Freshmen make impact for UCLA
PHOENIX — UCLA coach Steve Alford brought in a stellar rec rui t i ng cl ass to bl end with the returning starters, a group that was expected to lead the Bruins at least back to the NCAA Tournament.
So far, UCLA has been even better than expected.
L e d by d o - e v e r y t h i n g freshman point guard Lonzo Ball, UCLA climbed to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 last week and should stay there after turning a close game against Michigan into a second-half rout on Saturday.
“As long as we defend, who knows what the limit is,” Ball said after the win against Michigan.
“We’re going for a championship this year, that’s our goal, and we don’t expect to lose.”
The 6-foot-6 Ball has been superb so far this season, running UCLA’s offffffffffffense with the confifidence and ease of someone much older. He averages 15 points, assists and 5.2 rebounds per game, while allowing Bryce Alford the freedom to play offff the ball.
Fellow freshman TJ Leaf has provided a big lift, averaging 17.6 points and 9. 3 rebounds, and the Bruins have six players scoring in double fifigures.
UCLA (10-0) got off to a slow start against Michigan at Pauley Pavilion, but ran away from the Wolverines in the second half by making 12 of 16 shots. UCLA shot 62 percent overall, hit 15 3-pointers and had 23 assists to eight turnovers.
“That’s how special offffffffffffensively this team is,” Steve A l f o r d s a i d . I t ’s b e e n , through 10 games, as close to a phenomenal offffffffffffense as I can think of in my career as far as a team.”
Villanova survives: Villanova almost stumbled in its fifirst game as the No. 1-ranked team in the AP Top 25 this season.
The Wildcats 10-0) struggled against Notre Dame (9-1), trailing by up to 11 points. Josh Hart saved the Wildcats.
Already a front-runner for national player of the year, the senior carried Villanova almost by himself, scoring a career-high 37 points in the 74-66 win .
“He’s as good as any player in the country is and he’s so complete,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said.
Gael fail: Saint Mary’s was a trendy pick to make a deep
tournament run and climbed to No. 12 in the AP poll last week.
The Gaels (6-1) could take a big fall this week after losing 65-51 at home to Texas-Arlington, a loss that could hurt their chances for an at-large bid in March.