Introduction
The NCAA Tournament is the most prestigious event in college basketball and it is the goal of every team to make it to the tournament and compete for a chance to be crowned National Champion. UCLA has a long and storied history in college basketball and has been a mainstay in the NCAA Tournament for the past several decades. This season, the Bruins have had their ups and downs and are currently on the bubble for making the tournament. In this post, we will take a look at the factors that will determine whether or not UCLA will make the NCAA Tournament and what chances the Bruins have of making a deep run once they get there.
Team Performance
The most important factor in determining whether or not UCLA will make the NCAA Tournament is the team’s performance. The Bruins have had an up and down season, but they have been able to remain competitive in the Pac-12. They currently sit at 11-7 in conference play and are tied for fourth place. While they may not be in the running for the regular season title, they have put themselves in a position to make a run in the conference tournament and potentially make the NCAA Tournament.
UCLA has the talent to compete with the best teams in the conference and has proven that they can hang with the top teams in the country. They have victories over Arizona, Oregon, and USC, and have been competitive in games against Gonzaga, Oregon State, and Stanford. They have also been able to pick up key non-conference wins against teams like BYU and San Diego State. If the Bruins can continue to play at this level, they will have a good chance of making the NCAA Tournament.
Strength of Schedule
Another factor that will determine whether or not UCLA will make the NCAA Tournament is the strength of their schedule. The Bruins have played a relatively tough schedule this season, with games against some of the top teams in the country. They have also played some of the weaker teams in the Pac-12, which could help their chances of making the tournament.
The Bruins have also played a number of non-conference games against quality opponents, including a win over BYU and a close loss to San Diego State. These games will help boost their resume and could be the difference between making and missing the tournament.
RPI and NET Rankings
The RPI and NET rankings are two of the most important metrics when it comes to determining who will make the NCAA Tournament. The RPI is a measure of a team’s strength of schedule and their wins and losses, while the NET is a measure of a team’s overall performance.
UCLA currently sits at No. 68 in the RPI rankings and No. 48 in the NET rankings. These rankings are not ideal, but they are good enough to put the Bruins in the tournament conversation. If they can continue to win games and improve their RPI and NET rankings, they should have a good chance of making the tournament.
Recruiting
Recruiting is another important factor in determining whether or not UCLA will make the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have been able to bring in some of the top talent in the country in recent years, including Lonzo Ball and Shareef O’Neal. These players have given the Bruins a boost and have helped them stay competitive in the Pac-12.
UCLA has also been able to bring in some of the top prospects in the country for the upcoming season. This includes five-star guard Daishen Nix and four-star forward Jalen Hill. These players will give the Bruins a boost and could help them make a run in the tournament.
Conclusion
UCLA has the talent and the schedule to make the NCAA Tournament this season. The Bruins have been able to stay competitive in the Pac-12 and have picked up some key non-conference victories. They also have a strong recruiting class that will give them a boost. If they can continue to play at a high level and improve their RPI and NET rankings, they should have a good chance of making the tournament.”
