UCLA defense is starting to defend at a high level

The UCLA defense is continuing to get better as each game goes by. The guys are communicating better, and the rotations seem to be more crisp. It also helps that they are now playing with their main starting lineup. The Oregon game marked the first time that they have had that group for back-to-back games to start. Consistency is a big part of basketball and having so many rotating pieces can throw things off. You want your starting five in as many games as possible to keep rhythm.

Mick Cronin has always stressed defense in his teams. UCLA did not start out the season well as they allowed lower-level teams to get easy looks. As Eastern Washington and Pepperdine had way too many wide-open opportunities against the Bruins. But the team tightened up against Arizona and Presbyterian before falling back against the Cal Golden Bears. The offense will be there, but the defense will be the calling card to this team succeeding.

The Big Ten is grueling, there is no way around it. Michigan State, Michigan and Purdue are all top 10. Then Illinois and Nebraska are also ranked with other teams on the cusp of the top 25. So, there will be nights where the shots are not falling. Defense can win you a game or two in a situation where a win seems impossible. Force long jumpers and protect the paint and let your defense lead to offense in transition. That is where UCLA can be dangerous.

UCLA is a very talented team. They are a veteran team as well. You had to know that they would figure things out together. It seems to be clicking and now the next test will be against a great Gonzaga team. If they can somehow come out with the win in that game. It could be a huge confidence booster for them. They will need to continue their defensive prowess that they showed in the Oregon game where guys were all over the floor and switching perfectly. It will be imperative as the Zags are one of the best offenses in the nation, averaging 92.9 points per game.