UCLA Basketball Head Coach Steve Alford Needs To Demand More From His Team, Especially On Defense

There is no denying that UCLA basketball has a lot of scoring threats on their team. You can even throw in the fact that rebounding has improved. The one (major) thing that you will not see the Bruins capable of is any sort of defensive presence. For all that head coach Steve Alford has done in his short time in Westwood, shoring up the defense has not been one of them. This is in stark contrast to how former coach Ben Howland handled things.

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Howland was great at building defensive-minded teams, although a decline in production, recruiting head cases and an attitude that wore thin with his players and boosters led to his dismissal. Alford was brought in to replace him and bring in an up-tempo style of basketball, one that fit the Hollywood backdrop. Well UCLA definitely got that, but they have left defense in the rear view mirror.

Fast forward a year to the summer after Alford returned the Bruins to the Sweet Sixteen. Things were looking up for UCLA, but even in the Kyle Anderson-led squad, there were some issues with the defense. It also did not help that Jordan Adams, the Pac-12’s leader in steals had decided to leave with Anderson to the NBA. UCLA had thickened up their front court with some much needed big men which has improved the Bruin’s rebounding, but that was it. The Bruins now only have one player that is truly a defensive threat, Norman Powell.

Nov 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Norman Powell (4) and head coach Steve Alford in the second half of the game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 84-71. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Other than that, UCLA has absolutely no defense and that really hurts during those stretches when UCLA produces little to no offense. With no defense, the Bruins have to hope that their opponent is just as bad on offense, but more often than not, opponents will be looking for that opportunity against UCLA to exploit their weak defense.

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Take Kentucky for example, who are playing the Bruins this Saturday in Chicago. The Wildcats are a very fast and very gold at scoring. With that in mind they should rip through the Bruins like tissue paper. Kobe Bryant recently said that the Los Angeles Lakers are like Charmin because they are soft. He obviously has not seen the Bruin’s defense.

Having the Bruins defend the rim has proved decent and if opponents do miss shots, then UCLA can grab rebounds as good as any team in the nation. The Bruin’s problem is that they cannot stop those shots from being taken to save their life and that does not look like it is going to be fixed anytime soon.

Opponents have not only been able to get open shots but they’ve been able to take a ton of them uncontested, especially from behind the three-point line. That happens when you have your defense stand around and simply put their hands up. There is no pressure on the ball, no attempt to challenge shots and definitely no hustle in trying to do so.

When the Bruins defenders, specifically the backcourt, are assigned to defend in the zone by simply standing on the three-point line and putting their arms out, that is not defense. That is a role of a tree in a fifth grade theater production. This is college basketball, and if Alford wants to run with the big boys, he needs to get on his team to step up, get in the face of the opponent, cut off passing lanes and make sure they do not get any entry passes.

But I guess that is asking too much from a coach making a lot of money in addition to recently getting a one-year extension.