If the current pace holds, the UCLA basketball team will likely end up second in the Pac-12. The Bruins will likely earn a No. 6 or 7 seed in the NCAA tournament and — if they get hot — snag a couple of wins at the Big Dance.
Whether or not that happens depends on how UCLA finishes its final seven regular-season games.
“A lot of times, November wins get forgotten,” head coach Steve Alford said. “It’s what you do the month of February.”
The Bruins (19-5, 8-3) were undefeated in November, though none of their opponents ranked top-100 in RPI. Since then, an offense that still leads the Pac-12 has struggled to put together a full game, trailing at halftime in five league matchups.
Utah, which visits Pauley Pavilion at 2 p.m. Saturday, took advantage of such a lull last month. In their 74-69 upset of the Bruins last month, the Utes (17-7, 6-6) held UCLA to just 31 percent shooting in the first half, allowing three field goals in the final 11 minutes before the break.
Alford’s team fell from No. 25 in the AP poll, and hasn’t made it back since. Its resume is far from exceptional, with its lone win over a ranked team (Colorado) coming after it lost its best player (Spencer Dinwiddie) to a knee injury.
It can ill afford another trip-up, especially at home.
One main concern will be junior guard Delon Wright, a transfer who has become Utah’s most versatile player. The first time he played against the Bruins, he notched 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.
Wright’s offensive rating is the fifth-best in the conference. No other Ute ranks in the top 20 — though four Bruins do.
“He’s an outstanding player,” Alford said. “He can do a lot of things. He’s top five in the country in steals. he’s very difficult to play against because of his athleticism.”
If the current pace holds, the UCLA basketball team will likely end up second in the Pac-12. The Bruins will likely earn a No. 6 or 7 seed in the NCAA tournament and — if they get hot — snag a couple of wins at the Big Dance.
Whether or not that happens depends on how UCLA finishes its final seven regular-season games.
“A lot of times, November wins get forgotten,” head coach Steve Alford said. “It’s what you do the month of February.”
The Bruins (19-5, 8-3) were undefeated in November, though none of their opponents ranked top-100 in RPI. Since then, an offense that still leads the Pac-12 has struggled to put together a full game, trailing at halftime in five league matchups.
Utah, which visits Pauley Pavilion at 2 p.m. Saturday, took advantage of such a lull last month. In their 74-69 upset of the Bruins last month, the Utes (17-7, 6-6) held UCLA to just 31 percent shooting in the first half, allowing three field goals in the final 11 minutes before the break.
Alford’s team fell from No. 25 in the AP poll, and hasn’t made it back since. Its resume is far from exceptional, with its lone win over a ranked team (Colorado) coming after it lost its best player (Spencer Dinwiddie) to a knee injury.
It can ill afford another trip-up, especially at home.
One main concern will be junior guard Delon Wright, a transfer who has become Utah’s most versatile player. The first time he played against the Bruins, he notched 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.
Wright’s offensive rating is the fifth-best in the conference. No other Ute ranks in the top 20 — though four Bruins do.
“He’s an outstanding player,” Alford said. “He can do a lot of things. He’s top five in the country in steals. he’s very difficult to play against because of his athleticism.”
FRESHMAN WALL
After opening the season with double-digit scoring in nine of his first 10 games, UCLA freshman Zach LaVine has hit a wall. Arguably the team’s best pro prospect due to his athleticism and potential, the 6-foot-5 guard has made just six of his last 29 shots.
“He’s a freshman,” Alford said. “He’s going through growing pains, just like all freshmen do. I just want him playing hard. … He’s got to relax and do some of those other things.
“Get to the free-throw line. All of a sudden, jump shots aren’t going down, do something else. Rebound. Pass.”
After opening the season with double-digit scoring in nine of his first 10 games, UCLA freshman Zach LaVine has hit a wall. Arguably the team’s best pro prospect due to his athleticism and potential, the 6-foot-5 guard has made just six of his last 29 shots.
“He’s a freshman,” Alford said. “He’s going through growing pains, just like all freshmen do. I just want him playing hard. … He’s got to relax and do some of those other things.
“Get to the free-throw line. All of a sudden, jump shots aren’t going down, do something else. Rebound. Pass.”
NO WANAAH
Set back by an offseason knee injury as well as a year away from competitive basketball, Wanaah Bail has been nearly invisible to Pauley Pavilion crowds.
The 6-foot-9 freshman forward logged two minutes against Colorado on Thursday. It was his first appearance since Jan. 5, when the Bruins hosted USC in the Pac-12 opener. Despite being one of the team’s more athletic players, he has just six field goals and seven rebounds on the season.
Alford maintains that it’s not Bail’s fault. The team has simply gone toward a smaller lineup, one that has grown increasing comfortable as the weeks roll on.
“We’re kind of doing an eight-man rotation for the last four to six weeks,” Alford said. “That makes it a little harder. He got in yesterday and gave some good energy. Not the most glamorous role, but he’s young and learning.”
Set back by an offseason knee injury as well as a year away from competitive basketball, Wanaah Bail has been nearly invisible to Pauley Pavilion crowds.
The 6-foot-9 freshman forward logged two minutes against Colorado on Thursday. It was his first appearance since Jan. 5, when the Bruins hosted USC in the Pac-12 opener. Despite being one of the team’s more athletic players, he has just six field goals and seven rebounds on the season.
Alford maintains that it’s not Bail’s fault. The team has simply gone toward a smaller lineup, one that has grown increasing comfortable as the weeks roll on.
“We’re kind of doing an eight-man rotation for the last four to six weeks,” Alford said. “That makes it a little harder. He got in yesterday and gave some good energy. Not the most glamorous role, but he’s young and learning.”
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