ASU Men’s Basketball: Preseason Power Rankings
By Trevor Booth
2. UCLA Bruins
Let part two of the “Ball Era” begin.
After an abysmal 15-17 record during the 2016 campaign, the Bruins saw a 13-game swing in their regular season win total last year, led primarily by stellar play from the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-American Lonzo Ball.
Ball, now a Los Angeles Laker, is passing the reins off to his younger brother, LiAngelo, who hopes to play a pivotal role in re-establishing UCLA’s program to the level that it once was during the times of John Wooden and Ben Howland.
Despite losing sharpshooters Isaac Hamilton and Bryce Alford, along with Lonzo and T.J. Leaf to the NBA, the Bruins bring in the No. 5 recruiting class according to ESPN.com, led by five-star prospects in Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes.
After leading the nation in offensive efficiency last year, the athletic and up-tempo style of Hands running the point will keep the fast break of UCLA as lethal as ever.
The Bruins also possess two key returners in seniors Aaron Holiday and Thomas Welsh. As the sixth man last season, Holiday averaged 12.3 points off the bench, providing a spark whenever Ball and Bryce Alford needed a rest. Welsh averaged 10.8 points and 8.7 rebounds as the starting center, receiving All Pac-12 Honorable Mention honors with a mid-range jump-shot that was near-automatic.
Although Steve Alford is coaching his first season at UCLA without his son, Bryce, this team should remain at the top of the Pac-12 standings.