UCLA Basketball: Comparing This Season's Team To 2007-08
Dec 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford talks with his players during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
The UCLA Basketball team is turning into one of the best in recent years, but how do they stack up against the best (perceived) Bruin team in the last 20 years, the 2007-08 UCLA team?
This season’s UCLA Basketball team is very good. Despite how they ended last year, they have transformed into a team that is getting some well deserved national attention.
The Bruins are having their best start to a season since the 2006-07 season, which was a good team coach ed by Ben Howland, but it can be argued that the 2007-08 team with Darren Collison, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love is the best in the last 20 years.
That team took UCLA to their 3rd straight Final Four with an incredible 35-4 record.
There is no doubt they were an elite team, so with this season’s Bruin squad getting similar attention and putting up some of the best numbers in the nation, Go Joe Bruin compares the individual match ups to see if this Bruin team is for real.
So without further ado…
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) moves in to recover the ball after forcing a turnover against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Point Guard: Lonzo Ball vs. Darren Collison
What I would give to see two of the best of Point Guard U in the last two decades go up against each other. Lonzo Ball has resurrected that title for the Bruins as he has led UCLA to their best start to a season since 2006-07.
Dec 7, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Not only is he scoring, but he is a pass-first point guard who always looks for the better shot. He is unselfish and looks to do nothing more than get his team the win.
The same can be said about Collison who is fast not only lightning fast, but had some excellent lock-down defense.
It would have been amazing to see DC try and contain Ball. On offense, Collison was a great shooter and had no qualms about attacking the rim.
Though Ball has displayed some flashes of hustle on defense, containing the speedy DC might have been a challenge.
Both can get a flame lit under their teams and will push until the final buzzer, but would either get the upper hand?
Advantage: EVEN
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) reacts after a scoring play against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Shooting Guard: Bryce Alford vs. Russell Westbrook
First things first, you need to imagine the Russell Westbrook of UCLA fame and not the triple-double threat that is running havoc in the NBA at the present moment.
Dec 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the floor before a game against the Boston Celtics at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
You also have to imagine this year’s re-born Bryce who is fitting perfectly in his new role as the 2 guard, compared to the overworked combo guard of last season.
In a head-to-head battle, it will be interesting to see how each can score against the other. Alford is thriving this season because he has developed into a solid shooting guard, which has been aided by the assistance of Lonzo Ball. Though it is still early in the season, Alford is already putting up some of his best numbers in his time at UCLA.
There was a reason Westbrook went #2 overall in the NBA Draft that followed the 2007-08 season. Westbrook not only had a breakout season, but turned into one of the best guards in the country.
In the end, there is no doubt both can score, but Westbrook’s defensive mentality gives him the advantage.
Advantage: Westbrook
Dec 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) rebounds the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena. UCLA defeated Kentucky 97-92. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Small Forward: Isaac Hamilton vs. Josh Shipp
Both Hamilton and Shipp played until their senior seasons which means they had a lot of experience at UCLA (although the 2007-08 season was only Shipp’s redshirt junior year).
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Both were role players in the offensive set up and did well supporting the players that got a little bit more attention.
The only difference here is that Hamilton is UCLA’s leading scorer.
Though silently, Hamilton is scoring 17.7 points per game. He is a streaky shooter and is not afraid to attack the rim.
With the way the Bruins move the ball around, Hamilton has been able to get points from all over the court.
Shipp was more of an outside shooter, though he had a decent inside game. He also had a solid defensive style, but if he was to go against Hamilton, chances are the Shipp would go down.
Advantage: Hamilton
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) shoots against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Power Forward: TJ Leaf vs. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
Imagine this battle. Two lanky but very good athletes trying to fight under the rim. Though this was Mbah a Moute’s junior year, his experience gives him a slight advantage. Or does it?
Nov 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Prince gained notoriety with UCLA as a freshman when he dominated the boards. Though he was a skinny player, he found ways to move through the opposition.
Mbah a Moute had good defensive pressure, but how would he do against the finesse-driven Leaf?
The Bruins knew what kind of player they were getting in Leaf, but this season, fans are fully aware of what this guy can do.
Leaf is not exactly a defensive presence, but he knows his way around the rim. He is second on the team in scoring with 17.6 ppg and is pulling down 9.3 rebounds.
In a head-to-head match up, this one could very well end up dead even.
Advantage: EVEN
November 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Toreros forward Brett Bailey (32) moves the ball against the defense of UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Center: Thomas Welsh vs. Kevin Love
So how do you think this match up will go? Both Welsh and Love were offensive based centers that had some defensive highlights in their time in a UCLA jersey.
Dec 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) takes a three-point shot against Toronto Raptors in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Love was the toast of the 2007 recruiting class and the best player Ben Howland signed in his time in Westwood. in Love’s only year with the Bruins, he made a big enough impact to get UCLA back to their third-staright Final Four.
That season, Love lead the Bruins in scoring with 17.5 ppg and 10.6 rebounds. He also took exception to angry Oregon fans berating him in UCLA’s game in Eugene that season with 26 points and 18 rebounds.
Though Welsh is not as “thick” as Love was, he is making his presence felt in his third year. He is 5th on the teaming scoring with 11.6 ppg and leading the team with 9.6 rpg.
Welsh has improved his short-to-mid-range shot which has made him very deadly with in 15 feet of the rim. Though he would have trouble putting a body on Love, he would have a field day front he baseline. Still…
Advantage: Love
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) moves to the basket against the defense of UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) and forward Ike Anigbogu (13) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Bench: 2016-17 vs. 2007-08
Aaron Holiday, Ike Anigbogu, GG Goldman, Prince Ali
vs.
Lorenzo Mata-Real, Alfred Aboya, Michael Roll, James Keefe
I would give anything to see Lorenzo Mata-Real (or Alfred Aboya for that matter) go up against Ike Anigbogu. Watching those two big bodies battle it under the rim would be something I would have on my DVR for a lifetime.
Mata-Real took a back seat to Love this year, but was a heavy hitter off the bench. Though he was not much of an offensive presence, he could wreck havoc under the defensive rim.
That is what Anigbogu is starting to do. Though has only played in five games, he is already making a name for himself. Already, Anigbogu is the best front court defender, which has been welcomed by Steve Alford.
But if the 2007-08 Bruins had to worry about anyone, it would be Aaron Holiday. I recently compared Holiday to Russell Westbrook, though Russ started for the Bruins this season while Holiday is a spark plug off the bench. That tells you what kind of talent this season’s Bruins has on their roster.
As for the overall production of the bench, even though this season’s team is still waiting for Prince Ali to return, I have to give the depth to Alford.
Advantage: 2016-17 Bruins
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Final Analysis: If both of these teams could somehow face each other in ten games (damn you scientists for not yet creating a flux capacitor!), I could see it split down the middle, 5-5. This current team is just starting to make a name for themselves while the 2007-08 Bruins have solidified themselves in UCLA Basketball history. But if this season’s Bruins continue on their path to success, it is possible they could eventually get to the Final Four and possibly do what the 2007-08 Bruins could not… win a National Championship.
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