I hate reality checks.
Last week, a buddy of mine and I got into a lengthy argument
over whether UCLA would stop at the Sweet 16 or make it to the
Elite Eight .
Sure, it was sort of ridiculous considering this squad is a long
way from securing an NCAA Tournament bid, let alone an
opening-round win followed by upsetting a heavily favored team.
However, after four straight impressive conference wins followed
by an equally impressive loss to No. 13 Arizona, the UCLA community
could treat itself to a road trip out of reality.
Stanford didn’t necessarily crush those dreams, but the
Cardinal’s victory Thursday night did bring some perspective
back to Westwood.
UCLA is a young team. It just as easily could drop a game to an
inferior opponent (Stanford) as defeat a superior one
(Washington).
This was not the Stanford team that had vanquished the Bruins
for seven straight seasons at Pauley either. This was an unathletic
crew of heady veterans who schooled the Bruins in college
basketball’s nuances.
In fact, this is precisely the type of team that gives UCLA
fits. The Cardinal relied on its seasoned upperclassmen to head
fake, pass, and cut to the basket against an overzealous Bruin
defense.
UCLA did plenty, though, to shoot itself in the foot.
On the one hand, the Bruins lost because of something that
happens occasionally for no particular reason ““ their jump
shots weren’t falling. They were plenty of open looks, but
against all odds, not one Bruin could hit them.
On the other hand, turnovers are certainly something UCLA can
control, but Thursday they apparently lost all of that.
Many of these turnovers were not forced by the Cardinal either
(unless Stanford used telekinesis to move the Bruins’ feet
into traveling violations, in which case there are greater issues
to address than basketball).
Seriously, though, unforced turnovers are not good, which is all
the analysis I have because how can you break down why college
basketball players should look before passing?
The Bruins simply played badly.
Could it have been a letdown game after Arizona’s
nationally televised excitement?
I guess.
To me, though, abstract reasons like those are sportswriter
fodder for over-analyzing the way the world works.
It wasn’t UCLA’s day, and the best thing to do is
forget it.
That’s why it’s a benefit to have an active
imagination.
Peters is a basketball columnist for the 2004-2005 season.
E-mail him at bpeters@media.ucla.edu