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UCLA Basketball: The Bruins are thoroughly embarrassed by USC

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Head coach Murry Bartow of the UCLA Bruins on the sideline during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Pauley Pavilion on January 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Head coach Murry Bartow of the UCLA Bruins on the sideline during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Pauley Pavilion on January 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA basketball team has had some tough losses this year, though most came before Steve Alford was fired. On Saturday, the Bruins had their most embarrassing yet as they fell to USC.

It was ugly. That is all you need to know about the UCLA basketball team and their bludgeoning at the hands of USC, a team that has been severely hit by injuries and suspensions.

The Trojans deserved to win this. From thoroughly outplaying, outhustling and outclassing the Bruins, USC got the well-deserved win. Congratulations to them.

As for UCLA, it is time to reevaluate.

The unfortunate thing is that this was closer than it appeared, at least up until the second half. Though it was a sloppy output by both teams before halftime, UCLA kept it close with USC, trailing 36-33 at the break. But then the second half occurred. At least it did for the Trojans as they went on a 35-14 run in the first 15 minutes after halftime.

At one point, the Trojans were up by 28 points as they were patient and capitalized on every Bruin mistake, which was a lot. UCLA had 20 turnovers in this game. They shot 40.8% from the field, 22.7% from behind the arc, and 33.3% from the charity stripe.

It was bad, but it wasn’t just the fact that they were missing shots, its how they were missing shots.

Again, UCLA was playing selfishly. On offense, the Bruins were not rotating, not looking for the extra pass and taking bad shot selections early in the shot clock. On defense, well, there was no defense. Still. There were more than a handful of times USC shot the ball uncontested or drove the lane untouched. Whatever the Trojans wanted, they got.

It was as if Alford never left.

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One thing is for sure, the way the Bruins are playing right now will surely prevent them from winning the Pac-12, let alone make the NCAA Tournament. At this point, the only thing UCLA fans have to look forward to is the hiring of their next coach.