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As UCLA Fixes Their Problems, Others Emerge

By Mike Regalado

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The UCLA Bruins (6-2) had paid a bit more attention to some of their faults in the 73-45 blowout of Cal State Fullerton Titans (3-5). As we saw in the Battle 4�Atlantis, the Bruins had several problems that plagued them, including defense and free throws. As UCLA fixes their problems, though�helpful, others emerged, or more accurately were amplified. Namely, it was the need for improvements on the bench.

UCLA Fixes Their Problems

The Bruins worked on their defense, which seemed to be the biggest problem in the Battle 4 Atlantis. UCLA had given up 76.3 points and allowed 64.7 shots to be put on them against Oklahoma, North Carolina and UAB. With a focus on stopping the opposition, UCLA played more in their man-to-man defense that suffocated Cal State Fullerton. The rotations were still a bit sloppy, but there was more aggression playing the ball and less fouls, which is always good.

Though the Bruins were playing against a less athletic team than those in the Battle 4 Atlantis, they did a better job of limiting the Titans chances. Fullerton had only attempted 54 shots and only shot 24.1%. Improvements, check!

But something else emerged in the process. Something, like the defense, that will need some attention heading into the rest of the non-conference schedule and into Pac-12 play.

Bench Problems

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    • UCLA’s bench needs to get in the game and not just with more substitutions, but actually producing more when they�do get in the game. The Bruins bench did not score until 5:52 left in the game. In the end only Thomas Welsh, Wanaah Bail and Kory Alford (who is a seldomly used sub) had scored a collective seven points. That is it.

    The inability to produce when the Bruin starters are sitting (who all once again scored in double digits against the Titans) will bury UCLA later in the season when opponents start zeroing in on the subs.

    That will be costly.

    Still, this is a young team that is still growing and learning how to work with each other. There will be bumps in the road and at least at this point in the season, it is good to see the Bruins ironing out their wrinkles.