Basketball edition looking back on the 2017 season

The 2017 UCLA basketball team took a step back from 2016. But that was expected with Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf each leaving for the NBA. The two dynamic freshmen became part of many that go one and done at UCLA. Steve Alford was looking to build on a great 2016 regular season, but ended in disappointment in the Sweet 16. UCLA had a great offense, they averaged 81.2 points per game. Good for 33rd in the country. Their 76 points per game given up however was 270th in the nation.

Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands were the two freshmen that were brought in to make an impact. Wilkes averaged 13.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while Hands averaged 9.9 points and 4 rebounds per game. Providing a scoring boost to the team. Aaron Holiday had his breakout season as he led the team averaging 20.3 points per game to go along with 5.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds. Senior Thomas Welsh pushed himself into the 2018 NBA Draft with a senior season averaging 12.6 points and 10.8 rebounds.

UCLA ultimately finished the season 21-12 and they were a disappointing First Four loss to St. Bonaventure to make the tournament. After an 11-3 start, they would go 10-9 the rest of the way. Failing to replicate any sort of success the 2016 team had. Leaving Alford with another disappointing season at the helm. This would put him on the hot seat for the 2018 season with something needing to happen quickly.

Aaron Holiday and Thomas Welsh each left for the NBA after the season. Leaving Alford in a tough position, as he saw many players over the last two years go to the NBA. With only one Sweet 16 appearance to show. The fan base and school were getting restless. The offseason would include a pretty good recruiting class featuring Moses Brown and Jules Bernard. But the damage was done, and no future was seen, and UCLA would relieve Alford shortly after the 2018 started.