UCLA Gets Defensive In Win Against Pepperdine
By Bruin Basketball Report
The offense is still a work in progress but the Bruins showed signs tonight of being a bona fide Ben Howland UCLA team with a strong defensive effort as they downed Pepperdine 71-52 at Pauley Pavilion.
The young Bruins showed the high level of intensity on the defensive end it will need to compete against opponents this year. While UCLA perimeter players were moving their feet and harassing ballhandlers, the interior big men were bumping bodies and taking charges.
UCLA held Pepperdine to just 41% shooting in the game.
On the offensive end, while the team is still developing an identify, it did manage to spread the scoring around as four Bruin players finished in double figures.
Sophomore Drew Gordon led all UCLA scorers with 18 points and also pulled down 9 rebounds. Michael Roll had 17 points on 5-9 from beyond the arc. Malcolm Lee scored 13 points and Mustafa Abdul-Hamid added 10 points in 27 minutes in place of starting guard Jermie Anderson who suffered leg cramps during the game.
UCLA (2-1) next plays in the 76 Classic tournament in Anaheim with a match-up against Portland on Thursday, November 26.
BBR :: Article Link :: 4:00 PM ::
6 comments
6 Comments:
Lifetime Bruin since Alcindor days, Mike Moser at the point? Coach knows best. Humbly offered. We have a long season to go. GO BRUIN'S!
I like how Moser played yesterday too. I like him at the 2 or 3 though. He was giving people problems with this size and length. I thought Mustafa did well too but he is more of a 2 than a 1. Maybe Lee and Anderson at the 1 alternating with Mustafa giving them a blow at the 2?
This team is young but very exciting.
I think the idea for Lee and Anderson at the point is a good one. Lee will probably end up getting drafted at the 1 anyway. Roll is the obvious 2, though he may need some defensive cover, and his extra minutes could be split between Lee and Mustafa. Any idea when Honeycutt will be available?
Don Mclean mentioned he saw the teams first practice. Moser caught his eye and compared him to Luc Richard. He recanted later, saying he has long arms like the Prince. Anderson needs to come off the bench. His confidence is shot. He showed some flashes of play but PG needs confidence and stability. Lee-1, Roll-2, Honeycutt-3, Drags-4 and Gordon-5. First off-Reeves, Keefe and Mustafa. Situational Subs-Moser and Anderson, slowly working their minutes up as the season progresses. Bobo looks in better shape but not playing with confidence? My .02
I see it the same way as ReactionOC. Good breakdown. I am hoping Moser continues to develop but I thought he looked a step slow on defense. Both he and Nelson weren't sliding their feet (Classic Howland) so they need to improve there. If anyone can make a player improver their D it's Coach H.
Anderson showed some flash but agreed his confidence is not all there. I am worried the first time an athletic team but the full court clamp on us. Even though Lee has confidence, he still makes too many poor decisions.
This team is definitely a work in progress but I am rooting for them with even more passion than previous years as they will be playing the underdog in many games.
No dis to Mr. Lee. Our PG has to fill some giant shoes w/ the grad of Collison: Full o'fire, speed under control, a true and selfless Servant of the T that knew where his 'mates were at all times. "Drafted at the 1 anyway?" That may be the prob --- Portland is next.<----(period) Coach Howland is the best. He'll take care o' the rest.
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