UCLA men’s basketball has carved an identity with its offense early in the season.
Heading into Saturday’s matchup at Missouri, UCLA averaged 90.6 points per game, shot 55.3 percent and scored more than 80 points in all but one of its eight games.
But playing on the road against an undefeated Missouri team, UCLA was tested in more ways than one. After an early schedule that featured few challenging opponents, No. 18 UCLA (8-1) faced its first true challenge on Saturday and came up short, as its usually strong offense struggled during its 80-71 loss.
The Bruins shot just 37.7 percent in the game, struggling for the first time all year in their first loss. Sophomore guard Jordan Adams again led the team in scoring, but wasn’t his usual efficient self, taking 18 shots to get 22 points.
The ineffectiveness of Adams and his fellow back court players was trumped by the poor plays of the front court. Sophomore forward/center Tony Parker and redshirt senior forwards Travis and David Wear combined for seven points on 2-10 shooting.
The trio also had only seven combined rebounds in the game.
UCLA’s poor rebounding was paired with a strong rebounding game by Missouri (9-0), who out-rebounded UCLA 47-30. UCLA’s struggle on the boards became an issue for the Bruins in the second half in particular, as they were unable to secure the ball after the Tigers missed shots, allowing the home team to grab offensive rebounds and score on second chance opportunities.
As the Bruins’ offensive and rebounding play deteriorated in the second half, they watched their 43-35 halftime advantage become a 51-51 tie, then turn into an eventual 80-71 defeat.
The Bruins’ performance wasn’t completely negative however. Freshman guard Zach LaVine provided one of the few strong performances, scoring 13 points on 50 percent shooting and unleashing a highlight-worthy windmill dunk on a breakaway in the first half. LaVine’s shooting percentage was reduced by several off-balance three-point attempts he launched in the final minutes as the Bruins attempted to make a comeback.
UCLA will look to rebound from its loss on Saturday, Dec. 14 as it returns to Pauley Pavilion to face Prairie View A&M.
Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.
An open letter to the coaches and players of the 2013-14 UCLA Men’s Basketball Bruins:
Congratulations on recruiting! All I have heard is good news.
The Missouri game is now in the past, yet I see no reports about Zack LaVine’s hurting his hand on a dunk, after which he missed his threes. And I see no mention of Jordan Adams’ fatigue or illness? How does Jordan fail to be effective on multiple in the paint opportunities, including no fouls called on Missouri. As a team leader on inside moves and scores, once he failed, did that effect others on the team by their not attempting penetrations? And why didn’t the team focus on more steals in the second half. Was it a let down on defense due to failed offensive efforts? If so, coaching shall certainly prevent this from ever happening again with this relatively young team. If the Bruins often have balanced scoring, what we need now is BALANCED REBOUNDING. And the turnover assist ration must exceed their opponents’ to compensate for poor rebounding or to add strength to good rebounding.
I love the full court pressing defense I’ve seen the Bruins employ this year, and we all know from UCLA basketball history that presses are not for occasional steals. Pressing defenses make opponents use energy to advance the ball… energy they need in the last 8 and 4 minutes of the game that they just won’t have. And UCLA as the superior conditioned team and the pressing training they will have, will see many successes.
In addition to focusing on playing the best next 4 minutes of every game. Who can avoid speculating on next year’s 2 basketball championships. Both the UCLA and UCLA Women will be adding UCLA’s nation leading total of national championships. Don’t ya think?
Care, joy, and wellness,
Ed
DrECSchumacher@gmail.com