UCLA falls out of the top 25 in latest polls

UCLA now sits at 7-3 on the season. They were ranked No. 25 when they went to Seattle for a matchup with Gonzaga. After they lost that game, you had to figure their one week run back in the top 25 was over. They did receive votes in the latest AP poll but it wasn’t enough, and they were replaced in that spot. Based on votes, they are around number 29 in the nation right now. A far cry 10 games into the season when there were high expectations. A big win over Arizona State this week would probably push them back into the polls.

UCLA opened the season at No. 12 and then dropped to 15 the following week when the new polls came out. This came after two wins over Eastern Washington and Pepperdine where UCLA were close to 30-point favorites. Neither game did they come close to covering. The Bruins then picked it up a notch over the next four. Although they went 3-1, they played well defensively against No. 1 Arizona. The three wins over West Georgia, Sacramento State and Presbyterian, they played really good basketball.

Then the slip up versus the Cal Golden Bears set them back. What the Bruins are having trouble with is finding consistent basketball. They have the ability to play really good but then will fall back for a game. Then start back up again and have a rough game. The positive is two of their losses are against two of the best teams in the country in Gonzaga and Arizona. The negative is one of their losses was against Cal who they should’ve beat by double digits even without Tyler Bilodeau.

The Bruins have the talent to compete in the Big Ten. They have gotten better with their chemistry on offense and defense. But each of their losses has highlighted one weakness. One game it was free throws and another game it was points off of turnovers. They are one Jaden Bradley three-minute run away from having an upset win on Arizona. Then they hung around most of the night with Gonzaga.