UCLA Basketball: Bruins avoid trap game in Tempe against ASU

By Carmine Carcieri | Feb 23, 2017

Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) controls the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA basketball improved to 25-3 overall and 12-3 in Pac-12 play with a win over Arizona State.

UCLA’s trek to Tempe to play an Arizona State team that is in the lower half of the Pac-12 standings could’ve resulted in a classic trap game, especially given the fact that Steve Alford’s team has the Arizona Wildcats to look forward to on Saturday.

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Instead, the Bruins came to play on Thursday evening and defeated the Sun Devils with relative ease, 87-75 despite a so-so night from their best player Lonzo Ball.

The freshman guard suffered an ankle injury late in the first half and struggled to score the ball for a majority of the evening (just four points). However, as usual, Ball affected the game in numerous different ways as he grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out five assists.

With Ball shooting just 2-of-6 and clearly not feeling 100 percent, UCLA’s offensive balance came into play. They took a massive advantage of Arizona State’s lack of size with T.J. Leaf scoring 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting, Thomas Welsh scoring eight points and grabbing 11 rebounds and Ike Anigbogu putting up 12 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting.

While they held a significant advantage inside, the Bruins still hit seven threes and shot 49 percent from the field overall. Aaron Holiday was terrific off the bench, as one of the best sixth men in the country contributed 17 points, including 4-of-7 three-pointers. Bryce Alford shot just 3-of-10 but added 15 points and six assists.

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The Sun Devils competed for 40 minutes and actually cut UCLA’s lead down to one with 15:21 to go in the game. Torian Graham (28 points) was sensational and Bobby Hurley’s unit played with more aggressiveness and competitiveness on defense than I’ve seen from the team all season long.

However, Arizona State didn’t make their first substitution until the 13-minute mark of the second half and their undersized front court had a large impact on the result of the game.

Without enough depth and bodies, you’re going to eventually wear down against a Bruins team that wants to score in transition and run you into the ground. Add in the fact that ASU gave up 17 offensive rebounds (how can you give the best offensive team in the country second chances to score!?), and it’s obvious why the Bruins were able to pull away in the end.

Now, the real question for UCLA comes on Saturday: Can they knock off Arizona on the road and remain in the hunt for the Pac-12 regular season title? The Bruins currently sit in third place in the standings, trailing the Wildcats by two whole games. That means Saturday is a must-win while UCLA will have to hope for some help from the second-place Oregon Ducks (Dana Altman’s team has to lose at Stanford).

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But even if they don’t win the regular season title, UCLA is still a title contender. Their defense remains a question mark and a concern, but their offense is so ridiculously good that it makes putting the ball in the basket look so effortless. They are nearly impossible to prepare for during the regular season, nevermind on one day of rest with the pressure of the NCAA Tournament on your back. Buckle up Los Angeles, it might be one heck of a ride.

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