UCLA Bruins
Pac-12 (21-11, 11-7)
UCLA has had their ups and downs this season, but the Bruins managed to finish tied for third in a very tight Pac-12. As usual, the Bruins have plenty of talent, but this group has not been very consistent. If they are playing their best basketball, UCLA could be tough to face in the tournament.
Big Wins: 12/23 vs Kentucky (83-75), 2/8 at Arizona (82-74), 3/3 at USC (83-72)
Bad Losses: 1/4 at Stanford (99-107), 1/13 Colorado (59-68), 1/18 at Oregon State (63-69)
Coach: Steve Alford
Why They Can Surprise:
The Bruins have a potent offense and it is Aaron Holiday that leads the way. The junior guard averages 20.3 points and knocks down an impressive 43.3 percent of his three-point attempts. When Holiday is not scoring, he is setting up his teammates. Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands are a couple of dynamic guards who can score from everywhere on the floor. Thomas Welsh is the main threat in the paint. The senior center can stretch the defense with his outside shooting ability, but he is also a force in the paint both in the scoring department and on the glass.
Why They Can Disappoint:
UCLA will give up quite a few points. This is not a team that will create turnovers so the opposition will get an opportunity to knock down shots. If those shots are falling, the Bruins can lose in a shootout. But the Bruins have also lost low scoring games this season. In back-to-back to losses to Colorado and Oregon State, the Bruins scored just 59 points and 63 points, respectively.
Probable Starters:
Aaron Holiday, Junior, Guard, 20.3 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.6 rpg
Kris Wilkes, Freshman, Guard, 13.8 ppg, 1.7 apg, 5.0 rpg
Prince Ali, Sophomore, Guard, 9.0 ppg, 1.4 apg
Gyorgy Goloman, Senior, Forward, 7.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Thomas Welsh, Senior, Center, 13.0 ppg, 10.7 rpg
Key Role Players:
Chris Smith, Freshman, Guard, 4.1 ppg
Jaylen Hands, Freshman, Guard, 10.1 ppg, 2.7 apg, 3.9 rpg
Alex Olesinski, Sophomore, Forward, 4.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 82.2 (26th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 76.2 (273, 10)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.4 (92, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.4 (81, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.3 (46, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.6 (39, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.2 (137, 7)
Rebound Margin: 2.9 (81, 5)
Assists Per Game: 15.2 (80, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.1 (99, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 win over Kent State
2017 NCAA Round of 32 win over Cincinnati
2017 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Kentucky
2015 NCAA Round of 64 win over SMU
2015 NCAA Round of 32 win over UAB
2015 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Gonzaga
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over Tulsa
2014 NCAA Round of 32 win over Stephen F. Austin
2014 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Florida
2013 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Minnesota
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Michigan State
2011 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Florida
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over VCU
2009 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Villanova
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Mississippi Valley State
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Texas A&M
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Western Kentucky
2008 NCAA Regional Final win over Xavier
2008 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Memphis
*all team stats through 3/4
