Countdown to the NCAA Season: JNixon’s Top 32 Teams in College Hoops (#32)

Hey guys, I’m gonna do my own personal breakdowns of my projected top 32 teams in college hoops in 2014-2015. Team and player breakdowns, I’ve been watching games and doing a lot of research for this, so if you agree or disagree on things, just let me know. Lets get to it!

#32: UCLA Bruins

Perimeter- The Bruins lost a highly productive all-around player in oversized lead guard in Kyle Anderson, a big-time scorer in Jordan Adams, and also lost one of the most exciting guards to watch last season in their ultra-athletic 6th man Zach LaVine. All 3 were 1st round NBA selections in 2014. They do return some nice talent to their guard core though. The projected starter at PG this season for the Bruins is likely to be 6’2 180 Soph Bryce Alford. He is head coach Steve Alford’s son, and he is a good shooter at the lead guard spot and also a fairly shifty player with decent quickness, body control and ball-handling ability. Alford generally takes what the defense gives him in terms of when to look to score and kick, though he seems to be more comfortable as a scorer. Much like Zach Lavine, Alford faded down the stretch last season and needs to look to get stronger. Alford also lacks great leaping skills and struggles to get to the rim and finish. Still he had a solid Fr. season as the backup PG and showed he has the talent to develop into a good lead guard at this level, especially if he becomes efficient as a scorer inside the 3-point line. Alford likely will be spelled by 6’5 Soph Isaac Hamilton, who also may start on the wing. Hamilton is considered to be a combo guard, and will have to see time at both guard spots next season. After having to sit out last season after voiding a LOI from UTEP in 2013, Hamilton should be all set after practicing with the Bruins last season and garnering some pretty high ratings as a HS player. Hamilton has nice size at guard, and is a smooth player with a few good moves off the dribble and a nice mid-range game. He likes to create his own shots but is an alright passer and can chip in on the glass too. Hamilton does need to get stronger (only 180 lbs) and tougher, and show that he’s improved on his tendency to settle for jump shots. The biggest thing though is that he shows he can defend with more effort, something he has been criticized for at times. His scoring punch will be welcomed though. The likely best player in this group is Sr. wing Norman Powell, who is looking to cap off what has been a great summer for him. Powell seemingly progresses nicely every season, and with a strong season this year he might be a 1st round selection. Powell is a 6’4 200 wing with a long wingspan and some good athletic ability. He has received praise this summer at the Adidas Nations Camp for his ability to defend and slash. Powell is physically strong and very smart, which allows him to defend any perimeter spot in college, and come up with very well-timed forays to the rim where he is a very impressive finisher for a 6’4 wing (53% FG in 13-14). He has a very nice 1st step and covers alot of ground. He seems like a hard worker. Powell will have to become a more confident shooter to really be as effective as possible though, as he is not a knockdown shooter right now and teams will try to make him take more jumpers to slow down his effectiveness. Powell should be a 1st Team All-Pac 12 type player in this upcoming season. This group takes a hit if Australian Fr. Jonah Bolden remains ineligible for the season, as he is a long 6’9 player who can stretch the floor better than just about anyone on their roster. Last minute addition of Sr. Colorado State transfer Jon Octeus was very clutch for UCLA. Octeus is a promising talent who was a high level player in the MWC (13 ppg, almost 5 rpg and 2 apg) figures to see time at both guard spots as well. Octeus is a thin, bunch scoring 6’4 guard with good length, quicks, and bouncy leaping skills. He is a long strider who is good at getting shots up in the mid-range and at the rim. He’s not a deadeye shooter or the most efficient decision maker when it comes to shots, and he’s more of a scorer than a true combo guard. He does fit well though, especially considering his aggressive slashing style and the fact that he can find ways to the rim will make him a welcomed compliment to UCLA’s other 3 guards. They have strong talent in their 4 main wing contributors and Powell and Alford both can emerge as team leaders.

 Frontline- The Wear twins’ experience, floor-spacing and finesse will be missed next season. The most experienced returning player (7 ppg and 4 rpg in 13-14) is underachieving Jr. PF/C Tony Parker, who has all the opportunities to emerge this season. If he does not emerge it is mostly his own doing at this stage, as he has had 2 seasons to adjust to the speed of the college game. Parker is a wide and long 6’9 265 lb body with plenty of potential. He possesses light feet and a natural touch around the rim, and also the type of hands coaches love from a big man prospect. He shot 60% last season, and shows nice natural talent as a player around the basket. Still, Parker is very soft in comparison to his measurables and is much more of a finesse player than he should be, especially considering he’s 265 and shown little as a player operating away from the basket. Parker struggles defensively and is not as good a rebounder as he should be, because he is not a swift player and also is not a particularly physical guy either. His lack of toughness and savvy has hurt his ability to play extended time in college so far, as has his conditioning. This is an important season for him, and he really needs to step up. If he doesn’t then 2 of UCLA’s touted Fr. will have to make immediate impacts, and they have the talent to do so. 7 footer Thomas Welch is a guy who gained a lot of fanfare late in his HS career and is a late bloomer with good skills. He is a solid rebounder and he has a solid groundwork of moves already on the post. He’s pretty smart and unselfish. Welch needs to get stronger and he isn’t a top notch athlete, but he has good size and can really continue to fill out over the next few months. He will push Tony Parker and could overtake him if Parker hasn’t grown up. Also in the fold at the PF spot is 5-star 2014 signee Kevon Looney, who could also push for a starting spot immediately. Looney is a very long, sleek 6’8 player who has the skill set of an energetic matchup ploy. He is a feisty competitor who skills are behind his athleticism and effort. Looney has added about 15 lbs to his frame since HS and will look to add a little more. He needs to work on his face-up game a bit more, but his style of play with get him on the floor for a UCLA team that needs toughness. Also figuring to fight for minutes in the rotation is rSoph. Wannah Bail. Bail is 6’9 and is a powerful leaper with a massive wingspan, but his skill level is low as is his feel for the game. Raw 6’10 Fr. Gyorgy Golomon needs more weight strength before he can take advantage of his Euro skill set, and likely wont factor into the teams rotation barring surprise. He’s barely 200 lbs. UCLA has tons of size on their team and really look to throw bodies at teams next season.

Overall: Steve Alford is a solid coach who really can recruit his butt off. His teams aren’t the most tough, but they are free-flowing and fun to watch due to his offenses. This year’s UCLA team has good talent, and they really could be the #2 team in the Pac-12 after all of their lost contributors from last season. The backcourt has good versatility and the frontline has a good mix of role players factoring in how many strengths are in the unit individually. Will be interesting to see how some of their young guys develop, as the bigs they picked up in the 2014 class are pretty promising and have a lot of size. I think this UCLA team is a sleeper to be a tough team in the Pac 12 next season. The pickup of Octeus for his last season is an under the radar move that really increases the Bruins backcourt depth. They would’ve had a 3 guard rotation without him. Look for UCLA to be a 2nd round and out tourney team.