UCLA Takes On Some Proper Competition Before The Battle 4 Atlantis, Beats Long Beach State 77-63

Despite coming into this game leading the nation in points per game, the UCLA Bruins (4-0) found some proper competition from the Long Beach State 49ers who tested the Bruin’s fortitude all game long. In their last game before the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas, UCLA showed that they not only have enough firepower to get past some more talented and aggressive teams, but they also showed that they really need to work on defense. There were somethings that worked for UCLA tonight and there were some things that did not.

Starting with the offense, UCLA was generally having a bad shooting night as they went 40% for the game. The Bruins were still able to score, but missed several shots in the process. These were different characteristics from what we saw in the first three games. Previously, the Bruins looked confident against some lesser talent but against Long Beach State they looked flustered and unable to communicate. Now do not get me wrong, the Bruins were not horrible, they just did not click during stretches of the game.

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Norman Powell seemed to be the only effective scorer as he had 24 points on 8 for 14 shooting (4 of 7 from the 3-point line). When others seemed to hit a dry spell, Powell had the energy to go after loose balls, make a defensive play or throw down an earth-shattering dunk. He will be great this season.

Oppositely, things were different for a few other Bruins. Watching Bryce Alford perform when he had a proper defense on him showed that he needs to work on penetration, finding passing alternatives and not getting caught in a double team. Long Beach State’s senior guard Mike Caffey has been an effective scorer for the 49ers and continued that with 19 points, yet on defense was where he was lock-down and forced Alford to change up his game on several occasions. Alford may have been shut down, but eventually he found ways to be effective.

Kevon Looney was still effective as he claimed another double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, but overall he also was affected by LBSU’s defense as he was stagnant from time to time. Now that doesn’t mean he was in a funk, because he did a great job with put backs and had another great rebounding night. He just needs to understand how much better the college basketball competition will get, which, in essence, is a timely wake up call. Though he had moment of ineffectiveness, he also showed he has the athleticism to push through and take over a game.

Nov 23, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Norman Powell (4) shoots against Long Beach State 49ers forward Temidayo Yussuf (4) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Now defense is something the Bruins really need to work and we will get an even better sense of that on Wednesday when they face Oklahoma in the first game of Battle 4 Atlantis. But for this game, UCLA’s defense was pretty bland. There was no aggression, some confusion in zone and UCLA basically waiting for LBSU to make a move. Luckily, they had a bit more talent to get them in position to limit the 49ers offense. Long Beach State had only shot 47 times as opposed to the Bruin’s 65 attempts.

Whenever the Bruins would get on a run, the 49ers would get right back in it and to change the momentum and the flow of the game. Fortunately, for the Bruins they were able to maintain their lead and have occasionally runs of their own which eventually helped them put this game away. Credit does have to be given to Long Beach State as they hung in there with this up-tempo offense. It is probably because they did not have a high-powered defense to go up against.