UCLA Bruins Basketball: 5 Predictions for the 2011-12 Season

The Bruins are looking at an optimistic season in 2011-12 with the continued growth of Reeves Nelson, the maturation of Josh Smith and, of course, the eligibility of high school All-Americans and North Carolina transfers David and Travis Wear.

According the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll, UCLA is ranked No. 20 this preseason, which is brewing excitement in Westwood. The Bruins have a chance to be a substantial force not only in the Pac-12 but in the NCAA Tournament as well.

Here’s a preseason look at the 2011-12 UCLA Men’s Basketball Team: 

Starting Lineup: Preseason

November 11, 2011 vs. Loyola Marymount

F Brendan Lane

F Reeves Nelson

C Josh Smith

G Tyler Lamb

G Lazeric Jones

Although the Bruins have two red-shirt forwards from North Carolina that are now eligible, Ben Howland will probably give his established players a chance in the starting lineup in the preseason.

A spot in the starting lineup will have to be earned this year, as the Wear twins will add depth to the roster and will probably work their way into starting positions or at least a sixth-man role. 

Tyler Lamb will develop as an all-around player when he is given a starting role as a guard this season. He showed impressive potential last season and should be able to thrive as a starter.

Starting Lineup: League

December 29, 2011 at Stanford

F David/ Travis Wear

F Reeves Nelson

C Josh Smith

G Tyler Lamb

G Lazeric Jones

North Carolina transfers David and Travis Wear will find their way into the starting lineup. Which of the two will find their way into the lineup remains to be determined once Ben Howland sees them perform on the court.

Reeves Nelson will keep his spot as a starter, so only one of the Wear twins will probably see a starting position. However, Josh Smith will have to work hard to keep his starting position at center, which could easily be filled by one of the Wear's. Unless forward Brendan Lane can show more than the mediocrity that he did coming off the bench, he will merely continue to fulfill the same role as a bench player.

Lazeric Jones will have to work hard to keep his starting position as point guard. Jones’ average numbers as a starter last year will have to improve if he wants to remain starting point guard. Jerime Anderson could take over as starting point guard if Jones does not set the Bruin offense in motion. 

Pac-12: 1st Place

The Bruins will have their most crucial games against Arizona, Washington and Berkeley. Arizona’s loss of Derrick Williams weakens them severely, as the leading scorer behind Williams, Lamont Jones, scored only 9.7 points per game (Williams scored 19.5 points per game).

Washington lost three key starters in Isaiah Thomas, Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Justin Holiday, and they will rely on C.J. Wilcox and Terrence Ross to lead them this year. They still remain a pertinent threat to the Bruins but are not nearly as strong as they were last season.

Berkeley will be UCLA’s biggest threat this season with their three starters: Jorge Gutierrez, Harper Kamp and Allen Crabbe. The Bruins’ defense will be critical in their matchups against Berkeley. UCLA will most likely split the series against Berkeley, as they did last year.

The Bruins should finish around 14-4 in the Pac-12, which should be enough to seize first place, with Berkeley behind them. 

NCAA Tournament: Sweet 16

The Bruins’ three-year drought in the NCAA Tournament will end this season with the Bruins going to the Sweet 16. With the addition of the Wear twins creating more front-court depth, UCLA will be a deeper and stronger team.

Center Josh Smith will surpass his freshman follies and become a great leader for the Bruins alongside forward Reeves Nelson. Losing Tyler Honneycutt and Malcom Lee to the NBA will have little affect on the Bruins, who will look to Tyler Lamb and the Wear twins to step up and fill their voids.

The Bruins should finish with a final record of around 24-7 before the Pac-12 Tournament, earning a No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and winning their way into the Sweet 16. 

Projected Numbers (of Returning Players)

Reeves Nelson:   16.5 PTS 8.5 RPG

Josh Smith:          13 PTS 7.0 RPG

Tyler Lamb:          12.0 PTS 3.5 APG

Lazeric Jones:      10.5 PTS 4.5 APG

Jerime Anderson:  6.5 PTS 3.0 APG

Brendan Lane        5.0 PTS 3.5 RPG

Of the returning players, Nelson should lead the Bruins in scoring and rebounding with Josh Smith not far behind. Lamb will turn it on during his first year as a starter and lead the Bruin guards in scoring. The dynamics and influence of the addition of the Wear twins to the roster will also play a vital role in UCLA’s offensive production. 

2011-12: Setting the Stage

Assuming the Bruins can stay healthy this year, they will be able to establish themselves as a significant force in the NCAA this season. 

The Pac-12 will not be at its finest this year (in its first year as a conference), which will give the Bruins the opportunity to establish themselves well as a team during conference play. 

This year is a very important year for the building of the Bruins in the near future, as they are a very young team from which only one starter will graduate after this season (Lazeric Jones). 

The Bruins will shine in 2011-12 as they set the stage for the years to come.