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UCLA Basketball: After Ohio State Win, Bruins Look Forward to Pac-12

By Mike Regalado

Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and guard Bryce Alford (20) celebrate after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 86-73 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and guard Bryce Alford (20) celebrate after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 86-73 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team just defeated Ohio State and with one more non-conferecne game to go, the Bruins are readying themselves for Pac-12 play.

The UCLA Basketball team could be 13-0 if they defeat Western Michigan on Wedensday. The Bruins are currently 12-0 after taking down a pesky Ohio State squad in the CBS Sports Classic.

This is the best start for the Bruins since the 1991-92 season when they began the season 14-0. UCLA is even off to a better start than the 1995 Championship team. That speaks volumes.

But these Bruins are not free and clear yet, especially with the Pac-12 schedule ahead of them. UCLA is good, but we will see just how good they are.

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UCLA’s win over a good Ohio State team once again showed the nation that the Bruins are for real. OSU was a test of defensive pressure against offensive speed. Though the Buckeyes did all they could to slow the break-neck Bruins, once again UCLA turned on the afterburners in the second half and left Ohio State in the dust in an 86-73 victory.

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UCLA has seen an array of basketball styles this non-conference season and they have passed every test (except the upcoming WMU game, which should be another “W” for the Bruins). This is good as the biggest test will be navigating through their conference.

Last season, the Bruins had a good non-confertecne schedule which included wins against Kentucky and Gonzaga. But when they went into Pac-12 play, they went an abysmal 6-12.

That is the worry for UCLA this season. Though they are running through opponents, Bruin fans wonder if they now have what it takes to survive the second part of the season.

So far, signs are pointing to yes, but as we saw last year, the Bruins were tired by the end of the season and often succumbed to their opposition late in games. Though that trend seems to be changing, it is something to be aware of this year.

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We get to find out how that storyline begins on Wednesday, December 28 as the Bruins start the Pac-12 season against defending conference champ Oregon in Eugene. Now that is one heck of a way to start their Pac-12 campaign. Can they do it? Signs point to yes.