Recently, UCLA defeated Arizona and Arizona State back-to-back, with a night’s rest in between. UCLA beat Arizona 65-58, and then turned around and blasted Arizona State 75-58. These two wins in a row may help UCLA get back on track. Before losing to Stanford and California, UCLA had a five-game win-streak.
Here are some of the notable Bruins stats thus far this season:
| Player | PPG | RPG/APG |
| Jones Lazeric | 13.2 | 4.2 (apg) |
| Travis Wear | 11.0 | 4.7 |
| Joshua Smith | 9.9 | 5.3 |
| Tyler Lamb | 9.8 | 3.6 |
| David Wear | 9.1 | 6.4 |
After a shaky start to the season, UCLA has improved to 9-7 behind their balanced team play of senior Jones Lazeric, sophomores Travis and David Wear, freshman Joshua Smith, and sophomore Tyler Lamb.
Travis Wear scores and great teamwork by the Bruins
As I watched the UCLA v Arizona game, which took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, I could not help but think of how much the Bruins have improved from their awful showing in the Maui Invitational early this season. The game was up-for-grabs for most of it, but the Bruins relied on Travis Wear down the stretch. Travis Wear produced a fantastic game, leading the team in scoring with 20 points, grabbing five rebounds, and also leading the Bruins with three blocked shots in 22 minutes.
In their victories of Arizona and Arizona State, UCLA demonstrated solid teamwork and good Ben Howland-style defense. If UCLA can keep up this type of intensity and effort, they may do better than many expected.
Rob S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
