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UCLA Basketball: Can Next Season’s Freshman Save Steve Alford

By Brian Canup

Jan 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford in the first half of the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford in the first half of the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team is bringing in a Top 5 freshman class next year, but will it be enough to turn around what is currently a bad situation with Head Coach Steve Alford and the Bruins?

To be honest, this season was and is a tough season for UCLA basketball fans. We’ve had highlights, such as beating then #1 Kentucky (now #20), #7 Arizona (now #23) and #20 Gonzaga (now unranked), yet we have had some truly horrendous moments. Losing to Monmouth, Wake Forrest, Washington State and USC twice.

Yet there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel (specifically for next season), and they are a group of 4 terrific recruits. Is this truly the end of inconsistency and embarrassment or is this just a mirage?

Lets take a short look at the skill sets these players provide and how that can help salvage year 4 of Alford’s tenure.

TJ Leaf

TJ Leaf is a 6’10 ~ 200 pound power forward who has a fantastic skill set. He has the ability to hit mid range jumpers, similar to Thomas Welsh. The threat of having a big man being able to hit a jump shot can help stretch out a defense.

Lonzo Ball

Lonzo is a unique player. He can score but has a funky shot, which leads to a level of inconsistency. However, his elite passing and vision of the court is the talent that makes him the #1 point guard on the West Coast. Steve Alford will be lucky (if he plays him over Bryce) to have him in his arsenal.

Ike Anigbogu

Ike is a 6’10, 240 pound center who is a defensive minded player. This is a player who fits the mold of classic Ben Howland Final Four team player. This is a welcomed change of pace from the painfully obvious lack of defensive intensity (aside from Aaron Holiday).

Kobe Paras

The 6’5, 190 pound Small Forward from Cathedral High School is an interesting prospect. He did not play in his senior year, but offers an athletic, scoring wing player for Alford to utilize. Paras needs to work on his defensive effort to become a major player, but he has all the tools there to be a solid Pac-12 level player.

How They Will Impact Alford’s Career

Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Prince Ali (5) dunks the ball against Kentucky Wildcats forward Alex Poythress (22) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Prince Ali (5) dunks the ball against Kentucky Wildcats forward Alex Poythress (22) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Personally, I am excited to see these kids compete next season. With this class coming in, the Bruins have a chance to make a deep run in March 2017.

But the question of long term sustainability still remains. Unfortunately, I think this class will somewhat be like putting lipstick on a pig. There are so many underlying issues with the program that incorporating a run and gun team that can outscore the competition can not fix.

Poor offensive game plans and horrendous defensive effort will not be changed by this recruiting class. Coach Steve Alford will have to show that he can motivate his team day in and day out to avoid loses like Washington State in order for the program to truly be fixed.

Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

I would love to be wrong and for Coach Alford to turn around the direction of this program. Even with the talent that is being infused into the lineup, it seems highly unlikely the freshman will truly save Alford’s job at UCLA