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NCAA Tournament: UCLA Basketball’s Steve Alford Can Prove a Point With a Sweet 16 Win?

By Mike Regalado

Mar 19, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford reacts on the sideline against Cincinnati Bearcats during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford reacts on the sideline against Cincinnati Bearcats during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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UCLA Basketball Head Coach Steve Alford has never been past the Sweet 16, but that could change this post-season with the roster he has put together, but it will not be easy against Kentucky.

If you did not know, UCLA Basketball Head Coach Steve Alford has never been past the Sweet 16, at Iowa, at New Mexico or at UCLA. In nine NCAA Tournament appearances as a head coach, including this season, Alford has been to the Sweet 16 only three times.

This year could be his best chance to move past that round with this special roster he has put together, but it is going to be very difficult with Kentucky in their way.

Before we get into that, let us look at what it is Alford has put together. In his four years, he has had to balance one-and-dones with longevity men. Things came together this season as he finally has depth as well as talent which includes a solid core of veterans mixed with some talented newbies, Lonzo Ball, Ike Anigbogu and TJ Leaf.

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It is quite possibly the best Bruin team Alford has coached, even better than the Kyle Anderson-led 2013-14 team.

The Anderson-led Bruins, which had three first round draft picks, were good, but because of Lonzo Ball, this season’s team could go the farthest.

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But then there is the wrench in the gears. Just when Alford could possibly show off his team in the Elite 8, they run into what should be a very difficult Kentucky team. At this stage of the tournament, every team should be difficult to beat, but Kentucky brings another level of intensity.

The game on Friday will be the fourth time the Bruins and Wildcats meet in the last three seasons. If UCLA can pull off the Sweet 16 win, they will have also pulled off three consecutive victories over Kentucky.

What a way to show the world that the program has returned.

But we are nowhere near that yet. The Bruins made the Sweet 16 and now they have to a re-focus.

Alford has a chance to go the farthest he has ever gone in the tournament and prove he is a better coach than people give him credit for. If he does, then it is onto the next round. He will prove he can make that next step, but then he will need to fight for the Final Four, but we will get to that later.

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If he loses, his reputation as a coach will not change but it might not be pleasant either. There will not be banners over the school, but there will be a vocal few that will not be happy. Either way, the Bruins are not done yet so let’s hope Alford gets them to fight fight fight against Kentucky. Go Bruins!