UCLA Basketball: Searching for Respect in NIT Season Tip-Off

UCLA is not mentioned in the latest top 25 college basketball poll. When the Bruins face the No. 6 Villanova Wildcats in the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off, they will be huge underdogs. In short, the UCLA basketball program is not getting much respect.

The Bruins have started the season with a 3-0 record and have beaten Cal State Northridge, Pepperdine and Pacific. All of the wins have come by at least double digits despite being hobbled with injuries.

Against Pepperdine, junior guard Malcolm Lee limped off the court with a sprained ankle, and against Pacific, the Bruins could only play with eight available scholarship players. Luckily, Reeves Nelson and Tyler Honeycutt took over and put up big numbers to advance to the semifinal game against Villanova.

The team received some good news when it was announced that junior guard Malcolm Lee could resume basketball activities Monday. Coach Ben Howland will not allow Lee to play unless he participates in a Tuesday practice before the Wednesday game with the Wildcats.

This Bruins team is a bit banged up, but it should not be overlooked in this game or this tournament. Freshman guard Tyler Lamb provides superb defense on the perimeter and can move in the transition game or set up the offense.

Villanova head coach Jay Wright has a very talented basketball team and it is making short work of the opposition in the early going this year, but the Bruins can match up. The Wildcats have some strong guard play with Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher, but they can fall in love with outside shooting, which can be a problem if the shots aren't falling.

If UCLA can win against Villanova, it will face the winner of the Tennessee vs. VCU game.

UCLA has enough talent to win this tournament, and playing on national television will get this team the respect it deserves.

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail].