Despite the #21 recruiting class in the nation, an experienced core of upper classmen and the deepest roster in Head Coach Steve Alford’s tenure, the UCLA Basketball team is unranked in the AP Top 25 Poll for the second consecutive year.
The UCLA Basketball team has missed the preseason AP Top 25 for the second year in a row. Despite getting to the Sweet 16 in consecutive years and bringing in a Top 25 recruiting class, the Bruins have been left out of the 2015-16 preseason AP Poll.
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The last time UCLA was ranked in preseason AP Poll was before the 2013-14 season where they secured the #22 spot to start Alford’s first year.
In this most recent poll, UCLA had received a total of 2 votes, which essentially puts them 47th in the rankings if it went past 25 spots.
Part of the perception of the Bruins might have to do with their performance last season. UCLA struggled against ranked teams and did not find a lot of success on conference road trips.
Many even believed that UCLA did not deserve a bid to the NCAA tournament, despite winning 7 of their last 8 games of the regular season.
The Bruins needed a last-second goaltending call in their favor against SMU to advance past the first round and blew out UAB to advance to the Sweet 16.
Unfortuantely, UCLA Basketball was picked apart by Gonzaga, 74-62, to end their NCAA run. Though the Bruins were one of the last 16 teams in the tournament, they failed to be ranked in the final AP Poll.
This season, Alford looks to change the perception of his team as he has experience with a solid core consisting of guards Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton and center/forward Tony Parker.
UCLA will also benefit from sophomore front court threats Thomas Welsh and Gyorgy Goloman (though “GG” is out for the next month or two with leg fracture).
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On top of that, the Bruins bring in 4-star guards Aaron Holiday and Prince Ali to help with backcourt depth and Jonah Bolden who is finally eligible (per the NCAA) to play despite coming to UCLA last year.
UCLA Basketball may not be ranked in the preseason, but we could see that change with the talent and depth the Bruins bring into the season. Right now, UCLA needs to focus on coming together as a team and prepare for a tough schedule which includes games against several Top 25 teams like Kentucky, Gonzaga, North Carlina and two games against Arizona.
Click HERE for the full AP Top 25.