LAS VEGAS – When UCLA won at Arizona late last month, its victory was largely seen as an indicator of its defensive progress.
It held the Wildcats to 72 points. Contrast that to the teams’ first meeting at Pauley Pavilion in January, somewhat of a low point as the Bruins allowed a season-high 96 points in what was their only home loss all season.
So, after the victory over its Pac-12 rival a month later, it looked like defense was no longer the albatross for a record-setting offense that played at warp speed.
“People have been killing us on our defense all year,” guard Bryce Alford told reporters afterward.