UCLA Scouting Report

Welcome to my preview of Purdue's game against UCLA, or as I prefer, the first annual Wooden bowl! I am going to deep dive into how UCLA's defense forces turnovers, their two-point heavy offense, and key matchups in the game!

Bruins Offense

Now with 18 teams, the offensive landscape looks much different compared to years previous. Teams like Wisconsin and Michigan are playing a modern style of basketball built around generating the most efficient shots. Fortunately for fans who enjoy typical Big Ten basketball, the UCLA Bruins score in the old fashion way!

Let's start with the shot selection. UCLA has six players that have made over 20 threes this season but nobody has yet to crack 40. They don't have a sniper nor do they have a consistent way to generate offense at the rim. The result is ranking 265th in three point rate while shooting 562 long twos (They have shot 572 threes).

This is an offense that generates a ton of mid range jumpers in the half-court. The good thing for the Bruins is they are shooting 41.5% on long twos, a great percentage despite the ill-advised amount.

UCLA will play two bigs for most of the game, using one big on the perimeter to set screens while the other is located around the block. Their alignment is important because it sets up almost everything they want to do in the half-court.

Pick and Roll

UCLA goes against the grain with their pick and roll offense, using the screen to give their bigs opportunities roll into isolated post ups or pop to drive the ball. Expect to see a ton of ball screens with different player combinations that lead to deep post looks.

The most common usage is creating a high-low look from the ball screen. With their starters, expect to see Eric Dailey (#3) to pop out of a screen and look for Tyler Bilodeau (#34) trying to seal his man in the paint for a deep post catch.

If the screen is set with the ball handler driving to the middle of the floor, UCLA likes to use the big sealing as a screen to free up the drive from the guard.

UCLA also loves to set a ball screen with a guard either screening for the big or slipping behind the ball screen, commonly referred to as shallow action. Like their other pick and roll offense, UCLA uses many different player combinations.

Baseline Out of Bounds (BLOBs)

UCLA has been very aggressive in baseline situations, running a variety of sets to create quick scoring opportunities. The most common is a screen for the screener style that leads to a shooter curling into a mid range jumper on the ball side. Purdue normally switches these actions with the defender leaving the out of bounds passer.

Key Players

#34 - Tyler Bilodeau

The Oregon State transfer has brought his sweet shooting skillset to Los Angeles and now leads the Bruins in scoring. He is heavily featured in their offense with his ability to score in the mid range. His passing is less refined, he averages 1.4 assists but I would wage most of his assists come from their high-low game.

For Purdue, I would use Trey Kauffman-Renn to start on Bilodeau. When Bilodeau does catch it in the post, Purdue has to force him to dribble multiple times to play into their baseline trapping. The cat and mouse game between Bilodeau and the Purdue help defense will be interesting.

#3 - Eric Dailey Jr.

Dailey is a major swing piece for Mick Cronin. The Sophomore was the deciding factor in their last game against Ohio State, scoring 20 points in a variety of ways. Like Bilodeau, I think he prefers to be a jump shooter but he is capable of getting to the rim if the opportunity presents itself.

I like Caleb Furst starting on Dailey, using his athleticism to matchup with Dailey on the perimeter. If he dribbles, he is trying to score above everything else. Purdue has to be good containing him and forcing him to pass.

#12 - Sebastian Mack

I was very high on Mack coming into the season, I loved his ability to get to the rim and draw free throws. Coming into Friday's game, Mack is averaging double figures points but still plays with a reckless style that leads to boom or bust plays. He is a DRIVER, he prefers his right but can go either way. He varies the timing of his steps which makes him hard to block without fouling him.

He comes off the bench, but I would use Gicarri Harris or CJ Cox to guard Mack. He is so shifty, making him hard to stay in front of, Purdue's help defenders have to fully close driving gaps. How many paint touches can Mack generate? And how many of those does he score or draw fouls on?

Dylan Andrews (#2) + Sky Clark (#55)

Two low usage guards in the starting lineup. Andrews will handle the ball a lot but hasn't looked to drive into the crowded paint. Clark will do his damage from threes or layups created off of turnovers. Purdue needs to be able to guard these guys one on one without needing much help.

Kobe Johnson (#0) + Lazar Stefanovic (#10)

The two best shooters on the roster are used as just that. Both of them are used aggressively in baseline out of bounds situations or as a third man added to ball screen actions. Purdue has to prevent either one from getting hot and hitting a flurry of threes.

Kyle Williams (#24) + Aday Mara (#15)

The bench bigs are physically gifted but have clear weaknesses in their game. Kyle Williams is an offensive non-factor despite good defense and rebounding. Aday Mara is the opposite, great lob target with touch but can be attacked on defense.

A Midwest Defense in Los Angeles

UCLA wins with their swarming, handsy defense that ranks inside the top 5 in forcing turnovers. The activity from all five players combined with individual talent makes them really good. If you want to beat UCLA, you have to handle their pressure.

Run and Jump

With so many guards on their roster, UCLA has the depth and personnel to press man to man with the goal of forcing turnovers. The rule of thumb for UCLA is simple, whenever a ball handler drops his eyes, drives to the sideline, or a teammate leaves the ball, UCLA tries to pounce.

This concept holds true in the half-court as well. Anytime the ball is being dribbled, UCLA is looking for any excuse to leave their man to go steal the ball.

Defensive Principles

Pick and Roll - Hard hedge with centers, double switching 1-4. They guard the roller well.

Post Ups - One on one trying to steal the entry pass, they could double on the dribble.

On-Ball - They reach constantly, their full court pressure depends on forcing a change of direction.

Off-Ball - Switching and keeping their eyes on the ball, very good at anticipating passes.

How Purdue Can Score

1. Trey Kauffman-Renn post ups. He can overmatch Bilodeau with his physicality and should be able to handle the ball against pressure. The key is him balancing scoring with getting his teammates involved.

2. Hunting mismatches in the pick and roll. UCLA will switch ball screens, this is a great chance to utilize Braden Smith and Trey Kauffman-Renn in favorable matchups.

3. Strong cuts to the rim or relocations going away from the ball. UCLA watches the ball which gives Purdue opportunities to cut to the rim or away from the ball (UCLA anticipates players running towards the ball).

4. Rejecting ball screens or driving baseline. The Bruins aren't as organized with who is helping baseline which can open opportunities to get to the rim.