With the college basketball season beginning on Friday, Daily Bruin Sports takes a look at UCLA’s competition in the Pac-12 conference, and where the Bruins are likely to finish in the standings. 1. Arizona (33-5, 15-3) Key Departures: G Nick Johnson, F Aaron Gordon Key Returners: G T.J. McConnell, F Brandon Ashley, F Rondae Hollis-Jefferson […]
Category Archives: Men’s Basketball
Inexperienced UCLA men’s basketball squad fine-tunes identity
UCLA is a team that is, admittedly, under construction. It’s a team filled with new faces, without an identity. Still, men’s basketball coach Steve Alford is hesitant to use that dreaded “R-word.” “I hope it’s not ‘rebuilding’ – I hope that foundation was laid (last year),” Alford said. “And as new pieces get into it, […]
Quietness on defense persists in men’s basketball’s exhibition game
In its exhibition game Friday, UCLA men’s basketball held Azusa Pacific to 53 points on 24 percent shooting with eight steals in its 80-53 win. Coach Steve Alford’s assessment of his team’s performance? The defense needs some work. “I can’t single one (player) out that I’m happy with (defensively) yet,” Alford said. After holding the […]
Men’s basketball freshman Kevon Looney displays flexibility on court
The UCLA men’s basketball team held its first open practice Wednesday at Pauley Pavilion since the flood in late July severely damaged the arena, leading to a number of renovations, including a brand new court. A new weight room, training room and nutrition room were installed, along with, for now at least, a gleaming, unblemished […]
UCLA men’s basketball predicted to finish fourth in Pac-12 at media day
UCLA men’s basketball is playing a tightrope game this preseason, looking to maintain last season’s success but forced to make drastic changes. Its main identity from a year ago is gone, as are many of the players. Sitting at a podium in front of a room full of reporters at Thursday’s Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Media […]
Sights and Sounds: Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Media Day
Media from all over the nation traveled to San Francisco on Thursday to participate in the annual Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Media Day. One coach and one player from each of the twelve teams in the conference were present to answer questions and talk about the upcoming season. UCLA coach Steve Alford and senior guard Norman […]
Men’s basketball looks to reconfigure team as season approaches
UCLA is well aware of who it doesn’t have. Twenty days out from men’s basketball’s opening game against Montana State on Nov. 14, the Bruins are focused on figuring out who they do have. Of eight rotational players from last year, the five that either graduated or got drafted played an average of more than […]