LOS ANGELES — Nothing the UCLA men’s basketball team did on Friday night rivaled the excitement that Jordan Chiles brought to the Pauley Pavilion crowd.
The UCLA gymnast and her “Dancing With the Stars” partner, Ezra Sosa, performed at halftime, igniting cheers with their jive.
While the pair set a high bar, the difference was clear: They brought energy. The Bruins did not. Instead, No. 12 UCLA (2-0) lulled through much of Friday’s 74-63 victory over Pepperdine.
After Monday’s season opener against Eastern Washington, head coach Mick Cronin ripped into his players for their “arrogance,” but the lackluster performances continued.
Cronin wasn’t lying when he said he would substitute players directly following mental mistakes. In fact, it took him 26 seconds to follow through on that statement, replacing Tyler Bilodeau with Brandon Williams after an unnecessary off-ball foul against the Waves. Later, both Steven Jamerson II and Jamar Brown were taken out because they turned their back to cutters, leading to easy baskets.
The greatest indication of UCLA’s struggles Friday was its perimeter shooting as the Bruins finished 5 for 21 from 3-point range.
While it was inconsistent, there were spurts of UCLA energy throughout the game.
Eric Dailey Jr., who returned from a left knee injury that kept him out for a month, showed no signs of rust. He stepped back for a left-wing 3-pointer, then drove the lane and found Skyy Clark for a corner 3-pointer on the next possession. After the Bruins trailed briefly, Dailey restored the lead by stealing an inbound pass and drawing an and-one.
The Bruins turned the momentum into a 15-0 run. They took their first double-digit lead after a string of hustle plays from Trent Perry.
First, he whipped the ball to Xavier Booker Jr. for a layup off a pick-and-roll. Then he deflected a Pepperdine pass, leading to a run-out. Donovan Dent found him in transition and Perry hung for a double-clutch layup, flexing to the crowd in celebration.
Booker Jr. came out of the break with energy on both sides of the court. On offense, he drove for a floater and hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key. On defense, he protected the rim with a pair of rejections on consecutive Pepperdine drives.
He finished with a career-high five blocks and led UCLA with 15 points
Dent scored most of his 12 points from the free-throw line, but he got going in the second half. He drove for a right-handed layup and hit a turnaround jumper.
Bilodeau continued to go through the ebbs and flows of a position switch to power forward. He often settled for perimeter shots, finishing the night 0 for 4 from deep. Midway through the first half, he passed up an open 3-point look, traveling as he entered the lane.
Imperfect outings are understandable early in any season. There’s no need to panic after an 11-point win. But UCLA’s lack of liveliness is concerning through two games.
The Bruins are still searching for their spark. And if it won’t come from Cronin’s vigor, then maybe they can learn from their classmate Chiles, who danced with the pizzazz and verve that the Bruins are still searching for.
NOTES
Aaron Clark scored 18 points, including 14 of their final 16, to lead the Waves (1-1). Javon Cooley had 17 points and nine rebounds. … The game brought together three former Bruins – Pepperdine coach Ed Schilling (one-time UCLA assistant), Pepperdine assistant Tyus Edney and Jim Harrick, who coached UCLA to its record 11th national championship in 1995 when Edney starred on the team. Harrick also previously coached the Waves.
More to come on this story.