UCLA is better than expected

The defeat to the Kansas Jayhalks was an obvious heartbreak to students and the Bruin fans worldwide. The game was officially a loss in the record books, yet the performance could be considered a step up for the basketball team. The UCLA Men’s Bruins basketball team was considered a 17-point underdog before tip-off. None of the national sport networks picked UCLA to win the game. Everyone thought that the bruins would get run off the court. People were claiming a blow out by halftime.

Reminder: At UCLA, champions are born here! At least that is what my shirt says. There are positive things that the team could take away from the hard loss.

Tyler Honeycutt went off for 33 points in route to being the leading scorer. First year player Josh Smith scored 17 points and 13 rebounds, his best game to date. Smith was bumping and bruising Kansas’ big men all night. Finally reflecting the huge hype behind his recruitment. The bruins did more than just keep up with the number 4 team in the country; they showed everyone that they are a force to deal with.  It was sad to see a game come to down to a call by a referee. Games are supposed to be won by the players on the court and coach’s games plans, not a referee with an overacting whistle. With five seconds left in the game the Bruins tied the game and it looked like it would go to overtime. The next play resulted in Malcolm Lee fouling Kansas’ Mario Little as he set to try to avoid overtime. Following a discussion with the scorer’s table, the referees said to put 0.7 seconds back on the clock and gave Little two free throws. To be fair, if there is contact on a play referees should make the call. However, during close games the officials let the players play. The team showed its defense is getting better and almost reflecting a Ben Howland style D. The team has offensive player that are getting better. By the time March comes around, we can expect to see the Bruins in something called the NCAA tournament. The game was a loss but the nation now sees that the powerhouse in basketball is on its way back.

The next games scheduled for the bruins:
12/11 CP 8:00pm
12/13 UCD 10:30pm
12/18 BYU 5:30pm
12/21 MTST 10:30pm

Don’t forget that this year the UCLA student’s Den Pass includes all the UCLA b-ball home games! Lets go support the team as they begin to mesh and show their skills.