2015–16 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team

American college basketball season March 2026 August 2023 Basketball 2015–16 UCLA Bruins UCLA Bruins logo.svg 200px Pac-12 Conference Pac-12 Conference men's basketball Pac-12 15–17 6–12 Steve Alford 3rd Ed Schilling Duane Broussard David Grace Pauley Pavilion The 2015–16 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles, during the 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They finished the season with a 15–17 record, the fourth time the program finished with a losing record since 1948, when John Wooden became their coach.Helfand Zach USC earns third straight win over UCLA, 95-71, in Pac-12 tournament March 9, 2016 Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-sn-usc-earns-third-straight-win-over-ucla-96-71-in-pac-12-tournament-20160309-story.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160318210654/http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-sn-usc-earns-third-straight-win-over-ucla-96-71-in-pac-12-tournament-20160309-story.html March 18, 2016 live The Bruins were led by third-year head coach Steve Alford and played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members in the Pac-12 Conference. Isaac Hamilton earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors, the only Bruin named to the all-conference team.Wang Jack UCLA guard Isaac Hamilton makes All-Pac-12 second team March 7, 2016 Inside UCLA http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2016/03/07/ucla-guard-isaac-hamilton-makes-all-pac-12-second-team/#more-29850 https://web.archive.org/web/20160308104211/http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2016/03/07/ucla-guard-isaac-hamilton-makes-all-pac-12-second-team/ March 8, 2016 live With Kevon Looney having moved on to the National Basketball Association (NBA), sophomore Thomas Welsh was promoted to UCLA's starting lineup at center, while center Tony Parker moved to forward.Kaufmann Joey UCLA basketball preview: It's Thomas Welsh's turn to be center of attention November 12, 2015 The Orange County Register http://www.ocregister.com/articles/welsh-691699-miller-high.html https://web.archive.org/web/20151116153844/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/welsh-691699-miller-high.html November 16, 2015 live Kaufman Joey UCLA basketball: Freshman guard Aaron Holiday proves a quick study November 18, 2015 The Orange County Register http://www.ocregister.com/articles/alford-692724-guard-holiday.html https://web.archive.org/web/20151211012031/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/alford-692724-guard-holiday.html December 11, 2015 live Freshman guard Aaron Holiday also opened the season as a starter, teaming with Hamilton and Bryce Alford to form a three-guard lineup.Helfand Zach UCLA has a chance to prove itself in Maui Invitational November 22, 2015 Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-basketball-20151123-story.html https://web.archive.org/web/20151211054857/http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-basketball-20151123-story.html December 11, 2015 live The Bruins lost their season opener to Monmouth and lost consecutive games in the Maui Invitational to Kansas and Wake Forest.Caple Christian Huskies men's basketball gameday: UCLA December 31, 2015 The News Tribune http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/college/pac-12/university-of-washington/article52606955.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160215210046/http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/college/pac-12/university-of-washington/article52606955.html February 15, 2016 live Helfand Zach UCLA's nonconference schedule gives them strength, despite some snickers December 18, 2015 Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-north-carolina-20151219-story.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160211224901/http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-north-carolina-20151219-story.html February 11, 2016 live However, they recovered to upset then-No. 1 Kentucky 87–77 at home and defeated then-No. 20 Gonzaga 71–66 on the road.Wang Jack UCLA enters Pac-12 play hoping to build on impressive start December 31, 2015 Los Angeles Daily News http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151231/ucla-enters-pac-12-play-hoping-to-build-on-impressive-start https://web.archive.org/web/20160215130204/http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151231/ucla-enters-pac-12-play-hoping-to-build-on-impressive-start February 15, 2016 live UCLA finished their non-conference schedule winning six of their last seven games, and entered Pac-12 play at 9–4 and ranked No. 25 in the nation. They were comparatively better than a year earlier, when they entered conference play with five losses and a three-game losing streak. The Bruins had an early conference win against then-No. 7 Arizona,UCLA vs. #17 Arizona ESPN.com http://espn.go.com/espn3/event/_/id/2723887/men-college-basketball/ucla-vs-arizona-m-basketball https://web.archive.org/web/20160217020638/http://espn.go.com/espn3/event/_/id/2723887/men-college-basketball/ucla-vs-arizona-m-basketball February 17, 2016 live but they were 4–5 halfway through the Pac-12 schedule, including 0–4 against the three teams with the quickest pace in the conference, Washington, USC, and Oregon.Kaufman Joey USC to try for a rare sweep of rival UCLA February 4, 2016 The Orange County Register http://www.ocregister.com/articles/usc-702712-season-teams.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160210093737/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/usc-702712-season-teams.html February 10, 2016 live Their defense was weakened without comparable replacements for Looney and Norman Powell, a senior from the prior season, and sophomore György Golomán had been out for much of the season with a stress fracture in his leg.Wang Jack What's ailing UCLA men's basketball on defense? January 19, 2016 Los Angeles Daily News http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160119/whats-ailing-ucla-mens-basketball-on-defense https://web.archive.org/web/20160216015754/http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160119/whats-ailing-ucla-mens-basketball-on-defense February 16, 2016 live UCLA coach Steve Alford believed his big front court was "slow" and had sophomore Jonah Bolden start in place of the senior Parker.Shultz Alex UCLA's juggled lineup results in big win over Washington State January 30, 2016 Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-washington-state-20160131-story.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160201044010/http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-washington-state-20160131-story.html February 1, 2016 live While Bolden was 1 in taller than Parker, he was also 40 lb lighter.Wang Jack UCLA benches Tony Parker against WSU, starts Jonah Bolden January 30, 2016 Inside UCLA http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2016/01/30/ucla-benches-tony-parker-against-wsu-starts-jonah-bolden/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160204173815/http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2016/01/30/ucla-benches-tony-parker-against-wsu-starts-jonah-bolden/ February 4, 2016 live UCLA began their second half with a loss to USC, who swept the Bruins for the first time since 2010.Kaufman Joey USC dominates from outset to complete first sweep of UCLA since 2009-10 February 4, 2016 The Orange County Register http://www.ocregister.com/articles/usc-702906-ucla-final.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160208061831/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/usc-702906-ucla-final.html February 8, 2016 live Wang Jack UCLA hopes lineup changes pay off in USC rematch February 3, 2016 Los Angeles Daily News http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160203/ucla-hopes-lineup-changes-pay-off-in-usc-rematch https://web.archive.org/web/20160209153005/http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160203/ucla-hopes-lineup-changes-pay-off-in-usc-rematch February 9, 2016 live The Bruins lost both games in their crosstown rivalry by double digits for the first time since 1938. In their next game, UCLA blew a 10-point halftime lead to Arizona en route to their fifth loss in seven games. The loss dropped them out of all major NCAA tournament projections and mired in 10th place in the Pac-12.Helfand Zach For UCLA, it's deja vu in the middle of Pac-12 play February 13, 2016 Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-basketball-20160213-story.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160215010746/http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-basketball-20160213-story.html February 15, 2016 live Wang Jack UCLA visits Arizona State hoping to snap losing streak February 13, 2016 Los Angeles Daily News http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160213/ucla-visits-arizona-state-hoping-to-snap-losing-streak https://web.archive.org/web/20160226184035/http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160213/ucla-visits-arizona-state-hoping-to-snap-losing-streak February 26, 2016 live The Bruins were eliminated from the Pac-12 tournament after a 95–71 loss to USC, losing three consecutive times in the same season to the Trojans for the first time in 74 years. UCLA missed the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in 10 years.Plaschke Bill Bruins' many weaknesses are exposed by the Trojans in Pac-12 Conference tournament March 9, 2016 Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-usc-ucla-plaschke-20160310-column.html December 31, 2018 Previous season 2014–15 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team The Bruins finished in fourth place (11–7) in the Pac-12 conference. They earned a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Championship tournament, and advanced to the Sweet 16, becoming the lowest-seed UCLA team to ever reach the regional semifinals. They defeated SMU 60–59 in the second round and UAB 92–75 in the third round. Then the Bruins lost to Gonzaga for the second time of the season, 74–62 in the Sweet Sixteen. The program produced its 49th 20-win season. Norman Powell led the team in scoring with 16.4 points per game, followed by Bryce Alford with 15.4 points per game. Off-season Departures Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes Norman Powell 4 G 6'4" 215 Senior San Diego, California Graduated David Brown 13 G 6'3" 185 Senior Anaheim Hills, California Walk-on; Graduated Kory Alford 2 G 6'4" 185 RS Junior Albuquerque, New Mexico Walk-on; Graduated Nick Kazemi 0 G 6'3" 210 RS Junior Santa Ana, California Walk-on; Graduated Wanaah Bail 1 F 6'9" 215 Sophomore Houston, Texas TransferredHelfand Zach Wanaah Bail transfers from UCLA after missing second half of season http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/uclanow/la-sp-ucla-wanaah-bail-transfer-20150410-story.html Los Angeles Times 10 April 2015 Kevon Looney 5 F 6'9" 220 Freshman Milwaukee, Wisconsin Declared for 2015 NBA draftUCLA's Kevon Looney Declares for NBA Draft http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&ATCLID=210003839 UCLABruins.com UCLA Athletics 7 April 2015 Incoming transfers Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes Ikenna Okwarabizie 34 C 6'10" 245 Sophomore Lagos, Nigeria Junior college transfer from Tyler Junior College 2015 recruiting class no no 2015 Aaron Holiday #15 PG North Hollywood, CA Campbell Hall School 6 0 175 03/03/2014 4 4 4 4 Prince Ali #12 SG Pembroke Pines, FL Sagemont School 6 4 180 08/16/2014 4 4 4 4 Alex Olesinski F Roswell, NM La Lumiere School 6 10 200 03/04/2015 3 3 3 3 2015 2015 Player Commits 26 February 13, 2015 yes Roster 2015 UCLA Bruins y yes Alex Olesinski 0 F 6 10 200 Fr Roswell, New Mexico La Lumiere School Wonder Smith 1 G 6 1 180 Fr Los Angeles, California Windward School W Noah Allen 2 F/G 6 7 215 Jr Pacific Grove, California Palma HS Aaron Holiday y 3 G 6 1 185 Fr North Hollywood, California Campbell Hall School Prince Ali 5 G 6 3 190 Fr Pembroke Pines, Florida Sagemont School Isaac Hamilton y 10 G 6 5 195 Jr Los Angeles, California St. John Bosco HS György Golomán y 14 F 6 11 215 So Körmend, Hungary The Sagemont School Jerrold Smith 15 G 6 0 165 Jr Los Angeles, California St. Bernard HS W Bryce Alford y 20 G 6 3 185 Jr Albuquerque, New Mexico La Cueva HS Alec Wulff 21 G 6 3 185 So Laguna Beach, California Laguna Beach HS W Gabriel Bell-Williams 22 G 6 5 175 Fr Toronto, Ontario Campbell Hall School W Tony Parker y basketball, born 1993 23 C/F 6 9 260 Sr Atlanta, Georgia Miller Grove HS Justis Bell-Williams 24 G 6 4 170 Fr Toronto, Ontario Campbell Hall School W Ikenna Okwarabizie 34 C 6 9 250 So Lagos, Nigeria East HS/Tyler Junior College Thomas Welsh y basketball 40 C 7 0 245 So Redondo Beach, California Loyola HS Jonah Bolden y 43 F/G 6 10 220 So Sydney, Australia Brewster Academy *Steve Alford (Indiana) Ed Schilling (Miami University Miami (OH)) Duane Broussard (Bradley) David Grace (Park) http://www.uclabruins.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&SPID=126928&SPSID=749896 November 13, 2015 Schedule UCLA's 2015–16 schedule includes home games against Kentucky, Long Beach State, Pepperdine, Cal Poly, Louisiana-Lafayette, Monmouth, Cal State Northridge, and McNeese State. UCLA will travel to play at Gonzaga and face off against North Carolina at a neutral venue. The Bruins will also make a trip to play three of the following in the Maui Invitational: Kansas, Indiana, St. John's, UNLV, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest.UCLA Basketball Announces 2015-16 Non-Conference Schedule http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&ATCLID=210137405 June 8, 2015 During the Pac-12 Conference schedule, UCLA will play 18 games (9 home and 9 away) and will have home-and-homes with the following teams: Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, USC, Washington, and Washington State. The Bruins will only play the Rocky Mountain teams (Colorado and Utah) at home. UCLA will also only play the Bay area teams (California and Stanford) on the road.Pac-12 Provides Opponent, Date Windows for 2015-16 Schedule http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&ATCLID=210138591 June 8, 2015 yes yes |- !colspan=12 style="background:#UCLA Bruins 1; color:#UCLA Bruins 3;"| Exhibition Oct 30 7:30 pm yes Cal State Los Angeles Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA Hamilton 20 Bolden 11 Alford 7 95–57 6,930 – |- !colspan=12 style="background:#UCLA Bruins 1; color:#UCLA Bruins 3;"| Non-conference regular season Nov 13 8:00 pm yes Monmouth Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA P12N Alford 22 Parker 19 Alford 5 81–84 OT 6,674 0–1 Nov 15 7:00 pm yes Cal Poly Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA Maui Invitational Opening Round P12N Welsh 22 Parker 14 Alford 8 88–83 6,595 1–1 Nov 19 7:30 pm yes Pepperdine Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA P12N Alford 19 Parker 15 Tied 5 81–67 6,063 2–1 Nov 23 8:30 pm yes yes UNLV Lahaina Civic Center Maui, HI Maui Invitational Quarterfinals ESPN2 Tied 20 Welsh 8 Bolden 4 77–75 2,400 3–1 Nov 24 7:00 pm yes yes Kansas 5 Lahaina Civic Center Maui, HI Maui Invitational Semifinals ESPN Hamilton 19 Parker 8 Holiday 3 73–92 2,400 3–2 Nov 25 4:30 pm yes yes Wake Forest Lahaina Civic Center Maui, HI Maui Invitational 3rd Place Game ESPN2 Tied 18 Parker 15 Alford 7 77–80 2,400 3–3 Nov 29 4:00 pm yes Cal State Northridge Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA P12N Tied 14 Parker 11 Alford 10 77–45 6,193 4–3 Dec 3 6:00 pm yes Kentucky 1 Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA ESPN Welsh 21 Welsh 11 Holiday 7 87–77 12,202 5–3 Dec 6 6:00 pm yes Long Beach State Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA P12N Alford 24 Tied 10 Holiday 7 83–76 6,443 6–3 Dec 12 7:00 pm yes yes Gonzaga 20 McCarthey Athletic Center Spokane, WA ESPN2 Hamilton 20 Bolden 11 Holiday 5 71–66 6,000 7–3 Dec 15 6:00 pm 22 yes Louisiana–Lafayette Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA P12N Alford 27 Parker 9 Alford 7 89–80 5,460 8–3 Dec 19 10:00 am 22 yes yes North Carolina 11 Barclays Center Brooklyn, NY CBS Sports Classic CBS Hamilton 23 Parker 11 Alford 4 76–89 16,311 8–4 Dec 22 8:00 pm yes McNeese State Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA P12N Hamilton 18 Welsh 14 Alford 8 67–53 6,499 9–4 |- !colspan=12 style="background:#UCLA Bruins 1;"| Pac-12 regular season Jan 1 8:00 pm 25 yes Washington Alaska Airlines Arena Seattle, WA FS1 Alford 30 Welsh 15 Hamilton 5 93–96 2OT 6,920 9–5 0–1 Jan 3 6:30 pm 25 yes Washington State Beasley Coliseum Pullman, WA P12N Hamilton 27 Welsh 10 Alford 5 78–85 1,912 9–6 0–2 Jan 7 6:00 pm Arizona 7 Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA Rivalry ESPN2 Alford 25 Parker 12 3 tied 6 87–84 12,026 10–6 1–2 Jan 9 2:00 pm Arizona State Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA P12N Hamilton 26 Welsh 16 Tied 5 81–74 9,973 11–6 2–2 Jan 13 8:00 pm USC Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA Rivalry ESPN2 Parker 27 Parker 12 Hamilton 8 75–89 12,993 11–7 2–3 Jan 20 8:00 pm yes Oregon State Gill Coliseum Corvallis, OR ESPNU Hamilton 25 Alford 5 Welsh 12 82–73 5,321 12–7 3–3 Jan 23 1:00 pm yes Oregon Matthew Knight Arena Eugene, OR CBS Holiday 19 Welsh 8 Alford 6 72–86 10,525 12–8 3–4 Jan 28 7:00 pm Washington Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA FS1 Alford 28 Bolden 11 Alford 6 84–86 6,843 12–9 3–5 Jan 30 4:00 pm Washington State Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA P12N Hamilton 22 Welsh 10 Hamilton 6 83–50 9,024 13–9 4–5 Feb 4 7:30 pm yes USC Galen Center Los Angeles, CA Rivalry P12N Holiday 15 Welsh 12 Alford 7 61–80 10,258 13–10 4–6 Feb 12 6:00 pm yes Arizona 17 McKale Center Tucson, AZ Rivalry ESPN Hamilton 24 Parker 10 Tied 4 75–81 14,644 13–11 4–7 Feb 14 5:30 pm yes Arizona State Wells Fargo Arena Tempe, AZ ESPNU Bolden 16 Bolden 9 Alford 11 78–65 6,710 14–11 5–7 Feb 18 7:00 pm Utah Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA ESPN2 Hamilton 25 Welsh 6 Holiday 6 73–75 7,249 14–12 5–8 Feb 20 8:00 pm Colorado Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA FS1 Hamilton 22 Tied 6 Alford 9 77–53 8,492 15–12 6–8 Feb 25 6:00 pm yes California Haas Pavilion Berkeley, CA ESPN2 Tied 15 Welsh 16 Holiday 5 63–75 11,858 15–13 6–9 Feb 27 1:30 pm yes Stanford Maples Pavilion Stanford, CA FOX Alford 20 Welsh 9 Holiday 6 70–79 6,364 15–14 6–10 Mar 2 6:00 pm Oregon 9 Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA ESPN2 Hamilton 19 Welsh 7 Hamilton 6 68–76 6,578 15–15 6–11 Mar 5 3:30 pm Oregon State Pauley Pavilion Los Angeles, CA P12N Hamilton 21 Welsh 12 Alford 5 82–86 7,940 15–16 6–12 |- !colspan=12 style="background:#UCLA Bruins 1;"| Pac-12 Tournament Mar 9 6:00 pm yes (10) (7) USC MGM Grand Garden Arena Paradise, NV First round P12N Welsh 12 Welsh 6 Hamilton 6 71–95 12,916 15–17 |- AP Poll Pacific Time Ranking movement 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings + Ranking movementLegend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. RV = Received votes. NV = Received no votes. Poll Pre Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Wk 15 Wk 16 Wk 17 Wk 18 Post Final AP RV NV NV NV RV 22 RV 25 NV RV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV N/A Coaches RV NV NV NV RV RV RV RV NV RV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV NV See also List of UCLA Bruins in the NBA Notes December 7, 2015 – Thomas Welsh was named Pac-12 Player of the Week January 11, 2016 – Bryce Alford was named Pac-12 Player of the Week March 5, 2016 – Forward/center Tony Parker was honored on Senior Day March 24, 2016 – Sophomore center Thomas Welsh was named to the second-team Pac-12 All-Academic team References 30em External links 2015-16 UCLA Bruins Roster and Stats at Sports-Reference.com UCLA Category:UCLA Bruins men's basketball seasons UCLA Bruins men's basketball UCLA Bruins men's basketball