Is UCLA Basketball Destined for a National Championship?
The UCLA Basketball team defeated #1 Kentucky last Saturday in its ninth-straight win of the season and are looking like title contendors.
UCLA Basketball faced #1 Kentucky last weekend in the Bruins’ first test of the season. Since the arrival of star freshmen Lonzo Ball, TJ Leaf, and Ike Anigbogu, the Bruins had been playing really well, but many argued they hadn’t faced a “real team” yet.
During the Wooden Classic, Ball’s father, LaVar Ball, made the bold prediction that UCLA would win the National Championship. The game commentators, however, followed Ball’s comments by pointing out the Bruins were just beating Portland.
The “real team” test for the Bruins came in the shape of the Wildcats. Against Kentucky, the Bruins were physical from the get go, always seeming to have a bit of an advantage. UCLA eventually defeated Kentucky 97-92 on the road.
Related Story: Five Takeaways From the Win Over Kentucky
This win impressed more than just fans. The latest Associated Press poll saw the Bruins rise to the #2 spot and Kentucky fall to the sixth spot. After finally beating a “real team,” can we start believing LaVar Ball’s prediction?
Winning against Kentucky was impressive indeed, but remember, the Bruins also beat Kentucky last year when the Wildcats were on top of the AP poll. This remarkable feat occurred during UCLA’s worst season under head coach Steve Alford. It would be hard to argue this Kentucky win determines everything given how last year played out for UCLA Basketball.
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Aside from the Kentucky win, many are also excited about the Bruins’ 9-0 record, and there is good reason for that. The last time the Bruins started the season with nine straight wins, it was 2006 and that UCLA team eventually made it all the way to the Final Four.
Alford’s team has gotten close to a start like this one before. In the 2013-2014 season, the Bruins kicked off the season with 8 straight wins and an eventual trip to the Sweet Sixteen. But, UCLA Basketball also made it to the Sweet Sixteen the following year, even though the Bruins only stayed undefeated for four games.
Kentucky and 9-0 record aside, one thing is for sure: this UCLA Basketball team is playing like it will be dancing comes March. If the eye test alone is enough to predict a championship, then maybe LaVar Ball is right. Unfortunately, the Bruins haven’t gotten to Pac-12 play yet, and UCLA was horrific last year in conference play, posting a 6-12 record.
So perhaps we should wait until the Bruins begin their conference schedule, when they play #24 Oregon on December 28th. This game against the Ducks should arguably tell us whether this basketball team is ready to go the distance.