March Madness 2017: Three Reasons why UCLA can Win it All
By Jason Reed
Lonzo Ball is the Superstar the Bruins Needed
Say what you want about Lonzo Ball, he is the most polarizing figure in all of college basketball. Even going back to his high school days with the famous “Ball Brothers,” Ball has been under the spotlight for all of the sports realm to see.
He may not be the best player, or the number one selection come June, but he will certainly be on every single fans radar regarding where he lands. Everyone seems to expect Ball to head to the Lakers in some shape or another, staying true to his Los Angeles roots.
Lonzo Ball is a superstar, there is no doubt about that.
Lonzo Ball is a superstar, there is no doubt about that. We have all heard his father tell us why, and he may not be wrong. Ball is averaging 14.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds running the point.
UCLA’s real first challenge comes in that in Kentucky, assuming that they make it to the sweet sixteen. Ball will match up nicely with the backcourt of Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox against Kentucky. Kentucky’s back court is their number one weapon. Averaging nearly a block and two steals per game, Ball may be able to limit their presence.
If Ball can get hot at the right time then the Bruins may be able to coast their way into the elite eight and final four. If Ball can start out hot against Kent State, and carry that momentum into the following rounds, it may be hard for any team to stop UCLA. Being matched up against one of the worst defensive teams in the first round, I fully expect this to happen.