The UCLA basketball team has a chance to show the nation that they are a talented team that can do some damage, but they need to play to their potential during their two-day stop in Las Vegas.
There is no doubt that the UCLA basketball team, albeit young, has a lot of talent. So far this season, the UCLA Bruins (4-0) have shown a lot of promise, but they have also shown that they can fall back into bad habits.
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On Thursday, the Bruins will take part in the Las Vegas Invitational which begins with a battle against the mighty Michigan State Spartans, and will be followed up with a game against the winner of the North Carolina-Texas game.
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With the Bruins playing at home against lesser opponents for their first four games, the competition will indeed take a step up. The thing is, with the Bruins feasting on cupcakes to start the season, (it’s arguable if Long Beach State is a cupcake), they have shown that they still have some weaknesses.
Against LBSU, the Bruins were getting outcoached by Dan Monson, luckily, they were able to “talent” their way to a win. Against Presbyterian this past Monday, the Bruins had a 24-point lead just after halftime, but the Bruins hit the brakes and allowed the Blue Hose back in the game, getting as close as three points before the Bruins got their heads back in the game and finishing them off, 80-65.
On the flipside, we have seen enough from this team to give us hope. Kris Wilkes, is UCLA’s go-to scorer as he has been able to be effective all over the court, he just has to play consistently and good things will happen for him. We have also seen what Moses Brown can do for you. The 7’2 freshman has already made a significant mark and is drawing comparisons to the great Lew Alcindor. In his first three games, he logged a double-double, which the first time a UCLA freshman has ever done that.
Jaylen Hands looks a little bit more stable and in control of this game, but he has to keep working and have his team operating at a high-level and be as mistake-free as possible. The Bruins also need their role players to step up, especially vets like Chris Smith and Prince Ali who have made small contributions this season. And then with the freshman quickly learning the ways of Bruin ball, this can be a very dangerous team, now they just have to prove it.
With UCLA playing in their first big game on Thursday, it is a chance to show the country what they are made of. With the Bruins on a big stage, during a primetime game, against a Top 25 team, the lights will be shining on them and they have to show that they can also shine a light.
This is what this team has been preparing for. If head coach Steve Alford has hope for a successful season, he has to have his team ready, because come Wednesday night, Michigan State will be.