LOS ANGELES – The most embarrassing loss for UCLA last season was its 39-point blowout to Kentucky, a nonconference game in Chicago when it scored a record-low seven first-half points.
The most disappointing defeat, though, came at the hands of Gonzaga, which ended the Bruins’ season in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament three months later in Houston.
“Losing in the NCAA Tournament, there’s nothing worse than that,” junior guard Bryce Alford said.
Not only did it mark their second loss of the season to the Bulldogs, the previous one coming in a nonconference game at Pauley Pavilion, but for Alford, it remained especially cruel since they trailed 35-34 early in the second half.