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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 /
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Feb 25, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) celebrates after scoring agains the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at McKale Center. UCLA won 77-72. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) celebrates after scoring agains the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at McKale Center. UCLA won 77-72. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

Sat, Dec 9, vs. Michigan—WIN

Last season, UCLA handled Michigan at Pauley Pavilion. Michigan continued to improve and made a run to the Sweet 16 before losing to an Oregon team that made the Final Four. Although big man Moritz Wagner chose to return to Ann Arbor for his junior year, Michigan has other questions on their roster. Graduate transfer Jaron Simmons will help shore up the backcourt but UCLA has the more touted team and should prevail.

Sat, Dec16, vs. Cincinnati—WIN

In 2016-17, Cincinnati had one of the top defenses in the country and rode it to a 30-6 record. Under Mick Cronin, they play a rugged brand of basketball and hang their hats on defense. 2017 won’t be any different and they will be looking to avenge their NCAA tournament ouster at UCLA’s hand. It will be a closely contested game but UCLA basketball will come out on top.

Tue, Dec 19, vs. South Dakota—WIN

With Kentucky looming, the game against South Dakota is the proverbial trap game. The Coyotes return nearly everyone on a team  that went 22-12, won the Summit League regular season title and narrowly missed the NCAA tournament. Adding salt to the wounds is the fact that they lost to South Dakota State in the Summit Tournament finals. This all adds up to a motivated South Dakota squad with experience on their side. UCLA has to stay focused to avoid an upset here.

Sat, Dec 23, vs. Kentucky—LOSS

No one brings in star recruits like Kentucky’s coach John Calipari. He heads into 2017-18 with another number one class and the pressure that comes with that. However, UCLA basketball has proven that they can beat Kentucky doing it both at home and on the road. In spite of UCLA basketball’s recent successes against them, Kentucky got the last laugh in 2016-17 ending UCLA’s season in the Sweet 16. Both teams will be integrating new key pieces in 2017-18 but Calipari and his staff are more experienced at plugging in talented freshmen. This gives Kentucky the advantage in this early season matchup.

Next: UCLA Basketball releases non-conference schedule for 2017-18

The game against Kentucky completes the non-conference schedule and we predict that UCLA will have an 11-2 record heading into Pac-12 Conference play.