College Basketball Power 10: Louisville Cardinals Get Statement Win
By Jeremy Karll
2. UCLA (13-0)
UCLA only scoring 82 points in a 14-point win over Western Michigan might be the biggest surprise of the season so far.
It shows how good and well-balanced their offense is. Despite shooting 27.3 percent from three, the Bruins found a way to shoot 50 percent from the field.
UCLA pounded the ball inside to T.J. Leaf, who shot 6-of-11 from the field, and it led to UCLA shooting 61.4 percent from two-point range.
Even though UCLA won by 13 and 14 points in their past two games, they’ve failed to score 90 points in back-to-back games for just the second time this season.
UCLA followed it up with four straight games of at least 97 points last time. Therefore, it’s not a huge concern but it does raise some questions since Pac-12 play is about to begin.
The Bruins shot 50 percent or worse for just the third and fourth time this season and have shot under 32.5 percent for three straight games after only doing so twice in the first 10 games.
UCLA still scores the second-most points in the country, but this could be their rough patch this season and when they’re most susceptible to losing.
Everyone will soon know if UCLA’s poor offensive production in recent weeks is anything to worry about. The Bruins travel to Oregon and Oregon State this week.