Oakland seeks upset of No. 24 UCLA

Nov 12, 2013 - 3:58 PM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The Oakland Golden Grizzlies continue an extended seven-game slate away from home to start the 2013-14 season, as they invade Pauley Pavilion on Tuesday night for non-conference action against the 24th-ranked UCLA Bruins.

UCLA opened its 95th season of basketball this past weekend with a 72-67 victory over Drexel at home. The win kicked off the Steve Alford era, following Alford's highly successful stint at New Mexico. This contest will mark the 700th career game for Alford as a collegiate head coach (464-235).

Greg Kampe's 30th season on the bench for the Golden Grizzlies is bound to be eventful, especially with Oakland's move to the Horizon League. However, the team begins with a gauntlet of teams on the road, including three ranked opponents in the first four games. In its season opener this past weekend, Oakland was no match for North Carolina in Chapel Hill, falling to the Tar Heels, 84-61.

This marks just the second time these two teams have met on the hardwood. UCLA won the only other encounter, a 74-53 decision at Pauley Pavilion in 2006.

The Golden Grizzlies were outplayed in just about every facet of the game against North Carolina, as they shot a mere .364 from the floor compared to a cool 60 percent for UNC. In addition, Oakland was outrebounded 41-22 overall. The game was really decided in the first half, as Oakland trailed 58-21 at the break, before closing the gap somewhat in the second half. Star guard Travis Bader got his 2013-14 season off to a solid start, leading the team with 18 points in the setback. Fellow guard Duke Mondy held his own as well, tallying 14 points, six rebounds and six assists. However, scoring depth was scarce, with the rest of the starting five accounting for just 18 points, while the reserves added a mere 11 points.

The Bruins aren't at full strength yet, with forward Travis Wear sidelined following an appendectomy in late October, but Alford's squad looked solid in the season opener nonetheless, shooting an effective 46.0 percent from the floor overall. Four Bruins finished in double figures in a balanced attack, led by Jordan Adams' 16 points. David Wear finished with 14 points, as did Zach LaVine off the bench, while star forward Kyle Anderson recorded a double- double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. He also added seven assists and two blocked shots for an impressive stat line all the way around. Anderson and Adams are the players that garnered national attention coming into the season, but if freshmen like LaVine can provide some punch off the bench, UCLA will be awfully tough to beat.