College Basketball Power 10: Big 12 Continues To Dominate
By Jeremy Karll
4. UCLA (18-1)
UCLA’s high-powered offense returned in their 104-89 win at Colorado. Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton combined for 57 points and Aaron Holiday chipped in 14 points off the bench in 29 minutes.
It reminded everyone why UCLA was considered the best team in the nation earlier in the year. Their offense hasn’t been as consistent in recent weeks, but it’s still just as a talented and deadly when they’re hitting from deep.
Then later in the week, UCLA won a hard-fought 83-82 game at Utah. The Utes played UCLA tough the whole way, as they even held a 73-69 lead with 5:14 left in the game.
Lonzo Ball stepped up as a facilitator for UCLA and recorded three points and three assists in the final 5:30.
It’s fitting that Ball dominated the end of the game considering he stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, eight assists, six rebounds and five steals while playing all 40 minutes.
When Ball is playing well, the Bruins are evidently a much better team. He continues to show why many people think he’s the top prospect in the 2017 NBA Draft and the potential Wooden Award winner.
UCLA has disappeared a little over the past couple of weeks, but they’re still a high-powered offense loaded with talent. The spotlight might go back on them this week, though, with games at home against Arizona State and Arizona.