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UCLA Basketball: A look back before analyzing the 2023-24 season

By Ryan Kay

Dec 20, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of seat cushions at the the Sports Arena with the words: UCLA Basketball 2011-2013 Road Show before the game against the UC Irvine Anteaters. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of seat cushions at the the Sports Arena with the words: UCLA Basketball 2011-2013 Road Show before the game against the UC Irvine Anteaters. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 18: UCLA Bruins basketballs are seen ahead of the game against the California Golden Bears at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on February 18, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 18: UCLA Bruins basketballs are seen ahead of the game against the California Golden Bears at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on February 18, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

Going back to the 2012-13 season, with the exception of the 2015-16 season, the Bruins overall have had success on the basketball court.

2017-18: This team went 21-12 overall and 11-7 in the Pac-12. They won two games that season against teams ranked in the top 15 but they unfortunately got upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by No. 11 seed St. Bonaventure. Even though they lost very early in the tournament, the Bruins had a strong regular season defeating USC twice that year.

2016-17: This team went 31-5 overall and 15-3 in the Pac-12. They won the Pac-12 regular season title and made it to the Sweet 16, where they lost to Kentucky. Even though they didn’t make it to the Elite Eight, the Bruins had an amazing regular season winning the Wooden Legacy championship tournament, defeating No. 1 ranked Kentucky on the road, and beating No. 4 ranked Arizona on the road as well.

2015-16: This team by far had the worst season on the court in recent history as the Bruins finished 15-17 and 6-12 in Pac-12 play. However, in non-conference play they beat No. 1 ranked Kentucky and defeated No. 20 ranked Gonzaga on the road.

2014-15: This team went 22-14 overall and 11-7 in the Pac-12. That season was highlighted by defeating USC three times and upsetting No. 6 seed SMU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. They made it to the Sweet 16 that season and they were defeated by Gonzaga.

2013-14: They went 28-9 overall and 12-6 in the Pac-12. They started the season 8-0 with them capturing the Las Vegas Invitational title. They in conference play swept USC and came in second play in the regular season standings. The Bruins defeated No. 4 ranked Arizona to capture the Pac-12 tournament title. UCLA made it to the Sweet Sixteen, where they lost to Florida.

2012-13: This team went 25-10 overall and 13-5 in the Pac-12. The Bruins in non-conference play had victories over Georgia, Texas, and No. 7 ranked Missouri. UCLA won the Pac-12 regular season title that included three wins over ranked Arizona. The Bruins, unfortunately, lost to Minnesota by 20 points in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Head Coach Ben Howland was fired after 10 seasons as the head coach of the Bruins following the disappointing NCAA Tournament loss.

Having looked back at these past seasons of UCLA basketball, with the exception of two seasons, the Bruins have proven to be very consistent in making the NCAA tournament and finishing in the top four of the PAC-12 regular season standing. Even though fans and alums have uncertainty and not much confidence that UCLA will compete for a conference title and make another Sweet Sixteen run in 2024, history has proven that their chances are better than most people think.

An early look at the 2023 football schedule. dark. Next