The UCLA basketball team found themselves ranked in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 as they come in at #21 to start the 2018-19 season.
There is a lot of excitement with this latest edition of UCLA basketball as the Bruns have brought in a Top 5 recruiting class as well as the return of Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes.
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The talent on this team, although hampered by injuries in the off-season, has many analysts believing that the Bruins will make some noise this season. Not only were they picked to finish second in the Pac-12, but today they were ranked 21st in the AP’s Top 25 poll.
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UCLA head coach Steve Alford has had to remold this team after losing key players from last season. The Bruins will be without their top two go-to players as Aaron Holiday and Thomas Welsh are now gracing the NBA with their presence. Luckily, he was able to bring in a some very talented freshman which includes 5-star C Moses Brown, 4-star PG Tyger Campbell, SG David Singleton, SG Jules Bernard, PF Shareef O’Neal, and 3-star C Kenny Nwuba.
Unfortunately, the rotation took a hit in the last few weeks as it was announced that O’Neal and Campbell will be out for the season due to a heart condition and a torn ACL, respectively. On top of that, the Bruins will be without reserve PF Alex Olesinski for a few months due to a foot injury.
Still, the Bruins possess a plethora of talent with the players that remain healthy on this team. With the return of Hands and Wilkes, both of whom tested the waters of the NBA Draft last spring, UCLA brings some consistency into the season and will be competitive this season as Alford will have a solid 8-man rotation.
As for the rest of the Pac-12, Oregon is ranked above UCLA at #14. Washington came in at #25 will Arizona, USC and ASU were outside the poll, yet received votes.
UCLA returns to Pauley Pavilion this Saturday, October 27 when they face the NYIT in an exhibition game. The Bruins officially begin their season on November 6 against Purdue Fort Wayne.