When No. 22-ranked UCLA returns home to Los Angeles on Monday to face Boston University, the Bruins will be focused on cutting down on turnovers.
UCLA (1-1) gave up 21 points off 21 turnovers in a 72-64 loss to New Mexico on Friday in Henderson, Nev. The 21 turnovers were the most by a Mick Cronin-coached team since his first season at UCLA, 2019-20, when the Bruins had 22 turnovers vs. North Carolina.
“I’m extremely disappointed in some of our guards,” Cronin said. “There are three things you’ve got to do: defend, rebound, and take care of the ball. We didn’t take care of the ball.”
Maintaining possession has been a hallmark of Cronin’s UCLA teams. The Bruins averaged fewer than 11 turnovers per game in each of the previous four seasons. In 2021-22, UCLA averaged just 8.9 turnovers a contest.
Rediscovering that identity promises to be a point of emphasis for a veteran, but still new-look Bruins lineup. Four of the five starters against New Mexico are transfers: Eric Dailey Jr., Skyy Clark, Kobe Johnson and Tyler Bilodeau.
Meanwhile, the lone returning starter — Dylan Andrews — scored just four points while committing six turnovers on Friday.
Andrews, Sebastian Mack and Lazar Stefanovic, three of UCLA’s top performers a season ago, combined for just eight points vs. New Mexico.
“Dylan and Sebastian were throwing the ball away for layups,” Cronin said. “I told them, âGuys, we were better than that last year.'”
Just one Bruin scored in double figures on Friday — Bilodeau with 23 points — after four Bruins notched at least 12 points in their 85-50 season-opening win over Rider on Nov. 4. UCLA aims to regain that balance when winless Boston University comes to Pauley Pavilion.
The Terriers (0-2) come into the matchup after losing 74-60 at San Diego on Friday. Boston gave up 40 second-half points to the Toreros after surrendering 42 second-half points in its 80-72 loss to crosstown rival Northeastern on opening night.
Forward Malcolm Chimezie was a bright spot for Boston in its first two games. After scoring 14 points against Northeastern, he had nine points and nine rebounds at San Diego.
Boston guard Ben Palacios, who missed the season opener, scored 15 points in 17 minutes off the bench against San Diego. The Terriers head into UCLA missing forward Otto Landrum, who averaged 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds a season ago; and guard Ethan Okwuosa, who averaged 7.5 points and 4.2 rebounds last season.
“This is going to be our team for a while. We’re going to be without Ethan and Otto for a good stretch, and we’re going to have to figure this out,” Terriers coach Joe Jones. “This is not the same team from last year because of the injuries, but we’re still a good enough team to win. We’re going to have to figure it out.”
