ROADKILL

The UCLA “Road Show” starts off with a pothole, as Bruins play possum to Loyola’s Lions, losing the Season opener at the Sports Arena, 69-58

So much for being #17.  UCLA said goodbye to their National ranking on Friday night, getting blasted by Loyola Marymount, 69-58.  It wasn’t a crazy fluke or one-time stunner — The Lions outplayed the Bruins in almost every facet of the game.  The Bruins couldn’t shoot to save their lives, led by Lazeric Jones’ 1-for-11.  Loyola led for most of the game, building an 8-point lead in the first half, and expanding the lead to double digits about halfway through the second half.

The Lions had a quick Guard who gave the Bruins fits all night, and one inside player who outplayed the Bruins’ vaunted front line.  Josh Smith was in foul trouble in the first half, and never got untracked in the second, scoring only 5 points on the night.  And when Smith wasn’t in, the Lions dissected the UCLA Defense, getting inside at will, and hitting open Three’s, going 10-for-15 from behind the arc, compared to the Bruins’ 2-for-15 from Downtown.

Ben Howland has his work cut out for him, if this team is going to live up to the preseason hype that included being selected as favorites to win the Pac-12.  Getting Jerime Anderson back from suspension will help, and getting Anthony Stover back from injury in a few weeks will also be important, but even WITH those two veterans, the Bruins are far from Final Four material.  The Wear twins were active and occasionally effective, but relying on them to carry the Bruins didn’t work… and that’s against unranked and unheralded Loyola.  UCLA will need more from Smith, Jones and Reeves Nelson on a regular basis if this season is not to be a total failure like the season two years ago.