UCLA Basketball: 3 takeaways from overtime win at Arizona State

1. A key to UCLA’s success last year, Cody Riley had a career performance against ASU

It is no secret that a crucial cog in UCLA’s turnaround season last year was the flourishment of Cody Riley, who, after recording single-digits in all eight games in January – where the Bruins went 4-4 – scored double-figures six times in February in games where UCLA went 5-1.

Implemented into the starting lineup this year, Riley has been streaky with his production, tallying double-digits in six of UCLA’s 10 games – but none was more impressive than his showing against the Sun Devils.  After just scoring over 20 points once in his career – a 21-point performance in December 2019 against Denver – Riley poured in 22 points (8-11 2PT, 6-8 FT) to go with 13 rebounds against Arizona State.

Riley has been sharing minutes, mostly, with Jalen Hill, who has not nearly been as effective since returning from a season-opening injury – and Riley has undoubtedly taken advantage of the opportunity.  He has been involved in 25.3% of UCLA’s possessions this season and has taken 22.3% of their shots while in – and the big man is currently recording averages of 8.9 ppg and 5.0 rpg.

His play inside was crucial to UCLA outrebounding the Sun Devils, 46-42 – as well as just barely trailing in points in the paint, where Arizona State held a 40-38 edge.  Likewise, his 8-11 performance inside made up for the lackluster inside play of his fellow starters, who were a combined 7-23 on two-pointers – and, from the charity stripe, were 8-16 compared to Riley’s 6-8 mark.

UCLA typically maintains an offensively balanced roster – they feature five double-digit scorers, including the injured Chris Smith. Likewise, two players – Riley and Hill – average 8.9 and 8.4 points, respectively.  But if the Bruins are having an off-night, it is crucial that they have a go-to guy who can produce – and Riley, on a shorthanded UCLA squad, has proven that – on the road, no less.