Sports: UCLA Basketball - more lucky than good as they slay the dragons

UCLA 57 Drexel 56.

The Dragons of Drexel had the Bruins beat. They held the lead for most of the 2nd half. The gutty little Bruins managed to get close in the final minute. Down by two Afflalo flung a three-point shot and was ... fouled. He made two of three to tie the game. Drexel coach "Bruiser" Flynn was upset and he might have a case.

Drexel tried to inbound the pass and promptly threw it away.

The Bruins got the ball in and the play was busted and Farmar had no choice but to drive to the basket and shoot and hope for the best ... and he got fouled. Drexel coach "Bruiser" Flynn was upset and he might have a case.

He air-balled the first foul shot! But bounced in the 2nd.

Drexel with less than a second tossed the ball in and UCLA's Mata caught it and the game was over and the Bruins escaped the Big Apple with a win.

UCLA is not ready for prime time.

UCLA's two guards are still young and getting better but against Drexel, Farmar went 2-15 shooting. Afflalo didn't get on track until the 2nd half hitting some big threes to keep UCLA close.

Bozeman is providing some solid play at the forward spot as has freshman Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (love that name!). Both are a bit undersized but have a lot of heart and doing quite well.

Fey and Hollins ... what can you say, how can two seven foot guys seem like they aren't in the game when they are in the game? Between them, they had 19 minutes with ZERO points and just THREE rebounds!

Mata (merely 6-8) is likely to get more minutes if these two guys don't show up. At least he has a nose for the ball and is willing to mix it up with bigger guys inside.

Roll and Collison are freshmen and will get some minutes to rest the starters.

Aboya and Shipp are still injured. Shipp and Aboya I believe are expected to be starters when they get back.

The Bruins are a solid B/B+ team. Guard play will continue to improve. But the front court remains a problem. They are like a donut... a hole in the center.