Almost 5 minutes had elapsed within the second half when Lazar Stefanovic took a go from Skyy Clark within the nook and rose for a three-pointer that prolonged UCLA’s large lead in its season opener.
Having barely performed to that time, it was Stefanovic’s first shot of the sport.
Maybe nothing higher illustrated the Bruins’ offseason makeover than the mainstay from a yr in the past being relegated to a bit participant as a part of this new ensemble solid.
UCLA guard Kobe Johnson, proper, steals the ball from Rider guard T.J. Weeks Jr. within the first half Monday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
Stefanovic didn’t must play a starring position given the abundance of expertise round him. Kobe Johnson, who took his spot within the beginning lineup, was a two-way drive together with his scoring, passing and energetic protection. Tyler Bilodeau confirmed his dazzling offensive ability set with 10 factors in a five-minute flash to begin the second half. William Kyle III acquired the group going with three blocks.
It was a pleasurable introduction for a brand new and vastly improved workforce Monday night time at Pauley Pavilion, No. 22 UCLA rolling to an 85-50 victory over Rider.
A yr after his workforce struggled to attain on the best way to a shedding report, Bruins coach Mick Cronin watched a number of newcomers have little bother placing the ball within the basket. Bilodeau scored 10 of his 18 factors within the second half to guide 4 gamers in double-figure scoring. Johnson added 12 factors after repeatedly driving for layups, Dylan Andrews made two three-pointers on the best way to 14 factors and Sebastian Mack added 12 factors to go together with his trademark grit off the bench.
“We don’t need anybody to try to do too much on this team,” Cronin stated, “because if you just get some execution, you get some ball movement, you’ve got guys who can shoot the ball in the basket or go by their man and make a play.”
Stefanovic contributed six factors in his 17 minutes, making two three-pointers. Equally vital was his willingness to encourage teammates when he wasn’t within the recreation.
“For him to be able to take a step back and kind of take a different role with this team, it’s just amazing to see him do that,” Johnson stated. “He’s got one of the best attitudes I’ve been around. So, that’s really huge for this team for people to unfortunately lose some of their playing time, or some of their minutes, and still have a great attitude, come practice every day, wanting to work and get better. I mean, that’s what’s going to make this team great, people like that.”
UCLA guard Trent Perry is fouled by Rider ahead Tank Byard, proper, as he’s double- teamed by guard T.J. Weeks Jr. within the first half Monday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
The Bruins gained simply on an evening when Clark, anticipated to be one among their main scorers, acquired in early foul bother and scored simply three factors on one-for-five taking pictures.
The problem going through Rider was evident within the opening minutes. Bilodeau stole a go on the Broncs’ second possession, resulting in an Eric Dailey Jr. driving layup for the sport’s first factors. After the Bruins picked up full-court defensively, Johnson and Andrews ultimately trapped Tyriek Weeks, resulting in a Johnson steal and one other Dailey layup.
Rider ahead Tariq Ingraham then threw a cross-court go out of bounds and Clark quickly got here up with a steal within the backcourt. Lower than 4 minutes into the sport, the Broncs had 4 turnovers and had been trailing 10-3.
UCLA compelled 11 of Rider’s 14 turnovers within the first half on the best way to a 41-23 benefit earlier than calling off the stress after halftime to deal with half-court protection. The Bruins completed with 52 deflections — outlined as steals, blocks, tipped passes or free balls collected — to simply exceed the minimal of 40 that Cronin needs in a recreation.
“I think we showed that we could turn teams over a whole lot,” Johnson stated, “and create offense from that.”
T.J. Weeks Jr. scored 15 factors to guide Rider, which shot simply 32.3% however considerably offset its inaccuracy with 18 offensive rebounds resulting in 13 second-chance factors.
“We’ve really got to work on blocking out,” stated Cronin, whose workforce gained the rebounding battle, 45-38. “We knew that that was going to be an issue with this team tonight, and for us when Eric Dailey’s out of the game, our rebounding struggles.”
A part of which may have been attributable to Cronin going together with his small beginning lineup that featured Bilodeau and Dailey as the large males — massive, on this case, being relative since they’re 6-feet-9 and 6-8, respectively — alongside guards Andrews, Clark and Johnson to fight a workforce that he knew would unfold his gamers out.
Cronin supersized his lineup later within the half when Aday Mara, a 7-3 sophomore, entered the sport and shortly made his gargantuan presence felt. The middle blocked three pictures — together with a mid-range jumper — and was a favourite goal of teammates for passes within the paint. Mack discovered Mara for a dunk and Johnson drove and dished to Mara, resulting in a foul on the Broncs as Mara went up for a shot.
One participant who didn’t get into the sport till UCLA was forward by 25 factors was Dominick Harris, a switch from Loyola Marymount who was anticipated so as to add three-point taking pictures after rating No. 3 within the nation final season by making 44.8% of his pictures from lengthy vary.
Harris missed his solely three-pointer Monday however grabbed 4 rebounds and performed pretty energetic protection in his seven minutes.
Minutes might be exhausting to come back by regardless of a participant’s pedigree. Cronin stated sophomore forwards Brandon Williams and Devin Williams (no relation) would redshirt and freshman guard Eric Freeny was considering an analogous destiny.
“There are not enough minutes on this team,” Cronin stated.
But when Monday was any indication, there might be much more wins than final season.
