National Basketball Association

UCLA Preview-Capsule

Published Oct. 26, 2018 11:02 a.m. ET

Last season: 21-12, lost to St. Bonaventure in First Four of NCAA Tournament.

Nickname: Bruins.

Coach: Steve Alford.

Conference: Pac-12.

Who's gone: Guard Aaron Holiday (NBA), forward G.G. Goloman, center Thomas Welsh (NBA).

Who's back: Guards Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes and forward Cody Riley withdrew their names from NBA draft consideration to return. Hands started 15 of 33 games as a freshman and with Holiday gone he will run the show offensively. Hands ranked fourth on the team in scoring (9.9 points) and second in assists and steals. He shot 37 percent from 3-point range and 40 percent from the floor. Wilkes started 32 games in his first season and his 13.7-point average was second on the team. Redshirt freshmen Riley and forward-center Jalen Hill are seeking redemption after being suspended all of last season for shoplifting in China during the season-opening trip.

Who's new: Center Moses Brown stands 7-foot-1 and averaged 26 points, 17 rebounds and 6 blocks last season at Archbishop Molloy High in New York. Two other touted recruits will sit out the season because of injury. Guard Tyger Campbell sustained an ACL tear in his left knee at practice. He averaged 15.5 points and 7.2 assists as a senior at La Lumiere School in Indiana. Forward Shareef O'Neal needs surgery for an unspecified heart condition. The son of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal averaged 27 points last season at Crossroads High in nearby Santa Monica. Guards Jules Bernard and David Singleton were part of the top-five recruiting class and could push for playing time.

The Skinny: The Bruins don't have a senior on the roster for the first time since 2010. Eight of their players are 6-8 or taller. Alford has been a solid recruiter and gotten his teams to the NCAA Tournament, but entering his sixth season in Westwood he's still looking for a Pac-12 regular-season title.

Expectations: Las Vegas oddsmakers have UCLA as a 35-1 shot to win the NCAA Tournament, along with Michigan and Michigan State. The Bruins won the last of their record 11 national championships in 1995.