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The Go Joe Bruin 2016-17 UCLA Basketball Preview (Men’s)

By Mike Regalado

Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) reacts with guard Isaac Hamilton (10) after making a three pointer during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) reacts with guard Isaac Hamilton (10) after making a three pointer during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2015; Lahaina, HI, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Steve Alford coaches against the UNLV Runnin Rebels at the Lahaina Civic Center during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. UCLA defeats UNLV 77-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; Lahaina, HI, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Steve Alford coaches against the UNLV Runnin Rebels at the Lahaina Civic Center during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. UCLA defeats UNLV 77-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA Basketball Preview (Men’s)

What a difference an off-season makes. After finishing the the season 15-17, UCLA Basketball fans were calling for the termination of Head Coach Steve Alford.

The Bruins lost their last five games, they went 2-8 in their last 10 games, finished 10th in the Pac-12 with a 6-12 record, lost for a third time in the season to USC with a first round exit in the Pac-12 and missed the NCAA Tournament completely.

That did not sit well with Bruin fans. There was an outpour of displeasure that was aimed at the UCLA Athletic Department complete with a fan petition. A few die hard fans even rented planes with banners and trucks with billboards that made their way around the UCLA campus. It was a bit of a mess.

Related Story: Bruins Ranked 16th in Preseason AP Poll

UCLA retained Alford in an announcement in an awkward press conference by Athletic Drector Dan Guerrero. That was preceded by a few days by a letter Alford wrote to the UCLA fan base. Alford took responsibility for the performance of his team and vowed change. To show how sincere he was, Alford even gave back his extension he was awarded after the end of his first season. Despite a displeased fan base, the UCLA Basketball team was moving into the future.

Last season was not great, but things were looking up, especially with a Top 10 recruiting class coming to Westwood. Lonzo Ball, T.J. Leaf and Ike Anigbogu are all expected to contribute and help make UCLA an elite force. They will help a veteran core of Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton and Thomas Welsh try to right the ship and avoid an embarrassing season like last year.

We saw how the Bruins worked together in a three-game tour of Australia and things look promising. With both momentum (and recruiting) on the upswing, can Alford have the UCLA Men’s Basketball team make the jump to the next level in 2016-17 (we asked the same question last season)?

Here is the 2016-17 Go Joe Bruin UCLA Men’s Basketball season preview…

Next: Roster & Projected Line-Up

Table of Contents

Either click “NEXT” to advance the slideshow, or if you wish to jump to a specific section, click one of the links below.:

1. UCLA Men’s Basketball Preview

2. Roster & Projected Line-Up

3. Coaches/Staff

4. Schedule

5. “The Keys” Returners, Losses and Recruits

6. 2015-16 Result

7. 2016-17 Outlook

8. Ticket & Social Media Information