Depending on who you ask, wins and losses always count for something. But after seven nonconference games, No. 21 UCLA will start Pac-12 Conference play where wins seemingly count for a little more and a loss stings a lot more.
Through UCLA’s first seven games, the theme has been bringing along the freshmen, most notably Amari Bailey and Adem Bona.
Bailey, who was just named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, has come along stronger over the past two games averaging 15.5 points, 6.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in the Bruins’ two home wins last week. He shot 57.1% from the field (12 for 21).
Bailey was the first to earn the honor at UCLA since Tyger Campbell was awarded it on Feb. 24, 2020.
Bona is averaging 8.7 points and 5 rebounds per game. His season-best scoring output (16 points) came in UCLA’s 81-60 victory over Bellarmine on Sunday afternoon.
Freshman point guard Dylan Andrews is averaging 12.7 minutes per game off the bench to round out the impact freshmen who are evolving to support veteran players like Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jaylen Clark and Campbell, all of whom are averaging more than 29 minutes per game.
The freshmen have slowly been acclimating themselves to the college game, which is hard enough, but their first experience on the road was not a good one: The Bruins (5-2) lost both games to Top 25 squads Illinois and Baylor in Las Vegas two weekends ago.
Bailey is up for the challenge of another early road test, again.
“I’m excited. I can’t wait,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough one going into anyone’s home environment and trying to steal a (win).
Though the performance of the freshmen is closely monitored, the team as a whole didn’t play well either. Veteran captain Jaquez knows that.
“I know we dropped two in Vegas, but since then we’ve improved dramatically,” Jaquez said. “I think that’s definitely the sign of a good team that’s going to continue to improve throughout the season.”
On Thursday, they’ll be on the road again, but another first-time experience awaits them in conference play in a one-off game against Stanford (3-4), which is different from the two games per trip the Pac-12 schedule normally brings.
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“I guess it’s fine,” Jaquez added regarding the single Pac-12 game, which will be followed on Sunday with a home game against Oregon. “It’s just another game for me, whether it’s conference or not. I look at it all the same.”
QUICK LOOK AT STANFORD
Stanford’s best player is Harrison Ingram, a sophomore wing who is averaging 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Spencer Jones and Michael Jones average just over 10 points to provide a diverse scoring threat.
The Cardinal haven’t been great from 3-point range this season, shooting just 28.3%, compared to UCLA’s 49.1%
WORTH NOTING
Last season, UCLA went 2-0 against Stanford in Pac-12 play, adding to the Bruins’ 17-8 record against the Cardinal the past 11 seasons. In the two wins, UCLA averaged 72.5 points and shot 46.3%. Stanford averaged 56.5 points and shot 41.2%.
No. 5 UCLA (5-2 overall, 0-0 Pac-12) at Stanford (3-4, 0-0)
Where: Stanford (Maples Pavilion)
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. (PT)
TV/radio: ESPN2 / 570 AM