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UCLA Basketball: Bruins have no answer for the hungry Colorado Buffaloes

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Head Coach Steve Alford of UCLA Men's Baskeball speaks to the media during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion on November 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Team members LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill have been suspended from the team after allegedly shoplifting while on a school trip to China. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Head Coach Steve Alford of UCLA Men's Baskeball speaks to the media during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion on November 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Team members LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill have been suspended from the team after allegedly shoplifting while on a school trip to China. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA basketball team relied too heavily on outside shots that weren’t falling in their loss to Colorado. The Buffs took advantage of the Bruins that had no answer for the anything the visitors put up.

Last night, the UCLA basketball found out what happens when their bread and butter falls on the floor. They get beaten up at home to a team they should have defeated with their eyes closed. So why did this not happen? Several reasons.

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The Bruins have been living (and now dying) by the outside shot. In their last two games against Cal and Utah, the Bruins shot 58.2% (56.7% from the arc) and 51.8% (52.2% from the arc, respectively. It is a feat that has given the majority of the team a ton of confidence. Unfortunately, UCLA seems to be putting all their eggs in this basket as they tried and failed to do that against Colorado.

Against the Buffaloes, the Bruins shot 37.1% from the field and 20.0% from behind the three-point line. To make matters worse, free throws, which have been an issue with the Bruins, once again failed the blue and gold. UCLA only made 8 out of the 18 (44.4%). Think about that. If UCLA made all of their free throws, they would have won this game by one point.

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Surprisingly, the Bruins’ defense did a decent job, especially in the second half which sparked a 10-0 UCLA run. Unfortunately, the lack of baskets late kept UCLA out of this one.

Nothing was falling for UCLA and the worse part is that there was no backup plan. No chance of moving the ball around, no chance of getting an inside game, no chance to win.

There was also not a lot of help from the younger players or even veteran Aaron Holiday, who has been the spark for UCLA this season. He finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 turnovers. It was that kind of game.

Thomas Welsh was the one bright spot for the Bruins as he nearly captured his 11th double-double of the season with 20 points and 8 rebounds. Welsh made a crucial three-pointer with just over five minutes left to bring UCLA to within four points as the score showed 55-51.

Unfortunately, the Bruins lacked the killer instinct in this game to capitalize on the momentum. Instead, Colorado answered Welsh’s three with a few runs of their own to end the game and just like that, UCLA’s sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 is gone. The Bruins are now a half a game behind Arizona.

Simply, Colorado wanted it more.

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Losing at home is bad, especially for a team that needs all the wins they can get with a depth-depleted team. It is not that they lost, but the manner in which they lost. When the shots are falling, obviously there are no worries to be had. But if (and when) UCLA has another poor shooting game, they are going to suffer and so are Bruin fans.