Out here in the mountains at what used to be called Allen Fieldhouse Far West, I recently saw UCLA in person. I thought Colorado played one of their better games of the season but they lost 104-89. UCLA reminded me, unfortunately, of the 1997 AZ team. Alonzo Ball is a fine and tall point guard. UCLA ran a dribble weave most of the first half and CU stayed close. Second half they switched to drive-and-dish. The 6' 6" Ball seldom went all the way to the rack, instead dishing out assistants right and left. With those receiving the passes being deadly from 3. They totaled 19 made 3's. First open shot went up. The dagger in this game turned out to be Bryce Alford, the coach's son. He seemed to need only about 6" to get off a 3. And they seemed to be as difficult as throwing a rock into the ocean from the shore. He totaled 37 points. Not an especially athletic team but a lot of height and those tall kids bombed away. Mason and Graham would have a lot of trouble guarding the perimeter. On the other hand, UCLA doesn't rebound well. Hope both teams get that far to play each other in the Dance.
