UCLA Bruins Ranked Third in Pac-12 Preseason Media Poll: Can They Prove Doubters Wrong?
After a successful 2022-2023 season, UCLA faces skepticism as they rank third in the Pac-12 preseason media poll.
In the recently released Pac-12 preseason media poll, the UCLA Bruins found themselves ranked third, trailing the Arizona Wildcats and the USC Trojans. Arizona claimed the top spot with an impressive 18 out of 26 first-place votes, while both USC and UCLA received four each. This ranking marks an intriguing turn of events for the Bruins after their impressive 2022-2023 season, where they secured the Pac-12 regular-season title but narrowly missed out on the conference championship to the Wildcats. Nonetheless, they outperformed both Arizona and USC in March Madness, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year.
Key Takeaways:
- UCLA Bruins ranked third in the Pac-12 preseason media poll.
- Despite finishing as Pac-12 regular-season champions, they fell short in the conference championship.
- UCLA reached the Sweet 16 in March Madness for the third straight year.
The Bruins’ postseason journey in the previous year was a rollercoaster, culminating in a heart-wrenching loss to Gonzaga in the Sweet 16, sealed by a Julian Strawther game-winning 3-point shot. However, what marred their otherwise impressive run were severe injuries to key contributors, including Adem Bona and Jaylen Clark, who were sidelined for most, if not all, of the tournament. These injuries significantly impacted UCLA’s defensive prowess, limiting their potential.
Heading into the new season, UCLA faces the challenge of returning only a few players from the previous year’s roster, with none of their key rotation pieces besides Bona. The concern of regression looms large, echoing the sentiment of the media’s preseason poll. Despite this skepticism, the Bruins can draw confidence from their experienced head coach, Mick Cronin, who has a proven track record of maximizing talent.
As the Bruins prepare for the upcoming season, they will start with an exhibition game against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Halloween. The regular season tips off on November 6th, with UCLA hosting Saint Francis University as part of an exciting double-header alongside the UCLA women’s team, who will face off against Purdue. Bruins fans eagerly await this season’s journey as they aim to defy expectations once again and prove that they belong at the top of the Pac-12.
Stay tuned to LA Sports Report for the latest updates on UCLA Bruins basketball as they embark on another exciting season in pursuit of greatness.
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