SACRAMENTO, Calif. — When the final ꦍgame of the first round of the NCAA Tournament tips off, the show can truly begin.
With the highest-scoring offense in the country, No. 3 UCLA enters its matchup with No. 14 Kent State having already claimed the title of colle🐻ge basketball’s most entertaining team, but the Bruins (29-4) now start their quest to prove t🧜o countless critics that their fast-paced offense can also produce the school’s first national championship in 22 years.
“We’ve got to be true to who we are,” coach Steve Alford said Thursday at the Golden 1 Center. “I don’t think you’re going to see us change tempo. … You’ve got to play your game. You’ve got to be yourself. This isn’t the time to — we’re 3🗹3 games into this. … You finally got a Final Four out West and we’ve been wanting that for a long time.”
UCLA’s offense is among the greatest the sport has seen in years, an explosive act that often exceeds its hype. Six players average double-digit points, and the team leads the nation in assists (21.5) and field-goal percentage (51.9) — led by potential No. 1 NBA draft pick Lonzo ꦿBall — but the stars who create the uncanny offensive spectacle don’t share the same passion for — or ability on — defense.
Though senior guard Bryce Alfo♚rd, and his teammates, believe the defense is improving, they are confident the country’s best♛ offense can make up for any lapses on the other end.
“Our defense has been asked about all year,” Bryce Alford said. “It’s been a question mark for a lot 💙of people. We’re confident in our defense. We’re not going to be a team that holds teams in the low 60s or 50s or something like that, but this is a smart group of people on this team and when we need stops, we get ’em. That’s what’s gotten us to where we are so far, and our offense speaks for itself.
“It’s been a special year. I’ve been here for four years now and this isဣ🗹 the most fun that I’ve had playing basketball at UCLA, and we’ve got a lot of work left to do.”
Whenever the Bruins’ run is over, Ball’s college career will end with 🐲it. As his only NCAA Tou♒rnament begins, his coach is excited to see the show that Ball’s been waiting to put on his entire life.
“He’s a special talent both mentally and physically, and it’s how he’s wired,” Steve Alford said. “So๊ I’m excited. I can’t wait until we can tip this thing and get this tournament underway because this is what he’s been built for.”