Congratulations Norman Powell on POW and UCLA Basketball Ranked #22

On the back of beating two cupcakes and two decent mid majors at home UCLA is now ranked #22 in the nation.  Leading the way in these four wins has been Norman Powell who has been named PAC  12 Player of the week.

UCLA senior guard Norman Powell has been named Pac-12 Men's Basketball Player of the Week for play from Nov. 17-23, the Conference office announced today in a vote of media who cover Pac-12 men's basketball.

The San Diego, Calif., native averaged 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game in UCLA's two victories last week. Powell was 15-for-24 from the field, 7-for-10 in three-point shooting and 10-of-17 from the free-throw line for the Bruins in the two contests. In UCLA's 107-74 win over Nicholls State on Thursday, the senior recorded 23 points, five rebounds and two assists along with a perfect 3-for-3 mark in three pointers. On Sunday evening, he posted 24 points while pulling down six rebounds and six steals. Powell has scored in double figures in all four games for the Bruins, reaching the 20-point mark in three of those contests.

The honor marks Powell's first-career weekly award. It is UCLA's 57th player of the week selection all-time.

Congratulations to Norman Powell on a great start.  Norman has stayed four years and has improved every year.  From a backup as a freshman to a sixth man as a sophomore to a starter and defensive stopper as a junior, to a scoring machine and leader as a senior.  Again, great job Norman, keep it up.

As far as the ranking.  As we predicted under Alford UCLA has started well.  Starting on this Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. against Oklahoma UCLA will take another step up in competition at a neutral site.  Ironically, UCLA not Oklahoma will be ranked coming into that game.  If UCLA stays ranked after the Battle for Atlantis tournament, things will be looking very good for UCLA.  If they don't, today's #22 may be the last time in a long time this season we are ranked.