I was curious so decided to watch some film over the weekend on the guys who will be new to the team next season. Below are my quick observations. I spent about an hour and half over 3 days so take it for what its worth.
1) Since I started watching UCLA basketball back in 80s I am not sure I have ever seen such a talented group of players come to UCLA in one season.
2) The only thing I am relatively sure about is that Andrews and Bona will start, otherwise I am not sure who will get minutes
3) Stefanvic is a very skilled basketball player who can shoot, handle and pass
4) I can see why Coach is so excited about Buyuktuncel and compared him to Jaquez. Coach can play him at the 3 and he will be a really tough matchup for opposing teams. He might be the most impactful player joining the team next season.
5) Fibleuil is crazy athletic but also smooth. I can see him picking the ball on D and either windmill dunking or stopping for an all net three.
6) Mack is a scorer. He can take a lot of contact going to rim and still find a way to put it in but can also get hot from beyond the arc
7) Vide can be the backup point guard. His left is strong and like Mack he is really good at putting it in near the rim.
8) B Williams just reminds me of a guy who usually goes to Villanova. Takes a year or two to develop and then is just tough.
9) D Williams is a long bouncy 6'10. It may take him a some time to develop but the talent is there. I can see him as a defensive force down the road.
10) Mara is a unicorn. He is probably nowhere near his potential at this point. Even so, he is so long and skilled for his size, if can start reacting rather than thinking then he will basically be unstoppable on the inside on O and make shots near the rim very tough on D.
11) McClendon and Nwuba may find minutes hard to come by or maybe they will use this as an opportunity step up their games and fight to earn the minutes.
12) Possible Starting Lineups
Andrews, Stefanvic, Buyuktuncel, Bona, Mara - impossible size matchup for opposing teams
Andrews, Mack, Stefanvic, Fibleuil, Bona - Shoot opposing teams off the court while Bona mans the middle of the D
Andrews, Mack, Fibleuil, Bona, Mara - mix of size, athleticism, and scoring
Andrews, Fibleuil, Buyuktuncel, Bona, Mara - Defense
Maybe I am am just biased. Regardless, it is going to be fun to watch.
