NCAA Basketball: 5 biggest disappointments during the non-conference
By Adam Childs
UCLA Bruins
UCLA was picked to finish at the top of Pac-12 with Oregon. They were supposed to have the talent to help save Steve Alford’s job. They were supposed to be better off without the Ball’s around. All of that seems like a distant memory after the way the Bruins have played so far this year.
The Bruins started off the year winning their first four games against overmatched opponents. That was great until they headed out to Las Vegas and were completely outplayed by both Michigan State and North Carolina. They would lose those games by 20 and 16 points respectively.
They would bounce back with three straight wins, but they are currently on a three-game losing streak. Those losses have been to Belmont, a 29 point blowout to Cincinnati and a 14 point loss to Ohio State. The Belmont loss was close but they again have looked outclassed by both Cincinnati and Ohio State.
UCLA sits at just 7-5 and looks to be in real danger of missing the tournament this year. If they fail to make it, Alford will probably be shown the door. Alford was supposed to bring the Bruins back and so far have come up mostly short. This year could be his biggest disappointment so far.