Insightful Interview with the Managing Editor at Go Joe Bruin website for FanSided about the 2014/15 UCLA Basketball team
UCLA Basketball had such high hopes going into the season with a fairly new head coach whose former team was so exciting to watch and the Bruins showed some great basketball at times and pushed recently, what do you think some of the issues are as far as consistency this season with the team?
-Well that is the problem right now… consistency, or lack there of. UCLA will have some great games where they pass the ball around and get everyone involved, then they seem to abandon that plan from one game to the next. To top it off, the Bi-Polar Bruins are nearly unbeatable at home and are completely helpless on the road. Though UCLA has improved as a team as the season progressed, you never can tell which Bruin team will show up.
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What affect do you think having Alford’s son on the team playing for him have on the team?
-Do not get me wrong, Bryce Alford is a fantastic shooter, but that quality mixed with his responsibility at point guard is too much at times. Bryce is maybe the fourth best player on the team, yet he averages the most minutes, is tied for most shots taken, has the most turnovers and barely plays defense. Conclude what you will from that. Bryce is a good player, but something is up if the offense is not running through Norman Powell or Kevon Looney.
How do you feel about the incoming class for UCLA? Who do you think is going to make the biggest difference?
-The class coming in next year only consists of two guys, but they are players the Bruins badly need. Having true point guard Aaron Holiday come in next year and bring some solidarity to the team will be a major plus. They also have an explosive shooting guard in Prince Ali that will help a very thin back court.
How did UCLA lose to ASU? What was the key to the loss in that game?
-See my first answer, HA! It is inconsistency. It did not help that UCLA center Tony Parker, who has been very much improved this season, only got 2 points, 1 rebound and fouled out. Though he needed to do a bit more, it additionally did not help that the Bruins went away from their game plan of getting the ball in low post for that of jacking up one unsuccessful shot after another. Parker had one shot attempt in that game while the three starting guards for UCLA took a combined 40.
Dec 28, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins mascot Joe Bruin during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA defeated Alabama 75-67. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Why aren’t the Bruin fans in the seats at Pauley Pavilion? I remember the day it used to be packed to he gills? Prices too high? Student section not big enough for such a big school?
-Many things. Construction, parking, the pain of getting to Pauley, discontent for the coach, discontent for the coach’s game plan… the 9 p.m. PT games by the Pac-12 Network did not help matters either. Though UCLA is in transition right now (they did lose three players to the first round of the NBA Draft) they are not a hot ticket, which is quite unfortunate.
What are your thoughts on Bill Walton as an announcer for ESPN and the Pac-12? Tell me what you think he can lose and what he is doing well. Ps. Arizona fans thought he was down on the Wildcats and were calling for his dismissal, even started a petition. I think he has been better when discussing Arizona lately.
-Love it! I freaking love him! I have no idea what he is saying half the time which brings an awkward style of entertainment, especially when he bickers on-air with Dave Pasch. Classic! As for Arizona, chill out! Walton his high on every program in the conference. He loves every single one. He is the Pac-12’s Psychedelic version of Dick Vitale.