The 2015 season would see the Bruins regress even more from 2013 which was Steve Alford’s first season. With Norman Powell and Kevon Looney now gone to the NBA. They struggled heavily on defense without those two. Giving up 76.7 points per game ranking 285th in the nation and most of their wins would come in a shootout. The offense was there as they put up 77.5 points per game. Led by Isaac Hamilton at 16.8 points per game and Bryce Alford at 16.1 points per game.
The Bruins went 15-17 on the year. They did have a nice little five game winning streak after starting 3-3 to get to 8-3 and move to No. 22 in the nation. Unfortunately, from that point on they would go 7-14 and not come close to the top 25 again. Losing five straight games to close out the season including a 95-71 loss to USC in the Pac-12 tournament. UCLA would’ve needed to pull out a miracle in the conference tournament to make March Madness. The positive on the season was a cool upset of Arizona in front of UCLA alum Russell Westbrook.
Thunder summer league assistant coach Bryce Alford had one of the coldest game winners on Russell Westbrook night at UCLA. I will never forget it. pic.twitter.com/hiJXMh7ch5
— Shai Gilgreatness-Alexander (@Jhickness9) July 4, 2025
The team did see some potential in Aaron Holiday and Thomas Welsh. Both showing that they could be good pieces the following season coming back. Holiday was a freshman guard that averaged 10.3 points per game and could defend. Welsh played sparingly his freshman year but got more of an opportunity his sophomore year. Averaging 11.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game on the season, being a solid low post option.
Most of this team would come back for the next season. One player that graduated out was Tony Parker who averaged 12.6 points and 8.5 rebounds. But his production would be replaced by incoming freshman TJ Leaf in 2016. This 2015 season was a season to forget under Alford. The defense didn’t ever really look engaged despite having a good offense most nights that could shoot the basketball.