UCLA Bruins
Pilot: Steve Alford
Flight Status: 15-16 overall, 6-12 in Pac-12 (10th)
Itinerary: vs. USC in first round
Cloud Nine: 87-77 over Kentucky (Dec. 3), 71-66 over Gonzaga (Dec. 12), 87-84 over Arizona (Jan. 7), 77-53 over Colorado (Feb. 20)
Baggage Check: 84-81 loss to Monmouth (Nov. 13), 80-77 loss to Wake Forest (Nov. 25), 85-78 loss at Washington State (Jan. 3)
Flight Plan: How about duck and cover? A December win over then-No. 1 Kentucky does little to soothe what has been a brutal season for the Bruins, one that has Steve Alford on the hot seat and the fans petitioning to Dan Guerrero for a change in just Year 3. Despite some star power on the roster, Alford has handed the offense to his son Bryce, who has taken the offense and shot it from 30 feet out. UCLA has not lived up to the defensive standards, and unless the Bruins clamp down in the tournament, it could be an early exit to a disappointing season.
