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UCLA Basketball: How Much Better Will the Bruins Be in 2016-17?

By Mike Regalado

Feb 14, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) and guard Bryce Alford (20) talk during the game against the Stanford Cardinal in the 2nd half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) and guard Bryce Alford (20) talk during the game against the Stanford Cardinal in the 2nd half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

The UCLA Basketball Defense

Australia was a good barometer for how the season will play out, but once the actually season starts, it will be a brand new ball game.

For this season, If UCLA wants to focus more on defense, they have to get better at on-ball pressure, boxing out and protecting the rim.

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Center Thomas Welsh is the leader down low and a lot will be put on his shoulders. One thing that he needs to focus on is getting stronger to push people around underneath the basket. That will help secure rebounds and could lead to opportunistic transition plays. But Welsh is not alone.

Anigbogu will most certainly be the active force in the front court. He is scary to go up against as he is a proven shot blocker and will redirect shots. He is quite possibly the best defense big man Alford has secured in his tenure at UCLA.

Aaron Holdiay is the best defender at the top of the key. He is aggressive, focused and will help UCLA shut down opponents every time he is on the floor. Isaac Hamilton has also shown flashes of solid defensive awareness and if he can take that to the next level, he will be help Holiday shut guys down in the back court.

"2015-16 Defensive Stats: Scoring – 76.7 ppg (10th in Pac-12), Rebs for – 27.3 rpg, Rebs allowed- 37.1 (10th), Steals – 5.5 spg (6th)"

Unfortunately, there are not many other Bruins that stand out as defensive weapons. That is not bad, but if a few put out the effort, there is absolutely no reason why the defense cannot improve. But if there is no effort, that will kill the Bruins.

What Alford needs to do is get all of his players to put forth that effort. They do not have to shut guys down, they just need to limit their opponent’s production. For example, Bryce Alford allowed opponents to run right past him to the hoop. If he just steps up to the ball, puts a hand up and limits driving/passing lanes, then the defense will be in better shape.