UCLA Basketball: 3 takeaways from Bruins last-second loss to USC

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 06: Tahj Eaddy #2 of the USC Trojans makes a 3 point basket over Jaylen Clark #0 of the UCLA Bruins at the buzzer to win the game 64-63 at Pauley Pavilion on March 6, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

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Jaime Jaquez Jr. UCLA Basketball (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

2. In another area of inconsistency, the Bruins have not capitalized on freebies

UCLA’s lack of offense during USC’s late-game run can be traced to the Bruins’ failure to capitalize on free opportunities at the charity stripe – in something that, just like late-runs, has plagued UCLA as of late.

Against USC, the Bruins were just 6-11 from the free-throw line – a 54.5% clip. The Trojans were, by no means, stellar either, considering they shot an abysmal 10-20 (50.0%) on freebies. But UCLA actually won this game from the floor, courtesy of one more made three-pointer – meaning the Trojans won this game at the free-throw line.

UCLA’s lack of reliance on the charity stripe has been a trend across the regular season. In Pac-12 play, the Bruins rank eighth in free-throw attempts at 16.3, while sitting one spot lower in ninth in free-throws made with 11.8. But their last seven games – which included a four-game winning streak, followed by the three-game losing streak – showcase UCLA’s inconsistency at the line.

Take the four-game winning streak for example – against Utah, Arizona State, Arizona, and Washington, the Bruins recorded FT clips of 3-4, 19-23, 6-9, and a woeful 6-18, respectively. Across the three-game losing streak, UCLA has maintained marks of 14-19 at Colorado, 6-7 at Oregon, and, now, 6-11 against USC.

UCLA’s inconsistency in getting to the free-throw line – and even making free-throws – has become an issue, particularly during this losing streak. Their woes at the charity stripe came to a head against USC, where both Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Jules Bernard were sent to the line in the final minute of play – and both missed the first shot of a one-and-one.

Those misses led to extra USC possessions, with Jaquez Jr.’s miss leading to a UCLA foul on the subsequent possession, which USC registered a made three-throw on – and Bernard’s miss, ultimately, leading to the possession where Eaddy drained the game-winning bucket.

Those errors did not necessarily trouble the Bruins during their winning streak – but now, it is creating massive issues. The inconsistencies could be enough to doom this team in late-game situations during March Madness, just as it did against the Trojans.

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