UCLA Basketball: What to Expect This Season
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The UCLA Bruins are gearing up for another season of basketball, and fans are eager to see what the team will achieve this year. Here’s a look at what to expect from UCLA basketball this season.
UCLA’s Chances This Season
UCLA’s basketball team is poised to have a great season. The Bruins are ranked No. 3 in the nation and have one of the most talented rosters in the country. They have a chance to win the Pac-12 regular season title and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament
Here are three things to watch for this season:
1. The return of point guard Lonzo Ball
Ball, who missed the last six weeks of last season with a Knee Injury is healthy and ready to lead UCLA this season. He is one of the best players in the country and will be a key piece for the Bruins.
2. The development of forwards TJ Leaf and Cody Riley
Leaf and Riley are two of UCLA’s most talented young players They both showed glimpses of their potential last season, but they will need to take another step forward this year for UCLA to reach its full potential.
3. The play of center Thomas Welsh
Welsh is one of the best centers in the country and he will be a force on both ends of the court for UCLA this season. He is a good rebounder and shot-blocker and he has also developed into a reliable scoring option.
The Team’s Strengths
This season, the UCLA Basketball team will be looking to improve on their disappointing performance from last year. One area they will be looking to improve is their shooting. The team’s leading scorer, Tyus Edney, is a senior and he is expected to have a big year. He is a great shooter and he will be the main focus of the offense.
Another strength of the team is their size. They have two big men George Zider and Wallace Bryant, who are both over seven feet tall. They should be able to use their size to their advantage on the boards and on defense.
The biggest question mark for the team is their point guard play. They lost their starting point guard from last year, Pooh Richardson, to graduation. They will be relying on sophomore Darrick Martin to run the point this season. Martin is a good player but he is still inexperienced and it remains to be seen how well he will adjust to being the starting point guard at UCLA.
The Team’s Weaknesses
It is no secret that the UCLA basketball team has some weaknesses. One of their biggest weaknesses is their lack of size. They do not have any player taller than 6’9” on their roster. This lack of size could be a problem when they face teams with bigger players. Another weakness for the team is their lack of experience. This season, the team will have four freshmen and two sophomores in their starting lineup These young players will need to learn quickly if the team wants to be successful this season.
Key Players to Watch
UCLA Basketball is one of the most historic programs in all of college basketball They have won 11 National Championships the second most in NCAA history. They have produced some of the greatest players to ever play the game including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Bill Walton and Reggie Miller This season they will look to add to their legacy. Here are three Key Players to Watch This Season
First is junior guard Kris Wilkes. He was UCLA’s leading scorer last season averaging nearly 16 points per game He also pulled down 5 rebounds per game He will be looked at to be the leader of this team on and off the court.
Next is freshman center Moses Brown. He is one of the highest rated recruits in UCLA history. He is a 7 footer that can run and jump with the best of them. He is expected to make an immediate impact on both ends of the court.
The last player to watch is sophomore guard Jaylen Hands He showed flashes of brilliance last season as a freshman averaging 10 points and 4 assists per game He will look to take the next step this season and become one of the best guards in the country.
The Schedule
This season, the UCLA Bruins will face some tough opponents, but they have the potential to come out on top. Below is a list of their games, as well as what to expect from each team they will be facing.
UCLA vs. Michigan State Spartans
This will be a tough game for the Bruins, as the Spartans are a top-ranked team. However, if they can contain star player Miles Bridges they have a chance to win.
UCLA vs. Kentucky Wildcats
The Bruins have historically struggled against Kentucky, but this year’s team is different. They are more experienced and have been playing well together. If they can continue to play at a high level, they could pull off the upset.
UCLA vs. Duke Blue Devils
Duke is always a tough opponent, but UCLA has the talent to compete with them. If they can stay focused and execute their game plan they could come away with a win.
The Conference
UCLA is a young team that is still developing. They are led by a strong freshman class, which includes TJ Leaf and Lonzo Ball The Bruins have some experienced players too, such as Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton. UCLA is currently ranked #3 in the nation by the AP Poll.
The Bruins are in the Pac-12 conference, which is considered to be one of the best basketball conferences in the country. Their conference rivals include Oregon, Arizona, and USC. UCLA will have to fight for a conference title this season, but they have the talent to do it.
UCLA’s schedule includes some tough non-conference games as well. They will play Kentucky, Texas A&M, Michigan, and Ohio State before Pac-12 play even starts. These games will test the Bruins early on, but they will help them prepare for the conference season.
If UCLA can stay healthy and improve their defense, they should have no problem winning the Pac-12 conference and making a run in the NCAA Tournament
The Fans
The UCLA Bruins have some of the most dedicated and passionate fans in all of college basketball Every season, the stands at Pauley Pavilion are packed with blue and gold, and the fan noise can be deafening. If you’re going to a game, be prepared to make some noise yourself – it’s part of the fun.
UCLA fans are also very knowledgeable about the game, and they’re not afraid to let you know it. Don’t be surprised if you hear a lot of “U-C-L-A!” chants during the game. It’s all part of the experience.
The Media
The 2018-19 UCLA Bruins men’s Basketball team will be under immense scrutiny this season from both the national media and fans alike. This is a result of the team’s disappointing performance last season, as well as the off-court controversies that have surrounded the program in recent months.
The Bruins will enter the season with a new Head Coach in Steve Alford, who was hired after the firing of previous head coach Ben Howland. Alford has already made it clear that he expects his team to be much better this season, and that he will be holding everyone accountable for their performance on and off the court.
With all of this in mind, it’s safe to say that there will be a lot of pressure on the Bruins this season to perform at a high level. It remains to be seen if they will be able to handle all of the expectations and distractions that come with being one of the most storied programs in College Basketball history.
The Legacy
The UCLA Bruins have one of the most storied basketball programs in NCAA history. With 11 national championships and over 100 conference titles, the Bruins have cemented their place as a powerhouse in College Basketball This season, the Bruins are looking to add to their legacy with a talented group of players.
coach Steve Alford has assembled a top-notch recruiting class headlined by five-star recruits Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands. Wilkes is a 6’7″ wing who is considered one of the best shooters in the class. Hands is a 6’3″ point guard who is an explosive scorer and playmaker. Both players should make an immediate impact for the Bruins.
In addition to the newcomers, the Bruins also have a solid core of returners led by junior Thomas Welsh and senior Aaron Holiday Welsh is a 7-foot center who averaged over 12 points and 10 rebounds per game last season. Holiday is a dynamic point guard who averaged over 15 points and 5 assists per game last season. With a mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers, the UCLA Bruins are poised for another successful season
The Future
The UCLA basketball team has a lot of potential this season. They have a lot of young, talented players that will be looking to make an impact. The team also has a new Head Coach in Mick Cronin, who is known for his tough, disciplined style of play. If everything comes together, this could be a very special season for UCLA Basketball