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UCLA Basketball: Bruins vs. the Pac-12 Preview

By Mike Regalado

December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) dunks to score a basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) dunks to score a basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pac-12 Preview, Cont.

Getting back to beating Utah and Washington, if UCLA pulls out a win against one of these teams, it will be the first time Steve Alford has gotten a conference road sweep in his tenure at UCLA. It is possible he gets all four, but I could easily see him getting two.

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As for defending the home court, except for last season, the Bruins have been very good at winning at home. That should get back to normal this season with this team stepping onto Nell and John Wooden Court. Yes, I am predicting UCLA stays perfect at home.

As for the legitimate contenders, Oregon, Arizona and USC will all be gunning for the Bruins and are the biggest threats in conference. So with my prediction of staying perfect at home, UCLA’s games at these three opponent’s home arenas will be very important to watch as these three games could result in losses for UCLA.

But that brings me to my last point: USC. With the Trojans beating, pardon…, embarrassing UCLA three times last season, I expect the Bruins to come out against the Trojans with guns a-blazin’. That is right, two wins over USC this season and a possible third in the Pac-12 tournament. The Bruins will be that hungry for wins agsint their crosstown rival.

I still stand by a 14-4 conference record prediction, but could also see UCLA winning the Pac-12 with a 16-2 record. And yes, I can see the Bruins going undefeated, but I will reserve caution after what the Bruins did last season. They need to prove they can handle the slings and arrows of outrageous Pac-12 play before trying to go perfect in conference.

Next: Though Perfect, the Bruins Have a Few Things They Need to Fix

Improved, definitely. But enough to go 18-0 in the Pac-12? That might be too optimistic.