UCLA Basketball: Your Comprehensive 2012-13 Preview

UCLA could be one of the deepest teams in the nation, essentially putting what was a 19-win team in 2011 four spots lower on the depth chart.

This includes Tyler Lamb, whose shooting percentage wasn’t anything fantastic, but still proved to be a guard worthy of scoring from the perimeter while also being competent defensively. To go along with this, UCLA fans can expect Norman Powell, a combo guard with tremendous athleticism and above-average on-ball defense, to accompany Lamb off the bench, likely in relief of Larry Drew II at the point.

The big man rotation doesn’t get less daunting for the opposition. These Bruins will likely rotate Travis Wear, David Wear, Josh Smith and Tony Parker at the pivot and 4 in any combination. The Wear Twins, although maddening when playing big, are versatile and consistent, proving to play well in any role they’re asked to outside of the wing (blame that on their below-average three-point shot and inability to take opponents off the dribble at that spot). Meanwhile, Parker and Smith can take turns getting gassed (applicable, again, to just Smith) and the Wears would play solid complementary roles in that regard.

Of course, all this is considering Shabazz Muhammad doesn’t get cleared to play by the NCAA. If he is? The ball game changes for these Bruins, because then Jordan Adams will get to play a sixth man role off the bench as a sharpshooter while neither of the Wear twins will have to play the 3.

Overall, UCLA has an incredible amount of talent. You’ll note that we haven’t exactly discussed the schedule too much because, if we’re honest, it won’t matter if UCLA plays the right type of system, stays relatively healthy, and Howland uses his players to ensure chemistry issues aren’t prevalent.

Save for Arizona, there’s not a team in the Pac-12 that UCLA can’t sweep in the regular season (sure, Cal might give the Bruins a run once in awhile, but that team seems to lack the glue guys that made them “successful” in 2011-12, losing Jorge Gutierrez and Harper Kamp) and the out-of-conference schedule, although heavyweights make appearances, is laden with cupcakes like UC-Davis, Indiana State and wherever/whoever the hell Prairie View A&M is.

Of course, UCLA’s going to have to watch out for the Legends Classic tournament which includes Georgia, Indiana, and Georgetown, and they’re also going to have to be weary of San Diego State on December 1 and Long Beach State on December 18.

But these are winnable games, if UCLA decides it wants to play consistent, fast, smart hoops by the time Friday rolls around.

UCLA has all the tools necessary for a massive run and gets to play in a bit of a weak conference to further ail your concerns.

It’s basketball time folks, and your UCLA Bruins are on deck.