UCLA showcases the depth of its talent in victory | College News

Nearly 5 minutes had elapsed in the second half when Lazar Stefanovic took a move from Skyy Clark in the nook and rose for a three-pointer that prolonged UCLA’s large lead in its season opener.

Having barely performed to that time, it was Stefanovic’s first shot of the recreation.

Perhaps nothing higher illustrated the Bruins’ offseason makeover than the mainstay from a yr in the past being relegated to a bit participant as half of this new ensemble forged.

Stefanovic didn’t need to play a starring position given the abundance of talent round him. Kobe Johnson, who took his spot in the beginning lineup, was a two-way power along with his scoring, passing and lively protection. Tyler Bilodeau confirmed his dazzling offensive ability set with 10 factors in a five-minute flash to begin the second half. William Kyle III acquired the crowd going with three blocks.

It was a pleasurable introduction for a new and vastly improved crew Monday night time at Pauley Pavilion, No. 22 UCLA rolling to an 85-50 victory over Rider.

A yr after his crew struggled to attain on the solution to a dropping report, Bruins coach Mick Cronin watched a number of newcomers have little hassle placing the ball in the basket. Bilodeau scored 10 of his 18 factors in the second half to guide 4 gamers in double-figure scoring. Johnson added 12 factors after repeatedly driving for layups, Dylan Andrews made two three-pointers on the solution to 14 factors and Sebastian Mack added 12 factors to go along with his trademark grit off the bench.

“We don’t need anybody to try to do too much on this team,” Cronin stated, “because if you just get some execution, you get some ball movement, you’ve got guys who can shoot the ball in the basket or go by their man and make a play.”

Stefanovic contributed six factors in his 17 minutes, making two three-pointers. Equally important was his willingness to encourage teammates when he wasn’t in the recreation.

“For him to be able to take a step back and kind of take a different role with this team, it’s just amazing to see him do that,” Johnson stated. “He’s got one of the best attitudes I’ve been around. So, that’s really huge for this team for people to unfortunately lose some of their playing time, or some of their minutes, and still have a great attitude, come practice every day, wanting to work and get better. I mean, that’s what’s going to make this team great, people like that.”

UCLA guard Trent Perry is fouled by Rider ahead Tank Byard, proper, as he’s double- teamed by guard T.J. Weeks Jr. in the first half Monday.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The Bruins gained simply on a night time when Clark, anticipated to be one of their main scorers, acquired in early foul hassle and scored simply three factors on one-for-five taking pictures.

The problem dealing with Rider was evident in the opening minutes. Bilodeau stole a move on the Broncs’ second possession, resulting in an Eric Dailey Jr. driving layup for the recreation’s first factors. After the Bruins picked up full-court defensively, Johnson and Andrews finally trapped Tyriek Weeks, resulting in a Johnson steal and one other Dailey layup.

Rider ahead Tariq Ingraham then threw a cross-court move out of bounds and Clark quickly got here up with a steal in the backcourt. Less than 4 minutes into the recreation, the Broncs had 4 turnovers and had been trailing 10-3.

UCLA compelled 11 of Rider’s 14 turnovers in the first half on the solution to a 41-23 benefit earlier than calling off the stress after halftime to deal with half-court protection. The Bruins completed with 52 deflections — outlined as steals, blocks, tipped passes or unfastened balls collected — to simply exceed the minimal of 40 that Cronin needs in a recreation.

“I think we showed that we could turn teams over a whole lot,” Johnson stated, “and create offense from that.”

T.J. Weeks Jr. scored 15 factors to guide Rider, which shot simply 32.3% however considerably offset its inaccuracy with 18 offensive rebounds resulting in 13 second-chance factors.

“We’ve really got to work on blocking out,” stated Cronin, whose crew gained the rebounding battle, 45-38. “We knew that that was going to be an issue with this team tonight, and for us when Eric Dailey’s out of the game, our rebounding struggles.”

Part of that may have been attributable to Cronin going along with his small beginning lineup that featured Bilodeau and Dailey as the huge males — huge, in this case, being relative since they’re 6-feet-9 and 6-8, respectively — alongside guards Andrews, Clark and Johnson to fight a crew that he knew would unfold his gamers out.

Cronin supersized his lineup later in the half when Aday Mara, a 7-3 sophomore, entered the recreation and shortly made his gargantuan presence felt. The middle blocked three pictures — together with a mid-range jumper — and was a favourite goal of teammates for passes in the paint. Mack discovered Mara for a dunk and Johnson drove and dished to Mara, resulting in a foul on the Broncs as Mara went up for a shot.

One participant who didn’t get into the recreation till UCLA was forward by 25 factors was Dominick Harris, a switch from Loyola Marymount who was anticipated so as to add three-point taking pictures after rating No. 3 in the nation final season by making 44.8% of his pictures from long vary.

Harris missed his solely three-pointer Monday however grabbed 4 rebounds and performed pretty lively protection in his seven minutes.

Minutes could possibly be exhausting to return by no matter a participant’s pedigree. Cronin stated sophomore forwards Brandon Williams and Devin Williams (no relation) would redshirt and freshman guard Eric Freeny was considering a related destiny.

“There are not enough minutes on this team,” Cronin stated.

But if Monday was any indication, there could possibly be a lot more wins than final season.