UCLA Basketball: Five reasons why the Bruins will win it all

Nov 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford reacts during the college basketball game against the Cal State Northridge Matadors at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

What are the five reasons why UCLA basketball can win the National Title?

UCLA used to be the pinnacle of college basketball. UCLA fans remember the days of Coach John Wooden, when the Bruins won 10 NCAA Championships in a 12-year span, including seven of those coming in a row. They remember players like Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton.

Even new-age Bruins fans have memories of teams not rooted in the 60s and 70s. They can recall the 1995 National Title team and the Bruins squad that went to three straight Final Fours from 2006 to 2008.

Despite all of this, it seems as though UCLA has been somewhat forgotten from the college basketball landscape in recent years. The Bruins have made three of the last four NCAA Tournaments, and reached the Sweet 16 in two of those.

However, last year after a 15-17 season, things were looking bleak. That just isn’t good enough when you’ve won more titles than any other team in NCAA history. Last year left a terrible taste in everyone’s mouth and people were starting to question head coach Steve Alford and the direction he was taking the team.

Fast forward to this season where UCLA is 9-0 and ranked 2nd in the country. Many fans and basketball analysts are saying the Bruins are back and poised to make a run at a national championship.

It’s been 10 years since we’ve seen UCLA play in the National Championship game, and 21 years since they’ve won it. This UCLA team is for real. You can say that they are back or that they never left, but you can’t deny that they are elite this season. Call it whatever you want, but UCLA could win it all this year. Here are the five reasons they can do it.

November 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) against the defense of San Diego Toreros guard Olin Carter III (3) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

5. Bryce Alford

Bryce Alford is playing his best basketball at UCLA this season. He is averaging career highs in virtually every statistical category. On the year, he is putting up 15.3 points, is shooting 41.5 percent from three and is drilling 44.9 percent of his shots from the floor overall. He is also leading the Pac-12 in free throw percentage (90 percent).

Alford is playing off the ball this year, which has best complemented his game.

It seems as though Alford has hit big shot after big shot. Against Nebraska, we saw UCLA struggling to hold a 58-56 lead in the second half. Alford went on to score 10 big points in the final 6:43 to help pull away 82-71.

In UCLA’s next game we saw Alford hit a huge three to seal a win over Texas A&M.

Bryce Alford hits the clutch 3 to ice the game as UCLA wins the Wooden Legacy tournament. pic.twitter.com/kincKsTcsq

— Derrek Li (@DerrekLi) November 28, 2016

When UCLA needs a big shot come March, look for Alford to be the guy who takes it. There are not many players in college basketball who are more clutch than him.

November 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford watches game action against the San Diego Toreros during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

4. Coach Steve Alford

Steve Alford has been a terrific college coach with a total record of 537-275. While at UCLA, he has amassed a record of 74-40 with two trips to the Sweet 16. UCLA had a top-10 recruiting class this year and currently has the 2nd best recruiting class for next year.

UCLA seems to be trending upward with Steve Alford. Soon, he will show that he is able to win in March, not just as a player but as a coach too.

November 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pacific Tigers guard T.J. Wallace (2) loses the ball against UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

3. T.J. Leaf

T.J. Leaf has been better than most thought he would be as a freshman. He came in as a five-star prospect but many thought he would have a bit of a learning curve due to his supposed lack of toughness.

Leaf, who showed how tough he was against Kentucky, gets overlooked because he is playing alongside one of the best freshman in the country in Lonzo Ball. However, Leaf has been one of the best power forwards in the country.

Leaf has been exceptional for UCLA, averaging 17.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists through nine games this year. If the Bruins want to make a run in March, they will need Leaf to keep up his exceptional play all season.

November 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Isaac Hamilton (10) moves to the basket against San Diego Toreros forward Cameron Neubauer (20) and forward Brett Bailey (32) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

2. Offense wins championships?

Fellow east coasters, if you haven’t seen UCLA and their high-scoring offense play yet this year, tune in. Through nine games, UCLA is ranked 2nd nationally, averaging 97.0 points per game.

The Bruins are also averaging 24 assists per game, which is good for first in the country. Despite the great offense, UCLA is giving up roughly 75 points per game, which ranks 239th nationally. This may be a problem eventually, but so far it hasn’t hurt them.

UCLA has been putting up some absurd numbers offensively, as they have a KenPom offensive efficiency rating that places them in the top 10. If they continue to field such a high scoring offense, it won’t matter how many points they give up.

November 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) shoots a basket against the Pacific Tigers during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

1. Lonzo Ball

If you haven’t watched freshman point guard Lonzo Ball play yet, I suggest you fix that. Ball has been nothing short of spectacular for the Bruins this season. Through nine games, Ball is averaging 14.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and a NCAA basketball high 9.3 assists per game.

His incredible play has left scouts giving him high praise.

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He’s such a gifted athlete with tremendous skills to match it.

If UCLA wants to win it all this year, they will need to ride this talented freshman. They must hope that he can take them back to the promise land.