UCLA Gets Embarrassed By Kentucky In The CBS Sports Classic, Bruins Lose 83-44
UCLA Bruins
Kentucky beat UCLA 83-44. The Wildcats were up 41-7 at halftime. Really, that is all you need to know and I would not be mad if you stopped reading now. Although I appreciate it if you continue because I enjoy your company. But as for UCLA, things are at a low right now. Simply, the Bruins got embarrassed by UK in the CBS Sports Classic in Chicago, Illinois. The game was more painful to watch than the court they played on (that is what is called levity).
UCLA was far from prepared for this game. It was six days since their last contest in which they lost (surprisingly not that bad) to a ranked Gonzaga team. Unfortunately, a combination of UCLA not playing to their potential and Kentucky being really, bloody good made for an embarrassing outing for the Bruins in the Windy City. Losing to Kentucky by 39 points is bad, but it was not the worse loss they had in history. Blame Stanford for that one back in 1997 when UCLA lost by 48 points (more levity).
It was clear what was going to happen in the first minute and half. Kentucky was up 7-0 with two uncontested threes to start fast out of the gate.
In my 24 years of coaching, that is the best team I’ve ever coached against. -Steve Alford
UCLA could not hit anything. At least not for the first 12 1/2 minutes. By then UK was up 24-2. It got worse from there. The Wildcats finished the first half with 16-of-35 (45.7%) shooting. UCLA only hit 3-of-37 (8.1%).The Bruins had no three pointers in the first despite attempting nine, while Kentucky made 6 of their 14.
It was that kind of day.
Dec 20, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Devin Booker (1) shoots the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
You also have to give it to Kentucky. This is a talented team. The fact that they have two “platoons” is astounding and to top it off, the Wildcat’s “2nd platoon” (bench) played better than the Bruin starters as they outscored them. The Wildcats bench scored 39 points led by guard Devin Booker who had a game-high 19 points.
UCLA’s starters who all average double-digits in scoring every game could only muster up a combined 40, not to mention the Bruin bench only had 4 points split between “6th Man” Thomas Welsh and seldom used David Brown.
Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton lead the Bruins in scoring, making 13 and 14 points respectively, unfortunately, it was a too-little-too-late situation. Most of their points came in the second half.
The Bruins got a wake-up call. Even Steve Alford said it, “In my 24 years of coaching, that is the best team I’ve ever coached against.” That quote comes via Jeff Goodman of ESPN. Yes, Kentucky was fantastic, but for Alford to say “coached against” might be giving himself too much credit. There was a not a lot of coaching on the Bruin’s end. UK was much more prepared and way more talented for UCLA. The Bruins are just not ready to contend for anything anytime soon.
Now every one knows that.