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UCLA Basketball: The Bruins’ role players are rising under Murry Bartow

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Justice Sueing #10 of the California Golden Bears tries to block a shot from Chris Smith #5 of the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Pauley Pavilion on January 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Justice Sueing #10 of the California Golden Bears tries to block a shot from Chris Smith #5 of the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Pauley Pavilion on January 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
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With UCLA basketball interim head coach Murry Bartow mixing things up, the Bruins have found different sources of production to help them in Pac-12 play.

It has been almost a week since Murry Bartow took over as the new head of the UCLA basketball program. After Steve Alford‘s termination, the interim coach has made some simple changes that have helped the Bruins’ production.

RELATED: The Simple Influence fo Murry Bartow

These changes are mind-boggling, not so much because they worked, but because it was something Alford failed to capitalize on.

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The first thing that was noticeable in Bartow’s first game (against Stanford) was the insertion of sophomore Chris Smith into the starting lineup.

In the last season and a half, Smith has come off the bench and played productive minutes as a role player, but it seems as though his work ethic and inability to give up has made him a popular choice at the starting 4-spot.

For the season, Smith has played an average of 23.1 minutes and logged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds. In the last two games, he has played 28.0 minutes and put up 11.0 points and 6.5 rebounds. Not only has his hard work paid off but the Bruins are reaping the benefits of his actions as he has been a big contributor to the team.

The same thing has happened for two other role players, freshmen Jules Bernard and David Singleton. Both were highly touted recruits, but once they got to Westwood, we saw them for less than a half, which is not a lot of time to make an impact. That has changed with Bartow eyeing a new approach.

On average, Bernard has played 14.9 minutes this season, scoring 6.3 points and collecting 3.3 rebounds. Those numbers (aside from the minutes) have also gone up in the last two games: 8.0 points and 3.5 rebounds.

The big surprise came from Singleton, who had only played 16.3 mins, pulling in 4.9 points. Those have gone up to 13.5 points in 21.5 minutes. And it is not just the fact that these players are getting more time, thus allowing them to get more points and boards, it is the way they are playing with the team.

role players such as Smith, Bernard, and Singleton have had more responsibilities put on them and they are not letting the team down.

Another thing you notice with Bartow in charge is that he has no regard for mistakes and will bench a player and/or get in their face for making such a mistake. Because of that, he will instruct substitutes (which are coming in more often) to do his bidding on the court or they will also be susceptible to grabbing some pine.

Because of this need to cycle in more Bruins, the role players such as Smith, Bernard, and Singleton have had more responsibilities put on them and they are not letting the team down. Smith has been consistent as a low-post threat. He is not dominating like Moses Brown, but he is following through with what Bartow asks of him which is bringing stability.

Bernard and Singleton have been able to play a little more freely in Bartow’s system, allowing them to spread their wings and play the way they know they should. In the game against Cal, the Bruins were struggling mightily to start the game. If it wasn’t for the efforts of the freshmen (Singleton scored 13 in the first half and Bernard hit several key three-pointers), then the Bruins could have had a tough time against one of the worst teams in the Pac-12.

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One could argue that if Alford was still in charge, the Bruins might have dropped this game against the Golden Bears with the former coach failing to make adjustments. But with Bartow utilizing every resource at his disposal, the Bruins have become a different team and that is going to make a difference as we get further into the Pac-12 Conference season.