Thomas Welsh caught the ball near the free throw line against Kent State on Friday night and powered up. He pivoted and lined up a jump shot. A UCLA fan said under her breath, “C’mon Robot!”
The ball snapped through the net.
That’s the way he’s programmed. Welsh is just wired to make buckets.
The 7-foot junior is near automatic from 15-17 feet. His midrange shot is machine-like in its consistency. On the nation’s highest-scoring team, with teammates who sling flashy passes and splash big 3-pointers, Welsh’s unassuming jumper is still one of UCLA’s best offensive weapons as the Bruins face Cincinnati on Sunday (6:40 p.