What’s Bruin: UCLA Men’s Hoops Win, Football Transfer News, and Women’s Gymnastics Begins Its Title Defense

Happy Friday! Last night’s game gave this UCLA Bruins fan some hope. The Alford Era is finally over and the team looked better than I have seen it since Lonzo Ball played point.

Granted, the Alford stench has kept me away for all but a handful of games over this last season and a half. So, my personal sample size is small, but what I saw in 2017-18 and this season under Alford was baaaad. On the other hand, what I saw last night made me feel like the worst is over. We played some defense and had energy. Heck, I even stayed up until 1 am ET on a “school night.”

Let’s start off with men’s hoops when we check out What’s Bruin in the world of UCLA athletics on this glorious Friday morning.

Men’s Basketball

In the first game since Steve Alford was relieved of his duties as head coach of UCLA basketball, the UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team (8-6, 1-0 Pac-12) responded with a spirited—but far from perfect—performance against the Stanford Cardinal (7-6, 0-1 Pac-12), pulling away in the second half to win, 92-70.

Moses Brown had a big game, with 17 points and 10 boards, earning a double-double.

The Bruins only led by six at the half, but dominated in the second half and actually didn’t look half bad on defense while outscoring the Cardinal, 54-38 in the last 20 minutes. Many of Stanford’s point at the end came after UCLA had rested its starters.

Pauley looked to be more full than in the recent past and the fans seemed to make a heck of a lot of noise (from what I could tell on television) during more than a handful of steals, dunks, and fast break points. For more details, you can read Markybcool’s post game wrap up. Here is the box score.

The Bruins next take the court against UC Berkeley on Saturday. Tip off at Pauley will be at 1 pm, PT and that game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.

Football

Multiple sources, including the L.A. Daily News, have reported that defensive end Chigozie Nnoruka is transferring out of the UCLA football program. Nnoruka confirmed it with the following tweet yesterday afternoon.

Although Nnoruka’s absence will hurt UCLA depth on the defensive line, we nevertheless wish him success in his future endeavors.

Women’s Gymnastics

The defending National Champion UCLA Bruins women’s gymnastics squad—doesn’t it warm your heart reading those words?—begins its quest to win back-to-back titles in what will be Miss Val’s last season, when they welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers to Pauley Pavilion tonight at 6 pm PT. The contest will be televised on ESPN2.

For more details about this season, peruse AnteatersandBruins’ excellent season preview.

Go check out the dual-meet if you are in Westwood tonight, if for no other reason than to see UCLA raise the national championship banner. Admission is free to UCLA students and Wooden Athletic Fund members also get in free with their membership card!

Men’s Soccer

UCLA senior defender Erik Holt has signed a “homegrown contract” with Real Salt Lake of MLS. After playing four years as a Bruin, Holt will return to Salt Lake, where he played as an academy player prior to migrating to Westwood for college. Congratuations, Erik, and best of luck. I look forward to seeing you on the pitch when Real Salt Lake visits Orlando City in 2019.

Women’s Basketball

The UCLA women’s basketball team (8-5, 1-0 Pac-12) is in the Bay Area this weekend for the annual Stanford and UC Berkeley road trip. It’s going to be a toughie this season. First up for the Bruins play the Golden Bears (9-2, 0-0 Pac-12). Tip off is at 7 pm PT. The game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks Los Angeles and can be streamed at the Pac-12 website or Pac-12 Now app.

Now you known What’s Bruin going into the weekend. Thanks for reading and . . .


Go Bruins!