Steve Alford Has UCLA Going In The Wrong Direction And It Is Humiliating

UCLA Bruins

UCLA Basketball did not just lose a game against Kentucky this past weekend, they lost credibility. The most storied program in college basketball history was made to look like a junior varsity high school team that has no clue what is going on against a national powerhouse. Kentucky, the second most storied team in college basketball, humiliated the Bruins in front of a national audience as they beat UCLA 83-44, limiting them to only seven points in the first half. This is on Steve Alford.

To put it into perspective, a 6-3 Columbia team out of the Ivy League had only lost to Kentucky not too long ago by only ten. There is no doubt that Kentucky is a force to be reckoned with, but as for UCLA, they are just a wreck.

Not only did UCLA lose this game to go 8-4 with no sign of winning anytime soon, but he has also made UCLA a laughing stock.

UCLA is no longer the great powerhouse it once was and several people can be pointed to for this. Former head coach Ben Howland for letting things get out of hand in his time. Athletic Director Dan Guerrero for fumbling the coaching search after he gave Howland his walking papers. Guerrero again for giving Alford, an unproven coach, such a ridiculous contract. Though others have been involved in the decline of UCLA basketball, right now, this falls on the leader.

Aor 2, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins athletics director Dan Guerrero speaks at a press conference while flanked by cheerleaders to announce the hiring of

(not pictured) as mens basketball coach at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Although Alford had a fantastic year last season and has done well with recruiting, he seems to have been coasting since his Sweet Sixteen appearance last March. Not only did he let Jordan Adams and Zach LaVine go (or maybe they saw this downfall coming), but he did not reload and prepare this team for the season. It apparently is not that hard. Kentucky, Duke and Arizona have all done it. Why not Alford? Maybe because he was not that great to begin with and now it is showing.

We have pointed out several deficiencies that have plagued UCLA in last few weeks like lack of defense, depth issues and no one to lead the offense. The point is, just one season and 11 games into his tenure at UCLA and Alford’s seat went from lukewarm to boiling.

Although they have already existed, the “Fire Alford” chants and threats of non-support of the Athletic Department (until Alford is removed) were turned up this weekend and believe me, it will only get louder. If he was not already, Alford is now in serious trouble and so is Bruin Basketball.

This is UCLA. It is ridiculous the amount of time the Bruins have gone on being irrelevant. Things need to change and they need to change soon.

Steve Alford, Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports