3 Takeaways from UCLA's basketball's victory over Rider

Three takeaways from UCLA's 85-50 win over Rider and reason's to be optimistic for the season.

Outstanding defensive performance, holding Rider to only 50 points, was an impressive start for the Bruins defense. UCLA's defense was solid and played well for most of last season. However, the mild concern entering this season was that the defense would take a step back with more emphasis on improving the offense. This appears not to be a worry as the defense did not take a step back in their season opener, as the Bruins only allowed 23 points in the first half and 27 points in the second half.

The UCLA defense forced 13 Rider turnovers, and the Broncs never had a lead in this game. The Bruins held Rider field goal shooting to only 31.7% and held them to only making five out of twenty shooting from three-point range. UCLA's defense had 45 rebounds, nine blocks, and six steals. This season's opening defensive performance sets a high standard of play for the Bruins this year and the defensive potential for this team this season.

Seven players scored six or more points, balancing the offensive game. Four UCLA players reached double-digit scoring points in Tyler Bilodeau, with 18 figures leading all scorers. Dylan Andrews had 14 points, and Kobe Johnson and Sebastian Mack each had 12 points. Eric Dailey Jr. contributed nine points, and Trent Perry and Lazar Stefanovic each chipped in with six points.

The team's overall depth and offensive versatility are a good sign that this team is more like the 2022–23 team than last season's team. If UCLA's balanced scoring continues throughout the season, it will make it challenging for the Bruins to be defeated in non-conference play, as opponents' game planning to stop one or two players will not necessarily determine if they will be able to slow down UCLA's offense to get the win.

The transfer players' debut in the season opener was strong. Transfers like Bilodeau and Johnson made immediate impacts, contributing significantly to the win. Bilodeua was not perfect, missing all three of his three-point attempts, but besides being the leading scorer for the game, he had six rebounds, two steals, and a block. On top of his 12 points, Johnson had eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Another transfer who contributed was Dailey Jr., who had eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. In his first season in a Bruin uniform, William Kyle III played well defensively, with three blocked shots and five rebounds. Lastly, Skyy Clark, who transferred to UCLA from Louisville, contributed with a team-high seven assists in the win. As talented newcomers have bolstered their roster, UCLA's chances of success this season gives the Bruins good, quality depth to win many games in non-conference play heading into Big Ten conference play.

The best social media posts from the Bruins win over Rider.