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UCLA Basketball: Let’s Forget About Alford

By Ashley Tellier

Jan 23, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) and UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) and UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) and talk between plays against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) and UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) and UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) and talk between plays against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
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As another season under Steve Alford approaches, can we still be excited about UCLA Basketball?

It is not surprising that UCLA Basketball Head Coach Steve Alford is not a popular figure among UCLA fans.

Related Story: Is UCLA Already In a Downward Spiral?

After all, the program has seen some considerable decline, including the fact that the Bruins did not make it to the NCAA Tournament or even the NIT (!) last season. And now, the team finds itself losing players left and right, long before the season gets underway.

Mar 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford during the second half in the semifinals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford during the second half in the semifinals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Many Alford apologists will note that the Coach did take the Bruins to back-to-back Sweet Sixteens (2013-2014 and 2014-2015) during his tenure at UCLA. But what that crowd does not realize is that despite getting that far, UCLA just has not looked good playing. It would not be a stretch to state that the Bruins have won key games just out of sheer luck—goaltending, anyone?

In the previous years, it has been clear that our defense has been missing, our offense is rather inconsistent, and the team appears to lack rhythm. Even more unforgiving, Alford has lost at least one talented player due to concerns of nepotism.

In short, the hate for Alford is real, and in many ways, oh so justified. But should we really let the guy get in the way of our enjoyment of UCLA Basketball?

Nov 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins athletic director Dan Guerrero arrives for the game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins athletic director Dan Guerrero arrives for the game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Although like many, I want Alford gone, this is not an easy feat for Athletic Director Dan Guerrero. The truth is that Alford’s contract is a rather sweet deal and UCLA might not just have the right amount of cash to get rid of him.

If UCLA terminates Alford’s contract without cause prior to April 30, 2017, the school would have to pay him $7,800,000. And in case you were wondering, “sucking” isn’t cause. Yes, we might be stuck with the guy for a little while. Knowing that, what do we do now?

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Here’s a thought: Disliking Alford and being excited for the UCLA Men’s Basketball team do not have to be mutually exclusive. Let that sink in for a moment.

We are entitled to cheer for the Bruins and wish them well even if we are counting the minutes until Guerrero buys Alford out. We can be thrilled to see how Isaac Hamilton, Aaron Holiday, Thomas Welsh, and company continue to develop. And we can be head-over-heels with excitement to see freshmen Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf hit the Wooden Court do what they do best: ball.

This is an open invitation to my fellow Bruin fans to stop giving Alford the spotlight, which does nothing but harm the program and the players. Let’s put our UCLA basketball jerseys on and be openly excited that another season of UCLA Basketball is just a few months away.

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Go Bruins!