University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES
UCLA 100, The Master's 58
Los Angeles, Calif. (Pauley Pavilion)
November 1, 2016
ย
UCLA head coach Steve Alford
opening remarks
โIt was really nice to finally play against someone else. Both as coaches and players to see what we did well and where we are early in the season. I thought the effort out of both teams was really good. We were defending an undersized team and that presents problems for our bigs. We did a really good job of assisting and moving the ball. We want to get more threes up. We want to get more than 24 threes up as I think thatโs going to be one of the strengths of our team. But the 20 turnovers, we were a little sloppy. If there was a negative offensively I thought it was our turnovers because we were a little careless. Thatโs something within our practices that we have been very efficient in our assist-to-turnover ratio. I just thought we were a little bit careless, especially when we got a big lead. The last five-to-six minutes of the first half and the first few minutes of the second half is where I thought we were most careless. Defensively, I think there are some issues that weโll need to look at on tape. But overall there were a lot of good things that happened. Holding a team to 32 percent is real positive. Getting a game in Pauley with three freshman that havenโt been out there before was big and getting tape against someone else was important.โ
On freshman Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf
I thought they did some good things. There were some moments where they had some freshman moments. But thatโs whatโs going to happen theyโre freshman. I thought they were pretty efficient as they took good shots. They didnโt force shots. We had as many charges and dunks tonight than we did in two and a half months last season. ย Both of them led us in rebounding so for their first games in Pauley I thought they were really good.
On Leaf in transition
Thatโs something that he is very good at. He is like Kevon [Looney]ย in that area. He is a little bit ahead with his ability to shoot the three. It is very similar in how they bring up the ball. What TJ has to learn is that he canโt leave his feet. So as long as he makes plays on the ground than we like it. When we are in a three guard lineup he is potentially running with them and you saw tonight that if you donโt leave those guards, then he can take you and finish at the rim.
Senior Guard Bryce Alford
On where they are at this point
I think we are definitely ahead of the game from where we were at this point last year. A lot of it has to do with going to Australia. We got those extra practices that we arenโt used to having. Having a freshman class thatโs this talented and has the IQ that they have helps. They are ready to play at this level right away.
On the freshman
They are very talented and very skilled offensively. You saw a little bit tonight of how much Lonzo can impact the game in every way. You saw the versatility of TJ. I donโt think a lot of people knew about him being able to grab a rebound and go coast-to-coast. Those two are going to be very big assets to our teams and they are going to be very good.
On the pace of play
I think thatโs our biggest thing. A little bit at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half you saw it drop off. I think thatโs why you started seeing us missing some shots that we were making and turning the ball over because we are so used to playing at that fast pace. I think if we play fast and under control we are going to be hard to guard.
Freshman Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf
On first game in Pauley
Ball: It was a great atmosphere. It was only an exhibition game but the fans came out and they were great. Iโm just glad everyone came out to see us.
Leaf: It was just fun out there. Nice to get the nerves out with the first game. Excited for the next one.
On performance tonight
Ball: I thought we player alright. We could have done a little bit better on defense and limiting the turnovers but it was the first game.
Leaf: I think we have a long way to go on defense but we are getting better every day. I think the first game went really well for us and excited for where this team is going.
On playing in four-guard lineup
Ball: I like it. Itโs the fastest team we have and the offense is free flowing. As long as we can take care of rebounding then it will be good.
Leaf: I like it too. Sometimes it can be tough when guarding a bigger guy at times. At the end of the day we can really get out and run and create really big matchup problems for people. I think itโs something we can really benefit from.
Ball on block in first half
Ball: Thatโs just the way I play. I never want a person to get a free basket if I have a chance to stop it.
Leaf on having four dunks
Leaf: Thatโs a big part of my game. Just using my athleticism to make those plays and get the team energized and the fans energized. Thatโs just how I play.
On chemistry with team
Ball: I think the chemistry is significantly better. When we first got here we were just trying to figure each other out, filling in the pieces. But now itโs looking good.
Leaf: After the Australia trip it really helped a lot. We are just starting to get that on the court and off the court with the chemistry. And we are only getting better every day so itโs exciting.
The Masterโs University Head Coach Kelvin Starr
Thoughts about the game
UCLA 100, The Master's 58
Los Angeles, Calif. (Pauley Pavilion)
November 1, 2016
ย
UCLA head coach Steve Alford
opening remarks
โIt was really nice to finally play against someone else. Both as coaches and players to see what we did well and where we are early in the season. I thought the effort out of both teams was really good. We were defending an undersized team and that presents problems for our bigs. We did a really good job of assisting and moving the ball. We want to get more threes up. We want to get more than 24 threes up as I think thatโs going to be one of the strengths of our team. But the 20 turnovers, we were a little sloppy. If there was a negative offensively I thought it was our turnovers because we were a little careless. Thatโs something within our practices that we have been very efficient in our assist-to-turnover ratio. I just thought we were a little bit careless, especially when we got a big lead. The last five-to-six minutes of the first half and the first few minutes of the second half is where I thought we were most careless. Defensively, I think there are some issues that weโll need to look at on tape. But overall there were a lot of good things that happened. Holding a team to 32 percent is real positive. Getting a game in Pauley with three freshman that havenโt been out there before was big and getting tape against someone else was important.โ
On freshman Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf
I thought they did some good things. There were some moments where they had some freshman moments. But thatโs whatโs going to happen theyโre freshman. I thought they were pretty efficient as they took good shots. They didnโt force shots. We had as many charges and dunks tonight than we did in two and a half months last season. ย Both of them led us in rebounding so for their first games in Pauley I thought they were really good.
On Leaf in transition
Thatโs something that he is very good at. He is like Kevon [Looney]ย in that area. He is a little bit ahead with his ability to shoot the three. It is very similar in how they bring up the ball. What TJ has to learn is that he canโt leave his feet. So as long as he makes plays on the ground than we like it. When we are in a three guard lineup he is potentially running with them and you saw tonight that if you donโt leave those guards, then he can take you and finish at the rim.
Senior Guard Bryce Alford
On where they are at this point
I think we are definitely ahead of the game from where we were at this point last year. A lot of it has to do with going to Australia. We got those extra practices that we arenโt used to having. Having a freshman class thatโs this talented and has the IQ that they have helps. They are ready to play at this level right away.
On the freshman
They are very talented and very skilled offensively. You saw a little bit tonight of how much Lonzo can impact the game in every way. You saw the versatility of TJ. I donโt think a lot of people knew about him being able to grab a rebound and go coast-to-coast. Those two are going to be very big assets to our teams and they are going to be very good.
On the pace of play
I think thatโs our biggest thing. A little bit at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half you saw it drop off. I think thatโs why you started seeing us missing some shots that we were making and turning the ball over because we are so used to playing at that fast pace. I think if we play fast and under control we are going to be hard to guard.
Freshman Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf
On first game in Pauley
Ball: It was a great atmosphere. It was only an exhibition game but the fans came out and they were great. Iโm just glad everyone came out to see us.
Leaf: It was just fun out there. Nice to get the nerves out with the first game. Excited for the next one.
On performance tonight
Ball: I thought we player alright. We could have done a little bit better on defense and limiting the turnovers but it was the first game.
Leaf: I think we have a long way to go on defense but we are getting better every day. I think the first game went really well for us and excited for where this team is going.
On playing in four-guard lineup
Ball: I like it. Itโs the fastest team we have and the offense is free flowing. As long as we can take care of rebounding then it will be good.
Leaf: I like it too. Sometimes it can be tough when guarding a bigger guy at times. At the end of the day we can really get out and run and create really big matchup problems for people. I think itโs something we can really benefit from.
Ball on block in first half
Ball: Thatโs just the way I play. I never want a person to get a free basket if I have a chance to stop it.
Leaf on having four dunks
Leaf: Thatโs a big part of my game. Just using my athleticism to make those plays and get the team energized and the fans energized. Thatโs just how I play.
On chemistry with team
Ball: I think the chemistry is significantly better. When we first got here we were just trying to figure each other out, filling in the pieces. But now itโs looking good.
Leaf: After the Australia trip it really helped a lot. We are just starting to get that on the court and off the court with the chemistry. And we are only getting better every day so itโs exciting.
The Masterโs University Head Coach Kelvin Starr
Thoughts about the game
โUCLA is very good. They are really,really good and it seems like they are a great bunch of guys. They are going to be special, especially if they stay together.โ
On the experience of playing in Pauley Pavilion
โIt was an ultimate experience, especially for the kids. If you have anything to do with basketball, you know itโs a special place. We really wanted to enjoy the day, and I believe in the first half we competed, but we were better in the second half. I felt we were not as overwhelmed.โ
On where his team goes from this experience
โWeโre going to be playing teams that are on our level. After three exhibition games, we hope to get better. Hopefully, these games will help us improve.โ