Nov 24, 2015; Lahaina, HI, USA; UCLA Bruins go up for the opening tip against the Kansas Jayhawks during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The UCLA Basketball team went a disappointing 1-2 in the Maui Invitational. Here are 3 things we noticed about the Bruin’s trip to Hawai’i.
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The UCLA Basketball team had a not-so-hot week in Paradise as they participated in the Maui Invitational to start the Thanksgiving week. The Bruins won their battle in their first game against UNLV, 77-75. Unfortunately, the Bruins lost the next two games.
UCLA then got beaten up by #5 Kansas, 92-73, in the semi-finals where the Bruins allowed 59 first half points. Then in the third-place game, UCLA could not keep up with Wake Forest in a 80-77 loss. That game was close and with a few improvements, the Bruins could have pulled out the victory.
Unfortunately, the Bruins seem to be falling into the same patterns as we saw in these games, though it was not all bad. Here are 3 things we learned from the Maui Invitational.
Next: What Defense?
Nov 25, 2015; Lahaina, HI, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard
Mitchell Wilbekin(10) drives to the basket against UCLA Bruins guard
Aaron Holiday
(3) during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Defense
There wasn’t any. This UCLA Basketball team can be very effective if they stepped it up on defense. In all three games we saw the Bruins play very loose. They would play 5 feet off the ball on the outisde, continually allows lanes to be created and would not box out. These are just a few examples of things that could be shored up.
What was even more concerning was how flustered the Bruins looked when opponents would pass the ball around and switch off. UCLA looked late to react, appeared confused on rotations and had very little effect on what all three of their Maui Invitational opponents were doing defensively.
There could be an advantage to playing a looser type of defense like limiting fouls and increasing opportunities for the fast break, but as we saw in the Kansas game, when the Bruins go up against an elite team, that team will attack the Bruin’s D relentlessly, which could create fouls against the Bruins and limit fast breaks. So there is that.
Next: A Talented Team
Nov 23, 2015; Lahaina, HI, USA; UNLV Runnin Rebels forward
Jerome Seagears(2) takes a shot against UCLA Bruins center
Thomas Welsh
(40) at the Lahaina Civic Center during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. UCLA defeats UNLV 77-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Good Individually, Better As A Unit
This team has a lot of talent. In each of the three games several players stepped up and had fantastic individual performances. Thomas Welsh scored 20 points in the game against UNLV and proved that he can be unstoppable with his baseline jumpers. Bryce Alford can be very effective from the outside when a shot is created for him, plus his free throw shooting is fantastic as he went 15-for-17 during the invitational.
Nov 24, 2015; Lahaina, HI, USA; UCLA Bruins center Tony Parker (23) dunks against Kansas Jayhawks forward Jamari Traylor (31) during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Parker, when not in foul trouble, is pretty strong underneath the basket. Against Wake Forest he had 15 rebounds and even added 18 points, giving him his fourth double-double of the season. Isaac Hamilton has showed that he can take over games and become a dangerous scoring threat. There is talent all over this team, now they need to make it work as a single unit, which is possible.
The Wake Forest game was evidence of this. The ball was distributed around more which helped spread the wealth as four out of five starters scored in double digits. The one player that did not score in double digits, Aaron Holiday, had nine points.
Collectively, the Bruins looked like they were finally meshing. UCLA had brought the game to within 2 points in the final five minutes, but unfortunately Wake Forest outlasted UCLA on fouls and free throws. Still, it was good to see that cohesion which helped them play as a unit. There was also a little fire there.
Next: A Fire Inside?
Nov 25, 2015; Lahaina, HI, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward
Devin Thomas(2) drives to the basket against UCLA Bruins center Tony Parker (23) during the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
A Fire Inside?
I do not know about you, but at the end of that Wake Forest game, I saw a little bit of fire. The Bruins were in a dog fight that they were not winning, but they did not give up. There was a hint of defense and they kept the tempo, but the thing that stuck out is how mad they got.
The Bruins were emotional and it was a really good sign because it means they were not getting complacent. They seemed angry. They were about to go 1-2 in the Maui Invitational. That is not how they imagined this would go, so emotions arose and they played with a little bit more fire.
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- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
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- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
They had fight and looked a little bit hungrier. Hopefully going forward, as this team does start to come together, they will harness that fight and play some tough, competitive basketball.
Here’s hoping. Go Bruins!