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UCLA Basketball: The men’s team 2017-18 season preview

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins applauds during a timeout in the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion on January 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins applauds during a timeout in the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion on January 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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2. Roster and Projected Lineups

Number Name Position Ht. Wt. Year
 0 Alex Olesinski F 6’10” 220 R-So.
2 Cody Riley F 6’10” 260 Fr.
3 Aaron Holiday G 6’1″ 185 Jr.
 4 Jaylen Hands G 6’3″ 215 Fr.
5 Chris Smith  G 6’9″ 200 Fr.
10 Isaac Wulff G 6’3″ 180 So.
13 Kris Wilkes F 6’8″ 195  Fr.
14 Gyorgy Goloman F 6’11” 225 Sr.
15 LiAngelo Ball G 6’3″ 215 Fr.
21 Alec Wulff G 6’3″ 190 Sr.
22 Armani Dodson G 6’5″ 200 So.
23 Prince Ali G 6’3″ 190 R-So.
24 Jalen Hill C 6’10” 230 Fr.
30 Joseph Wallace G 6’2″ 185 Fr.
34 Ikenna Okwarabizie C 6’9″ 255 Sr.
40 Thomas Welsh C 7’0″ 255 Sr.

Projected Lineups

Starters: Holiday, Hands, Wilkes, Goloman, Welsh

Bench: Ali, Ball, Goloman, Hill, Olesinski, Okwarabizie, Riley, Smith

This is the deepest team Steve Alford has had since taking over four years ago. This gives him a lot of variation to work with, which means several lineups to use.

What is going to be interesting is the fact that the UCLA Basketball team will have has two very good point guards and both of them will most likely start. Holiday has the experience, but Hands also has the talent to lead on his own. What we will most likely see is both Holiday and Hands sharing the ball to start and switching off as games progress.

UCLA has three shooting guards and all of they project to come of first the bench. Ali should be the first to check and could be used in some point guard situations if needed (foul trouble, injury), but will most likely get the most time at the 2 spot.

Ball and Smith can play the 2 or 3 spot, but the small forward position will mostly be handled by Wilkes, who is already getting recognition. He was one of two Bruins named to a preseason watch list, specifically the Juluis Erving Award, given to the top small forward in country.

Riley and Goloman could be a toss up to start at power forward. Goloman has made progress in his game the last few seasons and will most likely start. Riley has more raw talent, but may need to get aclimated to the team before he battles for a starting spot. Olesinski is another option to play PF, though his minutes depend on his development in the off-season.

Welsh will be a three-year starting center in 2017-18. Last year he developed his mid-range baseline jumper and looks to add another weapon to his cache as it has been reported that he is also developing a three point shot. Hill will add some power off the bench as well as some much needed defense. Okwarabizie should see few minutes off the bench as a center.