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UCLA Basketball: UCLA Bruins 2015-16 Season Preview

By David Thompson

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UCLA Bruins

2014-2015 Record: 22-14 (11-7, Pac-12)
Postseason: Sweet Sixteen loss in NCAA Tournament

Let’s just be honest; let’s just be real. College basketball is way more fun when the classic “Goliaths” of the sport (Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, etc.) are actually “Goliaths”. I love the “Davids” more than most I’d say, but they are nothing without the Goliath.

And that brings us to UCLA. Since Steve Alford took over for the Bruins they have been building back up to that upper tier of college basketball royalty; a trend UCLA hopes they can keep going.

Newcomers

F– Alex Olesinski
G– Wonder Smith
G – Aaron Holiday
G – Prince Ali
G – Justis Bell-Williams
G– Gabriel Bell-Williams
G – Jonah Bolden
G– Ikenna Okwarabizie

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov. 23-Nov. 25 Maui Invitational – Remember what I was saying about college basketball “Goliaths” up above? How about UCLA, Indiana, Kansas, UNLV, St. Johns, and Wake Forest all being in a preseason tournament together!

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If UCLA can get past UNLV in their first game, they will most likely be facing off against Kansas in the second round which would be an amazing early season contest. Should be fun to see how it all unfolds.

Dec. 3 vs. Kentucky – Now here is where you realize that UCLA has the chance of playing both Kansas and Kentucky in a week and a half. Kentucky will again be a top team in the country, and a solid showing in Maui coupled with knocking off the Wildcats in early December could springboard the Bruins the rest of the season.

Dec. 12 at Gonzaga – How fun is this. UCLA threw the first punch in 2006 that left Gonzaga crying on the mat. Gonzaga returned the favor last season knocking the Bruins out of the tournament. These two are arguably two of the best programs in the West, and on this night we get to see them go head-to-head.

Dec 19 vs. North Carolina – UCLA’s non-conference schedule is so good that I needed to add this bonus game. If UCLA is able to get to Kansas in the Maui Invitational, the Tar Heels will be the fourth preseason Top 10 team the Bruins will face. When Selection Sunday comes around, this tough schedule should benefit UCLA.

Key Players

Bryce Alford – Last season, Alford played a ton, shot a bunch, and essentially had a green light at all times. That light is still green, but this team should be more balanced and the depth is there this season. Hopefully the combination of balance and depth will allow Alford to be more effective and efficient.

Aaron Holiday – The freshman guard will bring a defensive intensity to the Bruins that they were missing last season.

On the offensive end, there will be other teammates who can carry most of the responsibility, but on the defensive end is where Holiday can really contribute.

Coach Steve Alford told CBS Sports earlier this fall that Aaron “can pick you up for 94-feet and cause a lot of problems defensively.”

Season Outlook

This UCLA team may have a few losses heading into conference play, but only because they are scheduling top notch opponents.

I expect this team to be in the Top 25 for most of the season, and to record some nice wins. I also expect them to compete for a Pac-12 championship.

Coach Alford has guided the Bruins to back to back Sweet Sixteen appearances, and this is his deepest team so far. Expect UCLA to be hanging around for a couple weekends in March and April.

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