UCLA will need more from their bench on offense in their matchup against UCONN

UCLA has battled inconsistency from their bench play this season. Often nights getting zero production from their second unit. They have also shown signs of getting some players stepping up. Such as the move of Xavier Booker to the bench when Skyy Clark returned from his injury. But with Tyler Bilodeau battling injury, Booker was inserted back into the starting lineup. Taking away that production that he was giving off of the bench.

In their round of 64 game against UCF. The Bruins only got five points from their bench, which was one 3-pointer from Jamar Brown and a bucket from Steven Jamerson II. Eric Freeny and Brandon Williams played good defensive minutes off of the bench. But went a combined 0-3 in 26 minutes for zero points. Leading to concerns about the depth of UCLA moving forward.

It will be very integral that UCLA gets back Bilodeau for the UCONN game. They will need all of the scoring that they can get from this team. Booker played very well in the starting lineup versus UCF. The hope is that he can move back to the bench and keep that type of production. As UCLA cannot play their starters 38-40 minutes and expect success deep into the tournament. We have seen so many teams run out of gas as the NCAA tournament goes along.

The positive is the bench has shown their moments. Mick Cronin has been able to adjust as the season has gone deeper. The first 90% of the season it was inconsistent every night. Now with Clark back in the lineup and hopefully Bilodeau coming back. We can move back to seeing this team succeed as a starting lineup, as well as get a jolt of energy off of the bench. Most likely coming in the form of Booker. Who can score in spurts as well as provide shot blocking.