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UCLA Basketball: Freshmen Injuries Could Hamper NCAA Run

By Mike Regalado

January 21, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) during a stoppage in play against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 21, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) during a stoppage in play against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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With UCLA Basketball’s superstar freshmen sustaining injuries, the Bruins could have a tough time in the NCAA Tournament.

After a season that was nearly injury-free (sans Prince Ali and Alex Olesinki), the UCLA Basketball team now have to worry about their two freshmen, Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf, who sustained injuries which could affect the way the team performs in next week’s NCAA Tournament.

Last week, TJ Leaf sprained his ankle five minutes into the game against Washington and sat out the rest of the contest. He also missed the next game against Washington State.

He returned this week for the Bruins’ win over USC in the Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals and played some good minutes with 29 total points in both games, but it was apparent he was not 100%.

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Last night against Arizona in the quarterfinals, Lonzo Ball hurt his thumb when trying to catch a rebound. He was visibly hurt and his stats tell what kind of night he had: 8 points, 6 assists, 4 turnovers.

Ball was clearly not himself and because of that, the Bruins were not themselves either.

After their last loss, UCLA was able to turn things around with a better focus on defense and more cohesiveness in their offense. Now, throwing injuries into the mix, it becomes a different story. UCLA cannot just switch things around if both cannot play up to their potential.

If Ball and Leaf are not healthy, that is not good for UCLA.

Though the Bruins are a deep with a number of players that can score, it will be a huge blow if these two superstar freshmen were unable to play at 100% in the NCAA Tournament. Seeing as Ball and Leaf average 14.6 and 16.2 points per game, respectively, UCLA will have to make up for those points another way, which is easier said than done.

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As unfortunate as it is, that is how things go. Let us just hope Ball and Leaf can rest up in this next week before their first venture in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64.