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UCLA Basketball: How The Bruins Can Improve in 2016-17

By Mike Regalado

Jan 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) gets a high five from head coach Steve Alford as he leaves the game in the second half against the Washington State Cougars Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 83-50. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) gets a high five from head coach Steve Alford as he leaves the game in the second half against the Washington State Cougars Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 83-50. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) celebrates as the UCLA Bruins defeat the Southern Methodist Mustangs 60-59 in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) celebrates as the UCLA Bruins defeat the Southern Methodist Mustangs 60-59 in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Yes, But Can It Work?

Let us say that head UCLA Basketball coach Steve Alford is able to do every single item I touched upon in this article. First off, thank you coach for reading Go Joe Bruin. Secondly, if you have a spot open up on your staff, I am available. Moving on…

If Alford can change what we see in the team next season and we witness average to good improvement, then I feel comfortable making the bold prediction that this Bruin team can be a Top 10 performer. You heard it hear first!

Offense will be stellar, defense does just enough to hold off teams and if the Bruins keep their foot on the gas in every game, then this could be a team that goes far.

But let us be real, it does not seem that Alford can make these great improvements, at least not what might be required to keep his job. I do believe the team will be improved from last year, but technically speaking, 9th place in the Pac-12 is an improvement.

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Next: UCLA Basketball Projected Depth Chart for the 2016-17 Season

Alford is going to have to tear out the foundation from which he laid three years ago and completely reshape it. He is going to be under a microscope from the start of fall practice, so improvements are going to be needed from Day 1. That all starts now.