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The Go Joe Bruin 2016-17 UCLA Basketball Preview (Men’s)

By Mike Regalado

Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) reacts with guard Isaac Hamilton (10) after making a three pointer during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) reacts with guard Isaac Hamilton (10) after making a three pointer during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) is defended by Southern California Trojans guard Katin Reinhardt (5) during an NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) is defended by Southern California Trojans guard Katin Reinhardt (5) during an NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Schedule

One thing you have to give to Alford credit for is how he schedules tough. It does not always work out for the Bruins, but the games are tough nonetheless.

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 /

The biggest game on the schedule will be at Kentucky. It will be the second of a home-and-home, but will also be the third season in a row the two teams have faced each other. In 2014, UCLA was run off the floor by UK in the CBS Sports Classic, 83-44. Last season at Pauley Pavilion, UCLA shocked the #1 Wildcats in what looked to be a coming out party for the Bruins.

This season, it will be an all out battle with two of the most exciting teams in college hoops squaring off for the first time in Rupp Arena. Other noticeable non-conference games will be against Michigan at Pauley and against Ohio State in Las Vegas in the CBS Sports Classic.

The biggest question mark will be how the Bruins play in the Pac-12. Last season, UCLA was riding high on a 9-4 non -conference record with wins over Kentucky and Gonzaga. Then they ran into a wall that was the Washington schools to start conference play. It did not get much better. UCLA ended their Pac-12 journey 6-12 and in 10th place.

And once again, Alford ended a season without a road sweep. Can things change in 2016-17?

2016-17 UCLA Men’s Basketball Schedule

Tue, Nov 1, 7:30 p.m. vs Master’s University – exhibition (Pac-12)

Fri, Nov 11, 6 p.m. vs Pacific (Pac-12)

Sun, Nov 13, 6 p.m. vs CSUN (Pac-12)

Tue, Nov 17, 8 p.m. vs San Diego (Pac-12)

Sun, Nov 20, 7 p.m. vs Long Beach State (Pac-12)

Wooden Legacy (tournament)

Thu, Nov 24, 8 p.m. vs Portland at Fullerton (ESPN2)

Fti, Niov 25 vs Dayton or Nebraska (ESPN2)

Sun, Niov 27, Final Round (ESPN2)

Wed, Nov 30, 8 p.m. vs UC Riverside (Pac-12)

Sat, Dec 3, 9:30 a.m. at Kentucky (CBS)

Sat, Dec 10, 5 p.m. vs Michigan (ESPN2)

Wed, Dec 14, 7:30 p.m. vs UC Santa Barbara (Pac-12)

Sat, Dec 17, 12 p.m. vs Ohio State (in Las Vegas) (CBS)

Wed, Dec 21, 8 p.m. vs Western Michigan (Pac-12)

Wed, Dec 28, 6 p.m. at Oregon (ESPN2)

Fri, Dec 30, 8 p.m. at Oregon State (Pac-12)

Thu, Jan 5, 6 p.m. vs Cal (ESPN or ESPN2)

Sun, Jan 8, 5 p.m. vs Stanford (FS1)

Thu, Jan 12, 8 p.m. at Colorado (FS1)

Sat, Jan 14, 3 p.m. at Utah (Pac-12)

Thu, Jan 19, 8 p.m. vs Arizona State (FS1)

Sat, Jan 21, 1 p.m. vs Arizona (CBS)

Wed, Jan 25, 8 p.m. at USC (FS1)

Wed, Feb 1, 6 p.m. at Washington State (Pac-12)

Sat, Feb 4, 7:30 p.m. at Washington (Pac-12)

Thu, Feb 9, 7 p.m. vs Oregon (ESPN)

Sun Feb 12, 2 p.m. vs Oregon State (FS1)

Sat, Feb 18, 7 p.m. vs USC (Pac-12)

Thu, Feb 23, 6 p.m. at Arizona State (ESPN or ESPN2)

Sat, Feb 25, TBD at Arizona (ESPN or ESPN2)

Wed, Mar 1, 8 p.m. vs Washington (FS1)

Sat , Mar 4, 6:30 p.m. vs Washington State (ESPNU)

Wed, Mar 8, Pac-12 Tournament Begins

Next: The Keys: Returners, Losses and Recruiting