UCLA Bruins: 29-4, 15-3 in the Pac-12
Head coach: Steve Alford (4th season)
Players to watch: Lonzo Ball (14.6 PPG, 7.7 APG, 6.1 RPG, 41.0 3PT%); TJ Leaf (16.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG; 45.3 3PT%); Bryce Alford (15.8 PPG, 43.5 3PT%),
Season recap: With dynamic floor general and future NBA lottery pick Lonzo Ball creating a buzz around UCLA that has not been seen in years starting in nonconference play, the Bruins looked primed for a successful season from the get-go. By averaging 90.4 points per game on 51.9 percent shooting, UCLA racked up 28 regular-season wins—tied for the program record—and established itself as one of the most popular teams in the nation with its ball movement, floor spacing and long-range shooting.
Despite falling to then-No. 20 Oregon and suffering back-to-back losses to then-No. 14 Arizona and crosstown rival Southern California after going unbeaten in nonconference action by winning at Kentucky and against Michigan, the Bruins got hot again late in the regular season. They won each of their final two regular-season contests against ranked opponents and fellow Final Four contenders, taking down the then-No. 5 Ducks and the then-No. 4 Wildcats in the final stretch of the schedule before getting bounced by Arizona in the Pac-12 tournament semifinals.
With six double-digit scorers and the nation's assist leader in Ball, UCLA has the offense to cut down the nets for the first time since 1995.
How they make a run: Ball shows why he is arguably the most electric player in the nation, and the Bruins get hot shooting from role players like Isaac Hamilton and Aaron Holiday as well as timely defensive stops to advance to the Final Four.
How they falter: To say UCLA's effort on defense at times this season has been lacking at times might be an understatement, and the Bruins cannot get defensive stops when their shots stop falling en route to an early-round upset.
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