GAME NOTES: Looking to put a stop to a two-game losing streak, the UCLA Bruins will hit the road to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in a non-conference tilt at Coleman Coliseum.

UCLA enters the fray with an 8-4 record on the season, having yet to play a road game (although the Bruins are just 1-3 at neutral site locations). UCLA has dropped back-to-back contests for the second time this season, most recently to Gonzaga (87-74) and Kentucky (83-44).

Alabama entertains UCLA and sports an 8-3 record on the year, having won consecutive games against Stillman (69-49) and Appalachian State (60-59). Although the Crimson Tide narrowly escaped their last outing, they still boast a 7-0 record at home.

This meeting will be the fifth all-time between UCLA and Alabama. The Bruins currently hold a 3-1 advantage in the series over the Crimson Tide.

The Bruins were demoralized in their last outing against the nation's top- ranked team in Kentucky. UCLA shot a mere 26.8 percent from the floor in the near 40-point loss, while the Wildcats made an even 50 percent of their shots. Isaac Hamilton led the way for the Bruins in terms of scoring, netting 14 points in the one-sided loss, while Bryce Alford connected for 13 points. UCLA went just 1-of-4 from the free-throw line in the defeat, and turned the ball over 15 times.

The Bruins typically have a potent offense, which averages 77.8 ppg even after the disastrous 44-point effort against Kentucky. Five UCLA players are averaging a scoring total in double figures entering the clash with Alabama, led by Alford's 17.6 ppg. Norman Powell (16.1 ppg), Kevon Looney (13.5 ppg), Hamilton (11.8 ppg) and Tony Parker (10.1 ppg) round out the large group of UCLA scorers in double figures, while Looney adds in a team-best 10.8 rpg mark. But the UCLA defense hasn't been entirely consistent, allowing opponents to net 72.0 ppg this season.

Appalachian State held a two-point lead over Alabama going into halftime, but the Tide made sure to erase that deficit in the second period for the one- point win. Michael Kessens led the way for Alabama by recording a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Levi Randolph added in 14 points with five assists. Ricky Tarrant chipped in 11 points for the Crimson Tide, although he went 0-of-4 from 3-point range.

Randolph has led the way for Alabama in terms of scoring this season, netting 16.5 ppg with 34 assists. Tarrant contributes 12.5 ppg, and Rodney Cooper adds in 11.6 ppg to round out a trio of double-digit scorers for the Tide. Alabama's offense has proven to be lethal at times, as the team comes into the clash against UCLA netting 73.2 ppg on 45.2 percent shooting from the floor.

This will be a very tight clash between two strong eight-win teams, although UCLA certainly is trending in the opposite direction of the Crimson Tide. The Bruins might get a bit of a shock playing on the road for the first time in 2014-15, but a strong offensive core should serve the Bruins well.