The Bruins had no doubts about whether they deserved an NCAA tournament bid following their loss to the Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-12 tournament semifinal. “I don’t think there’s any question,” said coach Steve Alford. Read more...
Photo: Though UCLA’s selection to the NCAA tournament was met with a fair share of dissent, the Bruins went 9-4 over their last 13 games, with two close losses coming to No. 2 seed Arizona. (Katie Meyers/Daily Bruin senior staff)
There are no As for effort in basketball. No “close but no cigars.” The horseshoes and hand grenades rule of thumb is in full effect. But what UCLA did against No. Read more...
Photo: Sophomore guard Bryce Alford led UCLA’s scoring against Arizona, a game in which the Bruins showed much promise in limiting the Wildcats’ opportunities and falling by only 10 points. (Katie Meyers/Daily Bruin senior staff)
UCLA men’s basketball’s struggles this season have been well documented. Just last week, I wrote that the Bruins’ NCAA tournament hopes were looking dim after their last-minute loss to the Cal Golden Bears. Read more...
Photo: Arizona, one of the Pac-12’s top teams last season, was one of three teams from the conference to reach the 2014 NCAA tournament and advance beyond the Sweet 16. This year, there is no guarantee of three Pac-12 teams even making the tournament. (Daily Bruin file photo)
I was ready to claim UCLA men’s basketball had a realistic shot at making the NCAA tournament, but then Cal had to come along and ruin it all. Read more...
Photo: With the loss to Cal, coach Steve Alford’s Bruins find themselves dangerously close to missing out on the NCAA Tournament. Realistically, UCLA will need to have 19 to 21 wins if it hopes to secure a bid. The Bruins will need to win five of their next seven to reach 19 heading into the Pac-12 tournament. (Brandon Choe/Daily Bruin senior staff)
How confusing has this UCLA men’s basketball season been? Just five days after one of its least impressive performances on the road at Oregon, UCLA returned home and cruised to a relatively easy victory over No. Read more...
Photo: Sophomore guard Isaac Hamilton celebrates with UCLA fans after the Bruins’ 72-59 win over the Colorado Buffaloes on Sunday in Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins have accrued a 11-1 record at home, but are 2-8 on the road. (Aubrey Yeo/Daily Bruin senior staff)
For a fan base that rarely fills the seats of Pauley Pavilion and that cheers louder for winning coupons to Yogurtland than its team winning games, UCLA basketball fans certainly seem passionate in their opinions of second-year coach Steve Alford. Read more...
Photo: Although the UCLA men’s basketball team has had a less than stellar season as of late, coach Steve Alford’s roster was also hamstrung in terms of depth prior to the season’s commencement. (Aubrey Yeo/Daily Bruin senior staff)
The expectations could hardly have been higher. Coming into the season, UCLA was the hot choice for college football playoff predictions. Three out of seven Sports Illustrated experts picked the Bruins to reach the playoffs and another three picked them to at least play in a New Year’s Six bowl game. Read more...
Photo: Redshirt senior inside linebacker Eric Kendrics established himself as one of the nation’s best defensive players, winning the Butkus Award for the top collegiate linebacker. (Katie Meyers/Daily Bruin senior staff)
