With the Pac-12 releasing the weekly conference match ups for the 2016-17 season, we take a look at the path the UCLA Basketball team must navigate through next season.
This week, the Pac-12 Conference released the weekly pairings for the 2016-17 season and the UCLA Basketball team has an interesting schedule awaiting them.
Related Story: Pac-12 Releases the Weekly Conference Schedule Match Ups
Last season, the Bruins had a very good non-conference schedule, but ran out of gas by the time Pac-12 play started. UCLA ended the conference season 6-12 and in 10th place. That set them up for a first round showdown against USC in the Pac-12 tournament where the Trojans proceeded to wipe the floor with the Bruins in a 95-71 victory, abruptly ending UCLA’s season.
No NCAA bid. No NIT bid. Just an early vacation.
If UCLA hopes to avoid the same outcome, they are going to have to improve in all facets of their game, which includes pacing themselves when Pac-12 play rolls around. With that in mind, let us take a look at the path the Bruins have to take this season and hopefully avoid the pitfalls of the 2015-16 season.
UCLA Basketball’s Weekly Pac-12 Match Ups
UCLA Bruins
Week of December 28-January 1, at Oregon and Oregon State
Week of January 4-8, vs California and Stanford
Week of January 11-15, at Colorado and Utah
Week of January 18-22, vs Arizona and Arizona State
Week of January 25-29, at USC
Week of February 1-5, at Washington and Washington State
Week of February 8-12, vs Oregon and Oregon State
Week of February 15-19, vs USC
Week of February 22-26, at Arizona and Arizona State
Week of March 1-4, vs Washington and Washington State
Next: Schedule Breakdown
The Bruins once again start conference play on the road and it could not be any tougher as they head to the Oregons. UCLA has not had a road sweep in the Steve Alford era and even though we will err on the side of caution with our predictions, we will say that with the talent the Bruins have coming in, they will achieve a road sweep, just not this first weekend. UCLA should be 1-1 after the first week.
Related Story: Let's Forget About Alford...
Then UCLA gets their single game match ups out of the way as they only play Cal, Stanford, Colorado and Utah once this season (the Pac-12 really needs to figure out this glitch). Both pairings happen early in conference play and could be very favorable to UCLA. The Bruins could get the home sweep, but also get their first road sweep in the Alford era visiting the mountain schools. After six games (three weeks), UCLA should be 5-1 in conference.
UCLA then welcomes the Arizonas to Pauley Pavilion and even though I fear for a split, the Bruins have done well at home since Alford took over and will take out the Wildcats and Devils. UCLA should be 7-1.
By this point, UCLA should have good momentum and a fire burning inside when they meet with USC (a team they lost to three times last season) in the fifth week of conference play. UCLA wins. 8-1.
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
The Bruins then travel to the Washingtons where they got swept last season. Though I believe that will not happen again, neither will they sweep. UCLA goes 9-2 after this weekend.
The Oregons then visit Pauley. As much as I hope UCLA can go undefeated in their own home, it will be a difficult task. UCLA splits this and I am not saying who they lose to. 10-3.
UCLA then “welcomes” USC to Pauley and by “welcome” I mean they obliterate their rivals. UCLA is 11-3 after this weekend.
The end of the conference season ends on a tough note… at the Arizona schools. I cannot help to think that there may be a huge road stumble sometime this season and it could be this weekend losing both on the road. 11-5.
After shaking off the Arizona trip, UCLA destroys the Washington schools at Pauley to end conference season with a 13-5 record.
Next: The State of UCLA Basketball
Though it will be a year of improvement, the Bruins have to battle against some very talented Pac-12 teams. If the Bruins are more prepared to enter conference season than they were last year, we will see major improvements for a 1st or 2nd place finish in conference. Go Bruins!