Lengthy wingspans on UCLA men’s basketball team aid zone defense

UCLA men’s basketball’s biggest difference this season is just that: the difference in its bigs. With their four most-played frontcourt players – freshman forward Kevon Looney, sophomore forward Wanaah Bail, junior forward/center Tony Parker and freshman center Thomas Welsh – possessing wingspans of 6 feet 11 inches or larger, the Bruins’ length is its most […]

UCLA football puts focus ahead of rivalry with USC

Speaking in front of a large scrum of reporters and cameras Monday morning, the six UCLA players chose their words carefully. Junior wide receiver Jordan Payton would not refer to Saturday’s adversary by name, instead calling them “our opponent.” Junior cornerback Ishmael Adams downplayed the significance of the upcoming game, responding to a question about […]

Men’s basketball’s 113-78 win quiets preseason skeptics

Three and a half minutes was all it took. The preseason’s doubts, concerns and emphasis on what UCLA men’s basketball may have lost in the offseason lingered in Pauley Pavilion for the opening moments of UCLA’s season opener against Montana State. With the Bruins trailing 8-5 and their lack of guard depth put on full […]

Guard Bryce Alford ready to face pressures of 2014 basketball season

Bryce Alford was alone in the left corner, raising his hands frantically. Trailing Oregon 65-60 in the final minute of a late-season game last year, UCLA needed a miracle to pull off the win, with its stars guard/forward Kyle Anderson and guard Jordan Adams relegated to black jumpsuits on the bench as they served one-game […]

UCLA signs four-star recruits Aaron Holiday and Prince Ali

UCLA men’s basketball may harbor some concerns over its lack of guard depth this season, but that shouldn’t be an issue next year. Four-star 2015 guards Aaron Holiday and Prince Ali made their commitment to UCLA official, signing national letters of intent Wednesday night, UCLA announced. Holiday, the brother of former UCLA women’s basketball guard […]

Men’s basketball works on rebuilding starting rotation

It may be tough to recognize the UCLA men’s basketball team that won last season’s Pac-12 tournament title when the Bruins take the floor at Pauley Pavilion Friday for their season opener against Montana State. Not too many familiar faces will be there, as five of the Bruins’ eight rotations players from a year ago […]

Improved pass protection allows Hundley to rise

Redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley had all the time in the world. He paused briefly, stepped up in the pocket, then hurled a pass deep downfield into the outstretched arms of redshirt sophomore wide receiver Kenny Walker for a touchdown. Despite facing the nation’s third-most dangerous pass rush in Washington, Hundley’s abundance of time in […]