Basketball edition looking back on the 2013 season

The 2013 season marked a new era for Bruins basketball. They brought in Steve Alford after letting go of long-time head coach Ben Howland. They were looking to recharge the program to make it back on top. For a team that last won a championship in 1995 and has such a rich history of making deep March runs. The team was hungry to try and bring the 12th National Championship to the school. Alford had a good track record going 155-52 at New Mexico.

Alford had a good start to his UCLA career as the team went 28-9 in his first season. The team was led by future NBA talent in Zach LaVine, Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson and Norman Powell. With the Wear twins back for another season and Tony Parker to help control the paint. It was a good all-around team that could score the basketball. They averaged 81.2 points per game which was good for 12th in the nation. They also won the Pac-12 tournament and went into March Madness as the No. 4 seed out South

Anderson continued his ascent at the point forward position as he averaged 14.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. Adams was the team leader averaging 17.4 points per game. LaVine was the star recruit that was brought in by Alford, and he played off the bench at 24.4 minutes per night. Averaging 9.4 points on 44.1/37.5/69.1 shooting splits. He was bound for the NBA regardless on how the season went. Adding to the list of one and done players at UCLA over the years.

As was the case many times over the years. UCLA would lose for a fourth time to Florida in March Madness in the Sweet 16. Adams, LaVine, Anderson and the Wear twins would all go on to the NBA after the season. Leaving UCLA with many holes needing to fill for the 2014 season. As their offense would regress mightily but that was to be expected after losing six of your top players. But allowed Powell his opportunity to break out.