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UCLA Basketball: The 10 best games of the Steve Alford era

By Mike Regalado

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 24: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins looks on in the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 24, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 24: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins looks on in the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 24, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 03: Thomas Welsh #40 and TJ Leaf #22 of the UCLA Bruins defend against De’Aaron Fox #0 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half of the game at Rupp Arena on December 3, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. UCLA defeated Kentucky 97-92. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 03: Thomas Welsh #40 and TJ Leaf #22 of the UCLA Bruins defend against De’Aaron Fox #0 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half of the game at Rupp Arena on December 3, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. UCLA defeated Kentucky 97-92. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. December 3, 2016 at #1 Kentucky 97-92

#10 UCLA had faced Kentucky when they were not exactly an elite squad. Two years before, the Wildcats brutalized the Bruins in an 88-47 victory.

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The next season, UCLA somehow managed to pull off a miracle at Pauley Pavilion as they took down #1 Kentucky. Both were teams that were not exactly striking fear into the hearts of their opponents. But then came the 2016-17 season.

This team that was led by Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf was different. They had the talent, attitude and style, but they were about to enter the lion’s den.

UCLA was on the second part of their home-and-home with Kentucky as the series shifted to Lexington, KY. Kentucky was looking for some payback after getting embarrassed in Westwood the year before, but it was not as easy as though might have thought.

Ball, who ended up having a fantastic season with UCLA, struggled a little bit in this game, but have no fear, Leaf was there. The other stud freshman took the team on his back and chipped 17 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Isaac Hamilton also contributed with 19 points. It was spectacular if you were a Bruin fan. It was utterly horrible if you were a Wildcat fan.

Not only did UCLA embarrass UK on their home court, they broke their 42-game home win streak. On top of that, 97 was the most points a Calipari-led Kentucky team had ever given up. Sure UCLA only won by five points, but it was the effort that counted and helped lead to Alford winning 3 out of five games against Calipari in four seasons.

Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

Once again, this is not a drill… STEVE ALFORD OWNS JOHN CALIPARI!