UCLA’s Lackluster Victory Over Eastern Washington Mirrors a Nation Divided: A Team Struggling to Find Its Identity Amidst High Expectations and Underwhelming Performances in a Chaotic Landscape of College Basketball
UCLA’s season opener against Eastern Washington showcased the stark contrast between expectations and reality in college basketball. Ranked 12th nationally, the Bruins entered the game with aspirations of being a dominant force, yet their performance left much to be desired. The victory, a narrow 80-74 win, was marred by defensive lapses and offensive stagnation, raising questions about the team’s readiness for the challenges ahead.
The Bruins’ defense was particularly concerning, as they struggled to contain Eastern Washington’s offensive efforts. The Eagles, representing the Big Sky Conference, capitalized on UCLA’s weaknesses, shooting an impressive 53.7% from the field. This statistic is alarming for a program that prides itself on defensive prowess. The inability to secure the paint allowed Eastern Washington to score easy baskets, undermining UCLA’s efforts to establish control in the game.
UCLA’s offense also faced significant challenges. Long stretches of scoreless play plagued the Bruins, with moments of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency. Transfer point guard Donovan Dent, who was expected to be a key contributor, had flashes of brilliance, scoring 21 points and dishing out nine assists. However, even he had a regrettable moment when he missed a breakaway dunk, a symbol of the team’s overall struggle to find rhythm and cohesion.
The absence of forward Eric Dailey Jr. due to a knee injury further complicated matters for UCLA. His presence is crucial for the team’s depth and versatility, and his absence was felt throughout the game. Jamar Brown, stepping into the starting lineup, contributed modestly with five points and five rebounds, but the Bruins lacked the firepower and defensive tenacity that Dailey typically brings to the court.
The game was also a reminder of the unpredictable nature of college basketball. Eastern Washington, missing key player Andrew Cook due to a season-ending injury, put forth a valiant effort, even taking a brief lead during the first half. This highlights the competitive landscape of college basketball, where any team can pose a threat, regardless of their conference affiliation or perceived talent level.
The matchup between UCLA and Eastern Washington was likely arranged as a favor to Eagles coach Dan Monson, a friend of Bruins head coach Mick Cronin. However, Cronin might have reconsidered the wisdom of scheduling such a game after witnessing his team struggle against a seemingly overmatched opponent. The Bruins were outhustled at times, failing to effectively attack Eastern Washington’s zone defense, which led to frustration among players and fans alike.
As the game progressed, UCLA’s reliance on Dent became evident. His ability to create plays and score was a lifeline for the Bruins, allowing them to regain the lead and ultimately secure the win. However, relying heavily on one player is not a sustainable strategy for a team with championship aspirations. The Bruins need to develop a more balanced offensive approach and improve their defensive communication to avoid similar struggles in future games.
The broader implications of this performance extend beyond the game itself. UCLA’s struggles reflect a larger narrative in college basketball, where teams are grappling with the challenges of roster turnover, injuries, and the pressure of high expectations. As programs adapt to the evolving landscape of college athletics, including the impact of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, the quest for consistency and identity becomes increasingly complex.
The Bruins’ victory, while ultimately a positive outcome, serves as a wake-up call. The team must address its shortcomings and find a way to elevate its performance as the season progresses. With a challenging schedule ahead, including matchups against higher-ranked opponents, UCLA cannot afford to continue playing at a subpar level. The road to success in college basketball is fraught with obstacles, and the Bruins must navigate these challenges with resilience and determination.
As the season unfolds, the question remains: can UCLA harness its talent and potential to become the powerhouse it aspires to be? The answer lies in their ability to learn from this lackluster performance and adapt to the demands of a competitive landscape. The stakes are high, and the journey is just beginning.
Sometimes you just have to take the win and move on.
That was the position UCLA found itself in Monday night during its season opener, the 12th-ranked Bruins hardly looking like an unstoppable power against a team from the Big Sky Conference.
UCLA’s defense kept getting beat around the basket. Its offense endured long scoreless stretches.
Even transfer point guard Donovan Dent, for all his brilliance, had a regrettable moment, missing a breakaway dunk.
But the only takeaway that mattered was the final score.
Read more:How UCLA’s Mick Cronin lured Donovan Dent in pursuit of a banner season
UCLA avoided massive disappointment by holding on for an 80-74 victory at Pauley Pavilion over Eastern Washington, which had closed to within single digits in the final minutes.
Dent unveiled an impressive array of moves in his UCLA debut, including a no-look pass leading to a Xavier Booker dunk and an ability to change speeds that left defenders baffled. Dent finished with 21 points and nine assists to lead five Bruins in double figures scoring.
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half and was joined in double figures by Booker (14 points, seven rebounds), Trent Perry (11 points) and Skyy Clark (10).
If UCLA looked like an incomplete team, it might have been partly because it was missing forward Eric Dailey Jr., who continues to round into form from a knee injury. Jamar Brown, taking Dailey’s place in the starting lineup, had five points, five rebounds and two steals.
Isaiah Moses scored 15 points to lead Eastern Washington, which found way too much easy success inside on the way to shooting 53.7% compared to UCLA’s 47.1%.
This matchup was presumably scheduled as a favor to Eastern Washington coach Dan Monson, the former longtime Long Beach State coach and friend of UCLA counterpart Mick Cronin. But Cronin might have been re-thinking the wisdom of playing the Eagles midway through the first half.
With the Bruins getting outhustled and struggling to attack Eastern Washington’s zone defense, scoring became an unexpected slog. Clark sagged his shoulders after missing a driving layup, extending a slump in which his team had made just one of its last 10 shots.
It momentarily got worse for the Bruins when Clark fouled Eastern Washington’s Johnny Radford on a three-point attempt. Radford made two of the three free throws to give the Huskies a 20-17 lead.
That’s when UCLA turned to the most reliable part of its offense. The Bruins let Dent do his thing.
It started with an acrobatic, driving reverse layup and continued with another layup and two passes to teammates for backdoor layups. By the time Dent found Bilodeau for a turnaround jumper, the Bruins were up 36-29 and their fans were a bit less restless.
By halftime, Dent had led his team to a 40-33 cushion thanks largely to his 14 points, six assists, two rebounds and a steal. UCLA’s defense wasn’t as impressive, allowing the Eagles to make 50% of their shots and score plenty of easy buckets against its big men.
Making this upset bid all the more difficult for the Eagles was the absence of guard Andrew Cook, a preseason All-Big Sky member after averaging 16.1 points last season. Cook, a native of Huntington Beach who played at Servite High, is expected to be sidelined for the entire season after recently breaking an ankle in practice.
Even while navigating Pauley Pavilion on a scooter, Cook was able to get some shots up pregame, rolling his way out underneath the basket and making a pump-fake before converting a layup.
The Eagles almost won without him before UCLA made the plays it needed late, including a Dent layup in transition. The Bruins won. Time to move on.
Sign up for UCLA Unlocked for big game takeaways, recruiting buzz and more UCLA sports insights.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.