the cut: Matt Barnes, Lakers; Darren Collison, Pacers; Jordan Farmar, Nets; Dan Gadzuric, Nets; Ryan Hollins, Cavaliers; Jason Kapono, Sixers; Trevor Ariza, Hornets; Earl Watson, Jazz; Arron Afflalo, Nuggets
Team synopsis: As the school with the most current players in the NBA, the UCLA Bruins will be a tough out. Several different players could make the starting lineup, but I went with Mbah a Moute’s all-around contributions over those of rising studs like Collison and Afflalo. When Davis is nearly left out of the starting five, you know you’ve got some firepower to work with. Love’s per-48 rebounding stats are absurd, and Westbrook’s scoring is only a few ppg behind his scoring-champion teammate, Kevin Durant.
Kansas Jayhawks
Starters (all stats per 48 minutes):
Nick Collison, Thunder: 10.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 blocks, 1.3 steals
Paul Pierce, Celtics: 25.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 0.9 blocks, 1.4 steals
Darrell Arthur, Grizzlies: 22.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.5 steals
Kirk Hinrich, Hawks: 17.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 0.3 blocks, 1.8 steals
Mario Chalmers, Heat: 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.2 blocks, 2.4 steals
Missed the cut: Cole Aldrich, Thunder; Drew Gooden, Bucks (injured); Xavier Henry, Grizzlies; Darnell Jackson, Kings; Brandon Rush, Pacers; Julian Wright, Raptors
Team synopsis: For such college basketball royalty, the Jayhawks lack a lot of NBA star power. Pierce is really the only All-Star in the lineup, and Hinrich perhaps the only other legit starter (Chalmers has started a lot for Miami, but I doubt he’d start for most teams). On the plus side, Arthur’s per-48 numbers show serious production. Perhaps a permanent starting gig awaits him someday as well.
All Ball’s take: Kansas looks to be overmatched. The Jayhawks may have a chance to win a national title in this year’s NCAA tournament, but the Bruins seem likely to end their Bragging Rights quest in the Sweet 16.
Results: Not a happy weekend for Kansas fans, as UCLA takes this one in a rout, 85%-15%.
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