UCLA Basketball: 8 Problems Bruins Need to Fix—Fast!

John Wooden would not be proud. The Bruins have stumbled and failed in almost every test thus far this season. This is a team that must get its feet underneath it quickly if it's to get back to .500, let alone capture an NCAA tournament berth.

Here are eight problems UCLA needs to fix, and fast.

Get Back to Defense

Ben Howland's calling card has been defense throughout his coaching career. That has not been apparent up to this point. In the Bruins' miserable 1-4 start, opponents are shooting 51 percent from the floor.

That lack of defense extends out to the perimeter primarily, as the team is allowing 51 percent shooting from the arc.

Lazeric Jones, Tyler Lamb and others must pick it up and chase the shooters off the clean looks.

No one can win allowing that type of shooting; it puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the offense.

Shoot Better from Distance

The Bruins have been terrible from distance so far. As a team, they are shooting just 24 percent from three. That type of futile outside shooting means defenses will pack the middle, stagnating driving lanes and post opportunities.

Lamb, Jones and Norman Powell are a combined 12 of 55 from the arc.

Ball Control

Much of this falls on Jones' shoulders, he is turning the ball over too much. He is averaging 2.6 turnovers per game to only 3.4 assists. The Bruins need him to take the reins and control the ball better.

Get to the Basket

The Bruins' best trait is their athleticism, yet they are not driving the ball to the basket with enough regularity. Instead, they are settling for threes—18.2 three-point field goal attempts is too high for this team, especially when the shots aren't falling.

Better Defensive Discipline to Avoid Fouling

Joshua Smith is the Bruins' best interior defensive presence. He has blocked seven shots thus far, but foul trouble has also been a factor. Smith fouled out of the Kansas game and was hampered by foul trouble against Michigan.

He and other Bruins must stop trying to make the impact defensive play and get back to fundamentals.

Get Joshua Smith in Better Shape

Smith will always be a big guy, but his frame currently is not suitable for big-time college basketball, let alone the type of defensive intensity Ben Howland likes to employ.

In the second half, Smith has faded in every loss and his turnovers have risen, conditioning seems to be the issue.

Seize the Second-Half Swoons

Ben Howland's teams are supposed to pressure defensively, get opportunities off that pressure and be proficient in transition. Ideally, this wears teams down, and they are able to take control, still executing late in the game.

The Bruins have been outscored in the second half in every game except one; in that game they outscored Loyola Marymount 30-29 in the second half. 

Talent

Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done for this issue. The Bruins have nine upperclassmen on the team, so it isn't youth. 

This looks like a long, tough season for the Bruins and their fan base.