The set-up: The Baoshan Sports Center in Shanghai, China is host to a game between the UCLA Bruins (No. 21 in teh AP's preseason poll) of the Pac-12 and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from the ACC. UCLA went 31-5 last season and Ga. Tech just 21-16, but the Yellow Jackets made it all the way to the NIT champiosnhip game last season, before losing. This contest was one of a handful of marquee matchups on CBB's opening night but off-the-court issues have dominated the storyline. Just who isn't aware that three UCLA players, freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill, will not play following arrests in an alleged shoplifting incident Tuesday in Hangzhou. However, earlier that same day, CBS Sports published allegations a friend made against Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner, accusing Pastner of knowing about exchanges of impermissible benefits. Georgia Tech previously self-reported violations involving Josh Okogie and Tadric Jackson to the NCAA, with the caveat being that Pastner was unaware until Oct. 2, and the violations totaled less than $1,300.

Georgia Tech: Neither sophomore Okogie (16.1 & 5.4) nor Jackson (12.2) will play in this one. Head coach Josh Pastner had his top-three scorers back from last year but now he's down to the 6-10,Ben Lammers (14.2 & 9.2). Both Okogie and Jackson are guards. On top of that, Ga. Tech lost Josh Heath and Quinton Stephens to graduation. Stephens started all 37 games for the Yellow Jackets last season, logging 10.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while Heath led the team in assists last year at 4.4 per game.

UCLA: The Bruins knew they were set to tip off 2017-18 season without stars Lonzo Ball and T.J. Leaf, who both are in the NBA. UCLA also lost a prolific scoring guard in Isaac Hamilton (14.1 PPG) and a talented reserve center in Ike Anigbogu. Now, the arrests of the payers named above, leaves the roster fairly well depleted. UCLA will rely on another highly coveted freshman PG in Jaylen Hands to replace Lonzo Ball. The Bruins did retain the services of guard Aaron Holiday (12.3 & 4.4 APG) plus the 7-0 Thomas Welsh (10.8 & 8.7). 6-8 freshman forward Kris Wilkes is also noteworthy plus the returning 6-3 Prince Ali, is more than capable of "stepping up."

The pick: Just maybe, Alford's roster is not as depleted as reported. The Bottom line is, I believe the loss of Okogie and Jackson hurts Georgia Tech way more than the Bruins' loss of their "Shoplifting 3!" Make UCLA a 10* play.