Though it has been a trying college basketball season so far for the local teams, the weekend did provide hope in at least one regard. The UCLA Bruins played an overmatched UC Davis squad on Saturday and didn't let up, cruising to an 82-39 win and their most impressive win of the season to date.
Joshua Smith, who disappointed for most of the first nine games of the season, dominated his time on the court on Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, with 18 points, 10 boards and three blocks. UCLA will need Smith if it is to live up to anywhere close to its preseason expectations as one of the best teams in the conference.
The win on Saturday brought the Bruins to .500 on the season, including 3-0 since Reeves Nelson was kicked off the team. As Bruins Nation noted, "Ah no, beating a bad UC Davis team does not mean that. BUT the way the Bruins won does mean MAYBE this team can be a good team. For the Bruins did something that they had not done since the years of Ben Ball and the final fours: they played for 40 minutes."
UCLA has a pair of non-conference games this week against UC Irvine and Richmond before beginning conference play on December 29.
For more UCLA hoops news and information, be sure to read Bruins Nation.