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UCLA Basketball: The Talent is There, But What About the Coaching from Steve Alford?

By Mike Regalado

Feb 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford on the sidelines against the Utah Utes during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford on the sidelines against the Utah Utes during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Roster Management

The addition of three talented freshmen will help the Bruins this season, but it does not guarantee improvement. Lonzo Ball, T.J. Leaf and Ike Anigbogu bring a lot of talent, but will they be used to their potential? So far, yes.

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UCLA Basketball fans were able to sample the Bruins during a 3-game tour of Australia. UCLA continued their uptempo style and had some notable improvements, especially with frosh Ball facilitating the offense.

The coach also made a good move by having Bryce Alford play on the wing. The senior guard was able to move around and create his shot without the added responsibility of ball handling.

Alford mixed and mached different lineups down under, which is fine for a exhibition games, but come the regular season, he is going to have to have a set lineup as well as accommodate for the depth.

He is also going to have to balance the roster until SG Prince Ali returns from a meniscus tear which could have him out until early December. Alford will have to balance four scholarship guards (three of which might start) with six big men. Occasionally they will need to go big. Will Alford still push the pace or does he have a plan to slow things down for the big men?

Related Story: UCLA Basketball 2017 Scholarship and Potential Depth Chart

Defense?

Going back to the Australian tour, the flow of the offense was noticeable and will be good, but a glaring weakness was still the defense (or lack thereof). Most defensive plays were due to individual effort by the likes of Anigbogu, Aaron Holiday and Isaac Hamilton, and not due to a defensive overhaul.

The Bruins still played too far off the ball, hands were not up and no one seems to want to step in and draw a charge.

From what is projected, this is not going to be a defensive team, though they should improve. The unfortunate part is that with the offense they possess, these Bruins could dominate if Alford stresses tougher defense.