Men’s basketball finds success with defense early in postseason

UCLA wasn’t supposed to win games like this. All year long, the Bruins (29-3, 15-3 Pac-12) have won games because of their offense, not despite it. On Thursday night against USC, though, it was the defense that allowed UCLA to escape with a 76-74 victory in the quarterfinal of the Pac-12 tournament, holding the Trojans […]

UCLA men’s basketball tops USC 76-74 in Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal

This post was updated March 9 at 11:32 p.m. LAS VEGAS — One down, two to go. UCLA jumped out the gates quickly, stifled two USC comeback attempts and led the entire way in a 76-74 win in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 tournament. “The second half was a grind, neither team shot it that […]

UCLA leads USC 38-35 at halftime in Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — UCLA controlled the action for much of the opening period, but a late-half push from USC trimmed the UCLA lead to 38-35 entering halftime of the rivals’ Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal matchup Thursday night. The Bruins led by 14 points with five minutes to go after senior guard Bryce Alford drilled his […]

Pac-12 tournament to impact UCLA men’s basketball NCAA Tournament seed

No, UCLA does not need to win this weekend’s Pac-12 tournament to reach the NCAA Tournament. The No. 3 Bruins (28-3, 15-3 Pac-12) have already done more than enough to secure a ticket to the Big Dance, but their performance in the conference tourney could play a significant role in determining how deep into March […]

Men’s basketball ends regular season with 77-68 win over Washington State

This post was updated March 4 at 10:55 p.m. Senior night was almost spoiled and UCLA’s regular season almost ended on a sour note. The Bruins (28-3, 15-3 Pac-12) found themselves down to the Washington State Cougars (13-17, 6-12) with less than 10 minutes in the game. “No one really warned me it was going […]

UCLA men’s basketball leads Washington State 35-34 at halftime

The celebration started before the game. Senior guards Jerrold Smith, Isaac Hamilton and Bryce Alford were recognized on senior night for the last home game they will play at Pauley Pavilion. It continued through the first 10 minutes of the first half as UCLA ran out to a eight-point lead. Freshman guard Lonzo Ball dished […]

Men’s basketball needs to fill in void left by T.J. Leaf’s injury

Even with freshman forward T.J. Leaf’s left ankle injury, coach Steve Alford tried to keep the mood in the locker room light. “I told him five minutes, two (points), one (rebound) and one (assist) – that’s not a bad line in five minutes,” Alford said after No. 3 UCLA’s (27-3, 14-3 Pac-12) 98-66 win over […]