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

By Mike Regalado

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)
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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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 17: Gyorgy Goloman
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 17: Gyorgy Goloman /

2016-17 Bench vs 2017-18 Bench

2016-17: Aaron Holiday, Gyorgy Goloman, Ike Anigbogu, Ikenna Okwarabizie

2017-18: Gyorgy Goloman, Prince Ali, Jalen Hill, LiAngelo Ball, Chris Smith, Alex Olesinski, Ikenna Okwarabizie

There are several great factors to having a six-player recruiting class. Other than the fact that the Bruins are bringing in a lot of talent, they are also bringing in a lot of depth and that is going to give the Bruins a very deadly bench.

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Last season, the Bruins were not very deep due to two players leaving before the season (Jonah Bolden and Kobe Parras) and two being injured (Prince Ali and Alex Olesinski). Because of this, they only used three off the bench.

This year, Alford could pick from up to five backups with all the players at his disposal.

Goloman was called on quite a bit and should continue to have a similar role coming off the bench at the PF spot. UCLA also gets the the explosive Ali back. He will give the Bruins good minutes coming off the bench and will be the first choice among the many backup shooters that include LiAngelo Ball and Chris Smith.

UCLA has another exciting freshman who probably would have started if Welsh did not return, though Hill will be a solid weapon anytime he gets in the game. Not only can he score under the rim, but he is a good low post defender, something that he has said that he likes quite a bit. Defense, in any form, is a welcomed sight to this UCLA team.

Advantage: 2017-18 Bench