After a two-game winning streak against mid-major teams, the Texas Longhorns travel to LA to play another high-major team, the UCLA Bruins.
An extremely young Texas team, which starts three true freshman, lost two consecutive last-minute heart-breakers to N.C. State and Oregon State and is still looking for a signature non-conference victory.
UCLA, meanwhile, has struggled through one of the worst six-game stretches in program history, dropping games to Loyola Marymount and Middle Tennessee State amid growing whispers about head coach Ben Howland's job security.
The Longhorns are led by junior J'Covan Brown, the only returning contributor from last season's team. Brown, a 6'1 200 junior guard, averages 20.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists on 44.7% shooting.
Brown is one of only three non-freshman in coach Rick Barnes' rotation, as Texas has had to depend on a highly-touted class headlined by freshman PG Myck Kabongo.
And while the Bruins have been struggling, their huge front-line, head-lined by the 6'10 305 Joshua Smith, will pose a challenge for an undersized Texas front-court on Saturday.
The game will be televised regionally on Fox Sports Net at 3:30 PM.
For the latest news and notes on the Longhorns, check out Burnt Orange Nation, and for more on UCLA, head on over to Bruins Nation.