UCLA is flying under the radar this season, while its defense has been top-notch.
The Bruins have allowed an average of 45.0 points during their three victories as they enter Wednesday night’s nonconference game against Idaho State in Los Angeles.
UCLA (3-1) notched wins of 35 points over Rider, 31 points against Boston University and 40 over Lehigh behind an energetic pressure defense. The Bruins also lost 72-64 to New Mexico on Nov. 8 at Henderson, Nev.
UCLA ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense (51.8 points per game) and 28th in field-goal percentage defense (35.4) entering play on Tuesday.
“I think defensively, we just have to do what we do every night,” Bruins forward Eric Dailey Jr. said after Friday’s 85-45 trouncing of Lehigh. “Play aggressively and try to move teams faster, make them play at a faster pace and fumble the ball. That has been working for us, building our reputation as a defensive team.”
Bruins coach Mick Cronin was fine with the performance but feels his club can do better.
“If you hold a team to 45 points, your effort is usually really good,” Cronin said. “I’m proud of our defense again, but I think we’ve got a lot of things that we need to clean up.”
Oregon State transfer Tyler Bilodeau has been UCLA’s top player with averages of 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds. Dailey, an Oklahoma State transfer, is averaging 11 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Idaho State (2-3) split the first two contests of a three-game road trip, winning 78-66 at San Diego on Saturday before falling 62-61 to Cal State Fullerton on Monday.
Jake O’Neil had 17 points, 12 rebounds and three steals for the Bengals on Monday and Washington State transfer Dylan Darling also scored 17 points.
Darling is averaging team-best figures of 13.8 points and 5.2 assists.
“I think he’s the type of guy that other players like to play with just because of his ability to distribute the basketball — on time, right where it needs to be,” Idaho State coach Ryan Looney said.
O’Neil is averaging 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds while Isaiah Griffin is contributing 12.6 points and 5.6 boards. The Bengals have outrebounded their first five foes by an average of 12.4 boards.
UCLA is 3-1 all-time against Idaho State but the Bengals’ victory still ranks as one of the biggest upsets of all-time. Idaho State stunned a UCLA team featuring future NBA stars Marques Johnson and Kiki Vandeweghe 76-75 in the Sweet 16 of the 1977 NCAA Tournament.
–Field Level Media
