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NCAA Tournament: UCLA Basketball Needs to Focus, Silence Recent Distractions

By Mike Regalado

Mar 16, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford watches his team practice the day before the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford watches his team practice the day before the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team has to focus on their NCAA Tournament Round of 64 game despite recent events that have been nothing short of a distraction to the players.

When you live in the shadow of Hollywood, drama is always just around the corner. That has been evident by the Hollywood-esque season that has unfolded for the UCLA Basketball team.

The Bruins have had an Oscar-worthy performance this season as they have gone from beat to elite in just one year. During the 2015-16 season, the Bruins were hitting their lowest point in the Steve Alford era with a 15-17 record. That has changed dramatically.

This year, they are the most electric team in the nation behind freshmen Lonzo Ball, TJ Leaf and the core of veterans which has this team playing the best offense in the nation.

Related Story: LaVar Ball Fatigue Syndrome: Do You Have It?

They have been a Top 10 team for the last month of the regular season, are the top scoring and field goal percentage team in the nation and are #3 in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament.

They are a show to behold.

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Unfortunately, recent distractions outside of the team have taken the focus away from the Bruins’ success. Hopefully it does not tae away from their NCAA Tournament performance.

LaVar Ball has brought attention to himself and the UCLA Basketball team. His boisterous approach to the media has gotten him the attention he has desired for his Big Baller Brand, which aims to promote his three sons, UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball and UCLA commits LiAngelo Ball and LaMelo Ball. Positive or negative, Ball just wants the publicity.

Then there are rumors of UCLA Head Coach Steve Alford having “significant interest” in the recently vacant Indiana position. And let us not get into the opinions of several college basketball analyst’s negative takes on the Bruins.

These are things the players do not need rattling around in their brains right now.

Right now, they need to focus on their next opponent, Kent State. If the Bruins win, they move onto the Round of 32. If they lose, UCLA goes home in very disappointing fashion.

This latter is something the team, the school and the fan base can do without.

This is not just one of the best UCLA Basketball teams in the last 22 years, but it is also one of the best teams with the best chances to win a championship… at least according to LaVar Ball.

Despite all of these distractions, and the added attention that the NCAA Tournament brings, the Bruins need to silence the noise. They need to push everything out and focus on the Kent State Golden Flashes.

Next: UCLA vs. Kent State Preview

That is the priority. Beat them and move on. Win or go home. There is nothing else right now.