UCLA Basketball: Comparing last year's squad to this year's

UCLA Basketball: Comparing last year’s squad to this year’s

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UCLA won 76-74. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 24: TJ Leaf /

Power Forward

TJ Leaf vs. Cody Riley

Leaf flew under the radar when he got to UCLA, especially with all the attention Ball was getting. Still, it worked to his advantage as Leaf quietly became the Bruins’ leading scorer last season (16.3 ppg).

Leaf had a keen ability to find the basket anywhere on the court. If he was down low, he would use his elusive moves to put the ball in the basket. But he was also deadly from outside and had the best 3-point shooting percentage among all Bruins that played in at least 30 games (.466). Leaf also had the second-best shooting percentage in the Pac-12 (.617).

Replacing that kind of talent will be hard, but UCLA snagged a player that is going to try and do even better.

Riley is a flat out good. At 6’7″, 200 lbs., RIley has no problem getting around the court, whether he is taking an outside shot or powering his way down low, he will be an excellent replacement for Leaf, but he might need some time to do the damage Leaf did.

Advantage: TJ Leaf