Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA Basketball: Predicting the non-conference record for 2017-18

By Muna Osisioma

February 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Prince Ali (5) moves to the basket against Southern California Trojans 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 Prince Ali (5) moves to the basket against Southern California Trojans during the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
January 8, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) moves the ball as center Thomas Welsh (40) and Stanford Cardinal forward Michael Humphrey (10) and center Josh Sharma (20) trail during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 8, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) moves the ball as center Thomas Welsh (40) and Stanford Cardinal forward Michael Humphrey (10) and center Josh Sharma (20) trail during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

CBE Hall of Fame Classic

Mon, Nov 20, vs. TBD—WIN/LOSS

Tue, Nov 21, vs. TBD—WIN/LOSS

The tournament field for the Hall of Fame Classic includes UCLA, Creighton, Wisconsin and Baylor. The schedule for the Classic has not been set but we are projecting that UCLA will win one and lose one at the tournament. At this point, Creighton has to be considered the favorite
to win the Hall of Fame Classic because they return more key players than anyone else in the field. In addition, Wisconsin is without Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes; UCLA is without Lonzo Ball, TJ Leaf, Ike Anigbogu, Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton; and Baylor is without Johnathan Motley and Ish Wainwright. However, this is a strong field and any of the four teams are capable of coming out on top.

Sun, Nov 26, vs. UC Irvine—WIN

Wed, Nov 29, vs. Cal State Bakersfield—WIN

Sun, Dec 3, vs. Detroit Mercy—WIN

Wed, Dec 6, vs. Montana—WIN

UC Irvine was the Big West 2016-17 regular season champion but missed the NCAA tournament as UC Davis pulled off the upset. Irvine lost a lot of key seniors from that team and will take a step back in 2017-18. Bakersfield made some noise in the 2016-17 NIT but also lost a lot of seniors. Montana is coming off a 16-16 season and is undersized, and Detroit Mercy will be looking to improve on an 8-23 season. Expect UCLA to handle all four teams at home while the team continues to build cohesion as they head into the toughest part of their non-conference schedule.