NCAA Basketball: North Carolina, Gonzaga still sit atop updated top 25 ranking

8. UCLA (2-0)

Now two seasons removed from that magical run to the Final Four, UCLA is still a program in fantastic shape, both now and for the future. A few key names from recent seasons may be gone, but Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell remain stars for the Bruins. This team is expected to compete at the top of the Pac-12, hopefully reclaiming the conference crown after Arizona’s surprise emergence last season.

The season got started off without much drama on opening night, with a 76-50 win at home over Sacramento State. Jaylen Clark was outstanding, accumulating 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 steals in the win. On Friday, the Bruins took care of Long Beach State 93-69, with Campbell’s 18-point effort leading the way this time, giving them a second drama-free win over a local mid-major.

This opening week of competition doesn’t tell us much about UCLA, but their defense has looked pretty solid in the opening stretch. It’s almost silly to dive into the metrics of these first two wins, but their defensive efficiency numbers were impressive, as was the long-range shooting on opening night. Jaquez and Campbell are going to score points and facilitate this offense, and we’ll get a big chance to see that on display come Friday night when they take on Illinois.