UCLA’s Weak Schedule May Hurt Tourney Seed

The UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team has been to the Final Four three straight times, and as they are ranked No. 15 in the latest AP Poll, there are certainly those who think they can make it a fourth.  The team plays stiff defense, and their offensive efficiency ranking is No. 3 in the nation at 121.0, according to the basketball efficiency rankings at Kenpom.com. Darren Collison takes care of the ball, and they shoot the three ball at a solid clip. So what’s not to like?  Wins. UCLA needs wins over better programs.

If you check out their scouting report at Kenpom.com, you’ll notice that the Bruins have very few “quality wins,” the ones marked by a bright green highlight. Their four losses have been to good teams (Michigan, Texas, Arizona State and Washington), but only their wins over USC and Washington State would show up on the radar of the selection Sunday committee, assuming UCLA doesn’t win the Pac-10. Most of UCLA’s upcoming games should be easy wins, as well. Their non-conference matchup with Notre Dame should have been something, but with Notre Dame falling fast, it might not be so impressive. Still, few expect that the Bruins will miss the Tourney.  Their seed might take a hit with few high profile wins, though.

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Permalink - Posted in General on February 3, 2009 - Post a comment