What UCLA team will show up with Big Ten play beginning next week?

UCLA opens Big Ten play on Wednesday, December 3rd. As they are set to head to Washington to play the Huskies. UCLA is sitting at 5-2 on the season and are not playing very good basketball. Coming off of a disappointing 80-72 loss to the Cal Golden Bears. In a game where the Bruins were 8.5-point favorites. They struggled from the field all night long only shooting 41%. But more in depth it was another poor free throw shooting night that cost them the game at 57%.

It has been talked about a lot. UCLA generally has good free throw shooters. But this year that has not been the case. As they now have three straight games under 68%. That is not winning basketball. They have been able to shore up some areas such as paint defense and controlling the rebounds. But until you put it all together as one. The bits and pieces of each game is not going to lead to wins. These are legit opponents now, not the lower-level schools.

Now with Big Ten play set to begin, what UCLA team are we going to get? Well, we should hope the one that prides itself on defense. Getting out in transition on a turnover or a missed basket. Having teams play to UCLA’s level and not let other teams dictate the flow. That is a way for UCLA to get back on track. Because if they continue the spiral. March Madness dreams could turn into NIT hopefuls. That is not what Bruins basketball is about with their rich history. Defense to offense as seen here is the kickstart that is needed.

UCLA will need star transfer Donovan Dent to pick up his game. He was brought over to be a difference maker, and this is the perfect opportunity for him. A possible return of Tyler Bilodeau will help space the floor and add scoring. Pair that in with the leaps both Eric Dailey Jr. and Trent Perry have made and hope a spark comes from there. The Bruins have the roster, now it’s time to put everything together. Before it becomes too late.