UCLA Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Bruins

Starters

Kris Wilkes

Wilkes is the top returning scorer for the Bruins and will be looked upon to become the go-to scorer for UCLA. He shot 35% from behind the arc last year so he has the ability to stretch defenses and if he can improve on that number he will be even more of a threat. At 6’8″ he is a big guard who can handle the ball and in turn present problems for opposing teams. How he steps up to the main threat will go a long way in how the Bruins season goes.

Jaylen Hands

Hands returns after averaging 9.9 ppg last year but he wasn’t looked to be a top scorer last year. He will be looked to score more this year and he has shown that he is capable He shoots well from the outside and could pose a big threat for the Bruins this year. He started about half their games last year and will probably slide into the starting lineup this year. He is not the biggest guy, so he will mostly play on the outside. Just like Wilkes, if he can improve his three-point shooting the Bruins could be deadly from the outside.

Pince Ali

Ali averaged 9.1 ppg last year and along with Hands will look to take a bigger role in the scoring department for the Bruins. What seems like a team issue, if he can improve his three-point shooting (36%) then it will mean big things for UCLA. Like Hands, Ali is not a big guy but can handle the ball well and make things happen on the break. While Ali will not be looked to be their main scorer he has shown enough to take over a game if needed.

Alex Olesinski

Olesinski played in all 33 games last year but did not start any of them. He did give the Bruins solid minutes when he came off the bench and averaged 4.5 ppg. He is a big guy (6’10” 220 lbs) and with the guard-heavy lineup, Alford will need him to be the guy down low. If the guards produce as they should they won’t need Olesinski to be a scorer but will rely on him more to control the boards and protect the rim.

Moses Brown

Brown is a five-star recruit that the Bruins are very excited about. He is 7’1″ and 245 lbs and could be a force inside. Combine him with Olesinski and they could make life difficult for any team in the paint. He averaged 26 ppg his senior year and looks to be a guy that could dominate. He also averaged 17 rebounds per game and could be the total package for the Bruins. If Wilkes, Hands, and Ali can stretch the defenses with their shooting Brown could become a big-time scorer. This could be the guy that helps get the Bruins to the top of the conference.