Who Will Be UCLA’s Go-To Guy Against Gonzaga?
All season we have seen different Bruins step up and lead UCLA to victory. The post-season has been no different as certain individuals have excelled for UCLA. So for Gonzaga, who will it be that takes the reins? Will it be Norman Powell with spectacular jaw-dropping dunks, Bryce Alford with another fantastic three-point shooting performance or Tony Parker and Kevon Looney collecting simultaneous double-doubles?
UCLA Bruins
The answer is all of them.
One of the reasons that the NCAA committee allowed UCLA into the Big Dance was because they thought the Bruins played better later in the season. They have and the reason for that is because they have improved their team play. Individually they have gotten better, but as a team they are improved considerably.
In their second round game, Bryce Alford hit nine from three-point range against SMU. Against UAB, Looney and Parker each got themselves a double-double with Parker getting a game-high 28 points. Isaac Hamilton scored a career-high 36 points against USC in the Pac-12 Tournament less than two weeks ago.
Feb 21, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5), guard Isaac Hamilton (10), center Thomas Welsh (40), guard Bryce Alford (20), and guard Norman Powell (4) huddle during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center. The Wildcats won 57-47. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Even the bench has started helping out. Against UAB, Thomas Welsh had 4 points, 7 rebounds and one block. So you see, this team has improved and is playing some serious ball right now. They even have some solid back-up.
UCLA has a plethora of players that have the capability to take over a game. That was not the case the first time UCLA played Gonzaga back in December. Though the Bruins fought hard and had an exceptional second half, the Bulldogs were eventually no match for UCLA as they won 87-74.
So does that mean Gonzaga will simply roll over UCLA? Well if the Bulldogs have that mindset, then they have already lost. That does not mean I think UCLA is guaranteed a win. The Bruins have had their ups and downs, especially against teams that play great offense and defense. Not to belittle the Bruin victories over SMU and UAB, but Gonzaga will be the best team UCLA has played in this tournament.
With that, I am also not saying UCLA will lose either. This is March Madness after all. Anything can happen.
Feb 21, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Norman Powell (4) celebrates after dunking against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports