The Fearsome Threesome, Episode 9: The Fall in Troy

There’s no easy way to say this, but it is time to panic Bruins fans.

USC and Arizona both exploded UCLA’s weaknesses and exposed them for the team that they really are. The Bruins suffered back-to-back losses for the first time all season and Steve Alford is looking for answers.

Arizona came into the Pauley Pavilion and beat UCLA at their own game. They outscored the Bruins and absolutely dismantled their defense. I have some breaking news too; giving up 96 points isn’t a recipe for success. This has been a problem for the team all year and Arizona was really the first team that took advantage of the UCLA defense to that extent. The Wildcats spread the ball around and torched the Bruins with three point marksmen. They finished the game shooting 45 percent from behind the arch with Kobi Simmons leading all scorers with 20 points. Lonzo Ball lead the Bruins with 24 points but it was simply not enough as Arizona took a comfortable lead and would not let it go.

Now, as for USC. This was honestly the most shocking of the three defeats. USC, yet again, took advantage of UCLA’s absolutely horrible defense. USC made 14 three pointers. Yes, you read that correctly. 14 threes made. No team can possibly win a game when you give up 14 three pointers, not even an offensive juggernaut like UCLA. USC ultimately was too much for the Bruins to handle and they left USC with a 84-76 defeat and a sour taste in their mouth’s.

Bruins fans all over are not asking themselves, “What now?”. Well, all eyes are on Alford again to see how he will salvage the team. The next three games are of major importance to this team. UCLA travels up north to challenge both Washington teams and then they play Oregon in the Pavilion. Nothing less than perfection in these three games will suffice for the Bruins. Another loss dooms the Bruins and will end any chance of a Pac-12 title. I do expect a clean sweep of these three teams. Alford must get the players to buy in on the defensive side of the ball. If they do not improve than the free fall will continue and who knows where the fall will end.