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UCLA Basketball: Despite a Let Down, This Was Indeed a Successful Season

By Mike Regalado

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford greets UCLA center Thomas Welsh (40) at the bench in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford greets UCLA center Thomas Welsh (40) at the bench in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team ended their season in the Sweet 16, which is disappointing, but considering where they were a year ago, the Bruins had a successful season.

Take away the fact that the UCLA Basketball team lost in the Sweet 16 and realize that 331 Division I teams did not make it that far. The Bruins have been a Top 10 (or arguable 15) team this season, so despite the end, it was an overall good season.

No they did not win the conference, but compared to where they were a year ago, this season was  a considerable improvement.

In 2015-16, the Bruins were a mess after going 15-17. It was a forgettable season but the future was bright. That is because Head Coach Steve Alford had a different focus and the Bruins reloaded with freshmen Lonzo Ball, TJ Leaf and Ike Anigbogu.

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They went from not playing in the NCAA Tournament to making the Sweet 16. They were one of the three best Pac-12 teams, beat #1 Kentucky back in December and had several players receiving post-season accolades.

This turnaround cannot be ignored. The reason for this is because the Bruins have stabilized and are slowly making improvements. Though it was possible to win the conference and go far in the tournament, the fact is that it would be a long shot.

Compared to last season, this year was a major improvement, but there were still some flaws. Luckily, those flaws are slowly being addressed and should improve going forward.

With an upswing in a recruiting, an uptempo offense and more focus to the defense, the Bruins should continue to be a Top 10 team in the next several years.

Though the Bruins will mostly likely lose four players, Bryce Alfird and Isaac Hamilton to graduation and Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf to the NBA Draft, the good news is, they reload with six players coming in next season.

Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) with guard Lonzo Ball (2) and guard T.J. Leaf (22) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) with guard Lonzo Ball (2) and guard T.J. Leaf (22) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

This summer, the Bruins will welcome SF Kris Wilkes (5*), PG Jaylen Hands (5*), C Jalen Hill (4*), PF Cody Riley (4*), SF LiAngelp Ball (3*) and SF Chris Smith (3*), who currently make up the #2 recruiting class for 2017 according to Scout.com.

Above all, you could not argue that this wasn’t an entertaining season. As one of the top scoring teams in the nation, UCLA put on a show every night. It was fun watching Ball and Leaf play with Thomas Welsh, Aaron Holiday, Alford and Hamilton, but this was just the beginning.

Next: UCLA Basketball Ends Season With a Let Down in the Sweet 16

Things are looking up for the UCLA Basketball team and if they can continue to make improvements, hopefully the Bruins can bring some hardware to Westwood in the next few years.