In Reply to: Just Some Random Thoughts. posted by ej on December 15, 2024 at 10:53:02
They're #13 on both kenpom.com and barttorvik.com. That puts them in the 96th percentile of 364 D1 teams.
They're clearly not among the elite teams, like Auburn, Tennesee, and Duke. And they're not in the next tier, whatever you want to call it; although looking at the teams between the top-3 and UCLA, I'm not sure any of them will consistently be able to demonstrate a marked superiority.
Teams like Houston and Iowa State have looked good in the regular season then flamed out in the tournament. Florida is undefeated but the best team they've played is ASU. Alabama, Kansas, and Marquette have all lost to inferior teams, although not at home (ring any bells?).
That pretty much leaves Gonzaga, who UCLA plays in two weeks. I've always said we'll know what we need to know about this team after December.
I agree the Bruins are probably a year away from being all they can be. But right now, undersized in the post, unremarkable shooting from distance, and unable to play consistently for a full 40 minutes, they're still among the best teams in thd B1G.
For me, for the moment, that's very good.