UCLA break up its basketball roster into two groups for a scrimmage Tuesday night, and one factor turned readily obvious.
Both would have overwhelmed final yr’s beginning lineup.
These Bruins are deeper, extra proficient and feistier than the freshman-heavy bunch that completed with a shedding file. Bringing in six veteran transfers actually helped.
A yr after UCLA struggled to shoot, the Bruins confirmed throughout the intrasquad scrimmage inside Pauley Pavilion all of the methods they is perhaps powerful to high. They’ll make a excessive share of three-pointers. They’ll transfer the ball round to discover a high-percentage shot. They’ll lure and power turnovers.
“Our opponents are going to need oxygen,” coach Mick Cronin instructed a couple of hundred donors who gathered to look at the scrimmage, referencing the depth of his workforce and the strain it may well unleash at a second’s discover.
Dylan Andrews
(Jan Kim Lim / UCLA Athletics)
Kobe Johnson and Dylan Andrews of the Blue workforce proved their coach’s level after they trapped Skyy Clark within the opening minutes and compelled a turnover. However after falling behind by 10 factors within the early going, the Gold rallied for a 64-57 victory behind Dominick Harris’ 4 three-pointers and 20 factors.
Harris, a switch from Loyola Marymount, made a deep three-pointer within the first half and held up three fingers, a show that would turn out to be commonplace on his new dwelling courtroom. He additionally confirmed the flexibility to attain in quite a lot of different methods, together with a layup after breaking the full-court press.
“A great weapon because you have to know where he is at all times,” assistant coach Darren Savino stated. “If you don’t find him, he can all of a sudden make three threes and the game has changed.”
Clark added 13 factors and ahead Eric Dailey Jr. 12 for the Gold workforce that additionally included Eric Freeny (eight factors), William Kyle III (six) and Lazar Stefanovic (5).
“We definitely put together a squad this offseason,” stated Dailey, a switch from Oklahoma State. “Everybody brings something to the table at a high level, and that’s what we want to compete for a national championship.”
Sophomore guard Sebastian Mack, who will go from a starter to preventing for taking part in time on a a lot deeper workforce, regarded like somebody who doesn’t intend to step right into a secondary function. He aggressively drove to choose up fouls, made two three-pointers and led the Blue workforce with 15 factors. Tyler Bilodeau scored all of his 13 factors within the first half for the Blue earlier than sitting out the ultimate minutes with obvious cramps.
Lazar Stefanovic
(Jan Kim Lim / UCLA Athletics)
“In the post, if you don’t come with help, he’s going to probably score,” Savino stated. “And then if he plays a bigger spot, if he’s at the five and he stretches the court, you’ve to get out there and guard him because he can shoot.”
Aday Mara, nonetheless recovering from a foot harm, didn’t play however accomplished a collection of workouts on the sideline with new athletic efficiency coach Dave Andrews. Cronin inspired Mara, a 7-foot-3 sophomore who has been attempting so as to add bulk, to indicate off his newfound energy, prompting Mara to flex for a crowd that included Bruins greats Jamaal Wilkes and Mike Warren.
Bilodeau made an early case because the workforce’s most expert offensive participant, the switch from Oregon State scoring his workforce’s first seven factors on a reverse layup, one other layup and a three-pointer whereas falling down. Kyle showcased his athleticism in a blinding sequence within the second half when he elevated for a putback dunk and blocked a hook shot by Devin Williams.
“I feel like we can be the best defensive team in the nation,” Kyle stated.
The Bruins will play a closed scrimmage in opposition to San Diego State on Sunday earlier than dealing with Cal State L.A. in an exhibition recreation Oct. 30 and opening their season in opposition to Rider on Nov. 4 at Pauley Pavilion.
