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UCLA Gets Outplayed By Gonzaga With Bad Defense, A Slow Start And Little Effort

By Mike Regalado

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It was not a total annihilation, but it was still a pretty bad showing from the UCLA Bruins whom, for the third straight game, had a horrible first half. Unfortunately for this game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, the Bruins would find themselves on the losing end despite having a second half resurgence as they fall to the Bulldogs 87-74. Aside from the slow start, UCLA also allowed the Bulldogs to shoot the lights out with little-to-no defense. Bottom line, this was a game that the Burins should have gotten up for, instead, they waited until after halftime to give any kind of effort.

Dec 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) loses the ball against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Gary Bell Jr. (5) during the game at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Slow Start Against Gonzaga

In the first half, UCLA had only shot 38.7% on their own floor and in front of their own fans (some of them). Surprisingly, Gonzaga had a few hiccups as well and despite leading, did not have the push to extend the lead. In the first half, the Bulldogs largest margin was 14, which is small compared to what the Bruins were not producing themselves.

What Defense?

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The Bruins were horrible in both man and zone defense. In man, the Bruins were at least able to cut off the Bulldogs from one another, though Gonzaga’s hot hands kept them in the game, but not by much. Still, UCLA did not do themselves any favors as things were even worse in zone defense.

Seeing as UCLA needs to focus on stopping opponents before they attempt any shots, especially against sharp-shooitng teams, the Bruins efforts consisted of standing near the three-point line and putting their arms out. There was no pressure what so ever from the Bruins to disrupt the ball hander, no effort get into passing lanes and no effort to cover rotations.

Little To No Energy

Dec 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Norman Powell (4) drives against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Kevin Pangos (4) during the game at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Bruins did not have a true leader out there. Norman Powell should be the one, but as we saw in this game, when he cannot produce, he turns into a ghost. The only Bruin that was doing anything out there, especially in the first half, was freshman Kevon Looney, a player that has only been with the team for 11 games. Every other starter did not step up until the second half and by then, it was too late.

UCLA had a few good stretches, but what ever the Bruins did, Gonzaga had an answer… every time. When the Bruins start slow, they put themselves in a hole and as we saw in this game, it got them in the end.

It Gets Harder

So now he Bruins get to tangle with the Wildcats of Kentucky in their next game in the CBS Sports Classic. Needless to say, there does not seem tone a lot of hope that the Bruins will slay the monster that is the #1 team in the nation. UCLA has to many issues to fix and at least at this point, it does not seem like they are doing anything to solve them and that is on head coach Steve Alford. He may be good at making in-game adjustments, but as we have seen this season, he does not seem to be good at having this team prepared.

Dec 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford during the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports