UCLA Basketball: Comparing The 2015-16 Roster To Last Season

Feb 18, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils defeated the Bruins 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Bench Comparison

2014-15: Thomas Welsh – Noah Allen – Gyorgy Goloman – Wanaah Bail

2015-16: Jonah Bolden – Prince Ali – Noah Allen – Gyorgy Goloman – Alex Olesinski – Ikenna Okwarabizie

UCLA Bruins

Last season the starting five scored 90.1% of UCLA’s total points for the year and played 78.8% of the total minutes. With no depth and a 7-man rotation, the Bruins often found themselves coming up short or were gassed by the end of most games because of how many minutes they played.

This season, expect up to four players to get solid time off the bench. UCLA has 11 scholarship players, the most in the Steve Alford-era, which will help on several levels.

First off, there is experience with players like Goloman and Allen. Both played a decent amount of minutes last season, but have shown to make some improvements in development.

Second, with the addition of players like Bolden and Ali, UCLA Basketball adds talent that will contribute immediately. Okwarabizie and Olesinski will be projects, but ones that immediately help with depth.

Advantage: The 2015-16 Bruins

Next: Final Analysis