Go Joe Bruin
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UCLA Basketball and The Future

By Mike Regalado

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February 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) moves to the basket against Southern California Trojans guard Elijah Stewart (30) during the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) moves to the basket against Southern California Trojans guard Elijah Stewart (30) during the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

A Top Recruiting Class Can’t Save A Program

The good news going into next year is that UCLA Basketball has a Top 5 recruiting class coming in. PG Lonzo Ball, PF T.J. Leaf, C Ike Anigbogu and SG Kobe Paras are all expected to not only particapte, but raise the level of UCLA Basketball. That is where problems arise.

Though certain players have the ability to improve the quality of a program, it is absurd to think that they can save it. Let us look at Alford’s first team as an example, which was clearly his best squad to date.

January 5, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard/forward Kyle Anderson (5) moves the ball up court against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 5, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard/forward Kyle Anderson (5) moves the ball up court against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Alford inherited Ben Howland recruits Kyle Anderson, Jordan Adams and Zach LaVine who added to a core of veteran players Norman Powell, David Wear, Travis Wear and Tony Parker. It was a solid roster that ran through several teams. Things looked promising early in the season until the Bruins were actually tested.

UCLA was put in their place by teams like Missouri and Duke and even lost several close games in conference where they had the advantage. Though the Bruins made it to the Sweet Sixteen (against cupcakes like Tulsa and Stephen F. Austin), the true nature of the Bruins was revealed in a 79-68 beating by Florida.

Why do I bring this up? Seeing as the Bruins return the majority of their roster in 2016-17 and adding four newcomers, it is hard to see UCLA Basketball rising to elite status next season.

An example of this is Cal (not to rub them wrong way) as they had two fantastic freshmen this year, Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb, and were only 4th in the Pac-12 with a semifinal Pac-12 Tournament loss. It does not matter how much talent you have, if their is no coaching or elite leadership, the program will not do much.

Next: Elite or Bust