Go ahead, you can say it. The Bruins are not doing very well right now. Actually, they are doing a bit worse than that. After winning the Pac-12 Tournament last season, UCLA basketball is already at the bottom of the standings. Things have gotten really bad, really quickly. But looking ahead at the rest of the UCLA basketball season, is there any hope? Let us examine what Bruin hoops are dealing with and then we will answer that.
Here are the current standings after two games:
UCLA is at the bottom of the Pac, but also considering their overall record, only Washington St. is worse. That 11th out of 12 teams. That is what a five game losing streak will do to you.
But it does not get any easier for the Bruins. Let us look at the remaining Pac-12 schedule and see what the rest of the UCLA basketball season has in store.
UCLA Bruins
vs Stanford, Jan 8 – L
vs California, Jan 11 – W
The Bruins finally come home, but it may not be so sweet. First off, in regards to how this team is playing (and the general distaste for Steve Alford), there s very little chance Pauley Pavilion is even half-full.
at USC, Jan 14 – W
It is USC. If UCLA loses to them, that would be the last straw for many Bruin fans.
at Oregon State, Jan 22 – W
at Oregon, Jan 24 – L
Here is the thing, UCLA is 1-6 when playing away from Pauley Pavilion this season. We are giving them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to taking on a rebuilding Oregon St. team, but that is not guaranteed either. Now the game at Oregon, forget about it.
Dec 13, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Utah Utes head coach Larry Krystkowiak reacts to a call in the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Sprint Center. Kansas won the game 63-60. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
vs Utah, Jan 29 – L
vs Colorado, Jan 31 – W
We all saw what Utah can do on their home court. It will pretty much be the same with the game at Pauley, just slightly closer. As for Colorado, well, the Bruins were beating the Buffs for a time up in Boulder, so anything can happen.
at Stanford, Feb 5 – L
at California, Feb 7 – L
UCLA has not had a road sweep in years and they are not starting this season. If it continues this way, they might not have a conference road victory at all. The Bruins might be able to beat Cal at Pauley, but at Haas Pavilion, there is not much of a chance.
vs Oregon St., Feb 11 – W
vs Oregon, Feb 14 – L
Once again, OSU could be a solid win at home, but as for Oregon, well they have already beat a Bryce Alford-led team at Pauley Pavilion so look for them to do it two years in a row.
Dec 23, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller shouts towards a player during a game against the UNLV Rebels at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
at Arizona St., Feb 18 – W
at Arizona, Feb 21 – L
UCLA miiiiiiiiiight have a chance against Arizona St. Against Arizona, well, there is always next season.
vs Washington, Feb 25 – L
vs Washington St., Mar 1 – W
Washington has been a huge surprise this year. Huskies win. As for Washington St., they’ll Coug it.
vs USC, Mar 4 – W
The way the rest of the UCLA basketball season is looking, this will probably be a “must win” game, which is quite sad. What will be even sadder is if the Bruins blow this one against the Trojans.
PROJECTED FINISH: 16-15, 8-10
Looking at last season’s final Pac-12 standings, an 8-10 team came in 10th place. That is quite a drop from last season when the Bruins had a solid lock on 2nd place. I would say there is not that much hope and because of this, despite a scorching hot seat, UCLA most likely will not part ways with head coach Steve Alford this season, mostly due to an incredibly perplexing contract Athletic Director Dan Gurerro gave Alford.
Basically what I am trying to get across is that even though UCLA just got out of a funk at the end of the Ben Howland era, they are right back in it and it looks like it may be around even after this season.
Jan 2, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford reacts on his bench late in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Bruins 62-56. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports