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UCLA Basketball’s Hottest Start Since 2006-07

By Mike Regalado

December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) and forward TJ Leaf (22) help up guard Lonzo Ball (2) against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) and forward TJ Leaf (22) help up guard Lonzo Ball (2) against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team has their best start to the season under Steve Alford and the program’s best start since 2006-07 when they went to the Final Four.

After taking down Michigan at home, the UCLA Basketball team in now 10-0, which is the best start for the Bruins since the 2006-07 season. That year, the Bruins made it to their second out of a three consecutive Final Fours.

That season, the Ben Howland-coached Bruins had an amazing start to the season as the they ran through the non-conference schedule with a perfect mark, right into Pac-10 play where the Bruins did not lose until four games in. UCLA had started that season 14-0 with a #1 ranking before succumbing to the #17 Oregon Ducks.

The Darren Collison and Arron Afflalo-led Bruins would only lose five more times that season, the last unfortunately to the Florida Gators in the Final Four.

December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) moves to the basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) moves to the basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

With the non-conference season winding down for the Bruins this year, UCLA could come close to that 14-0 start. There are three games remaining in the non-conference (vs UC Santa Barbara, Ohio State and Western Michigan) and victories in those games will have them start 13-0, but to get to that 14th win, UCLA will have to beat reigning Pac-12 Champion Oregon in Eugene.

Though the goal is not to try and top any one season, the point is that this UCLA Basketball team is on fire.

Last week they took down then #1 Kentucky which propelled them to #2 in the AP Poll. They are one of the best (if not THE best) offensive teams in the nation.

The Bruins are 1st in the nation in field goal percentage (.562), 1st in assists per game (23.9) and 2nd in scoring (97.5 ppg). Behind freshmen Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf, these Bruins are paying a very fast uptempo style of basketball that is burying teams, but how far can this team go?

Next: Bruins Get Big Production From Their Big Men

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UCLA is already being projected as not just a highly-ranked NCAA Tournament team, but a possible Final Four team. Though that kind of talk needs to settle, there is some truth to it. UCLA is on a trajectory they have not seen in several years and if they keep it up, Lavar Ball’s guarantee could come true.