Coming into Saturday’s UCLA-Kentucky game, it seemed like everyone who follows the sport predicted a similar outcome.
To most, UCLA was a nice story, the cute West Coast team that had beaten up on mostly overmatched competition thus far. What would happen when the Bruins faced Kentucky? How would they handle the No. 1 team in the country, a roster loaded with another group of dynamic freshmen and experienced upperclassmen? Sure, they had been good so far. But could they hold up? And was there any substance on the Bruins’ roster outside of heavily hyped freshman point guard Lonzo Ball?
Well, if there was any doubt, America got a resounding “yes” Saturday at Rupp Arena. The Bruins went to Kentucky and walked out with a 97-92 victory over the No. 1 team in the country. In the process, they left little doubt who the better team was, and also made another statement altogether: In a season where everyone assumed the road to the title went through Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, or maybe one or two other teams, you have to consider UCLA in the title conversation.
Yes, the Bruins are that good. They are national championship contenders.
Any doubts about that were removed at Rupp. The Bruins didn’t “dominate from start to finish,” but after Kentucky had its chances early, UCLA took control for the final half and left little doubt late who was the best team. The Bruins outrebounded the ‘Cats, outshot them (making 10 3-pointers compared to UK’s eight), and seemingly got to every loose ball and made every hustle play for the final 15 or so minutes. Frankly, the final score was a little misleading. UCLA was better than its margin of victory.
Maybe best of all for coach Steve Alford and his team, is that the victory came on a day where the super-freshman Ball didn’t play his best game. He stepped up late (finishing with 14 points and seven assists) but also turned the ball over six times and never really got into the rhythm we’ve seen this season. But with Ball struggling, the Bruins proved they are much more than one player.
Overall, six Bruins finished in double-figures (the same number who are averaging double-figures on the season) and virtually everyone who saw the court did something to contribute. T.J. Leaf was the big breakout star, finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Fellow freshman Ike Anigbogu – who has been limited after undergoing knee surgery a few months back – stepped up, too, finishing with six points and six boards while controlling the paint before fouling out. Aaron Holiday led the offense early and Thomas Welsh closed it with a couple shots late. This was a “team win.”
There’s a long way to go, and no this one win doesn’t guarantee UCLA anything. But it is a major step in the right direction. It also has to leave the Bruins feeling confident: If they can go to Rupp Arena and beat the No. 1 team in the country, who can’t they match up with?
