The Bi-Polar Bruins Regress In A Disappointing Loss To Oregon State

The title says it all. Though UCLA had a fantastic three-game win streak, where it looked like they had turned a corner, they stumble in their latest contest as they lose to Oregon State 66-55 in Corvallis. The Bi-Polar Bruins had another bad shooting game that caused them to start slow and finish slower. It was that kind of game in that kind of season for UCLA.

Things did not start great for the Burins. Though UCLA had been doing very well getting the ball into the low post in the last three games, that strategy took a hit when Tony Parker was ruled out of the game with back spasms. Because of that, the head coach Steve Alford reverted back the give-it-to-Bryce Alford offense and once again sputtered as there was absolutely no flow to the Bruin’s game. Though the younger Alford had a team-high 18 points, the majority of his baskets were in the second half amid an overall abysmal game.

It is funny because Steve Alford actually had Bruin fans believing that this 2014-15 Bruin squad was good. Although, that is a bit harsh. They are good, he is just not a good coach. At the very least, he is not a consistent coach and this was once again highlighted with a head-scratching set of plays and bad game planning by the Bruin coach.

UCLA Bruins

I guess we just have to laugh… because it has gone way beyond the point of crying.

As for the players, a few were actually busting their behinds trying to make this a game. UCLA was down by 17 in the second half and once again fought their way back to get to within 2 points with 3 minutes remaining.

Kevon Looney, Norman Powell, Gyorgy Goloman and Thomas Welsh (who started in place of Parker) had helped UCLA with more than just scoring as they stepped up their defense, won the rebounding battle (35-32) and were generally all over the court trying to make plays for the Bruins. But it was not meant to be. There were too many things going wrong for UCLA.

Isaac Hamilton had zero points on 0-for-10 shooting. Alford was 5-for-15 from the field. Looney was only 3-for-10 in field goals. But that does not speak to what went right for UCLA.

Looney, despite 30% shooting, had another double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Welsh had 5 rebounds and 8 points (3-for-6 shooting). Goloman was 3-for-3 with six points, one of which was a long 2-pointer that was originally called a three. Powell got his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The sad thing is that Powell was doing every little thing, yet because of tunnel vision by the Steve Alford, was punished for his few mistakes.

The younger Alford, who made bad turnovers, attempted bad shots and is a liability on defense (because he has no defense) stayed in the game. Maybe it is just me, but Bryce Alford should be the one to sit more often. Unfortunately that is not the case as he is averaging a team-high 35.7 minutes a game, three and a half minutes more than senior Norman Powell. It is a damn shame.

Steve Alford is being paid a lot of money to win at UCLA and that is just not happening.