2022–23 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team explained

Year:2022–23
Team:UCLA Bruins
Sport:basketball
Conference:Pac-12 Conference
Short Conf:Pac-12
Coachrank:8
Aprank:7
Record:31–6
Conf Record:18–2
Head Coach:Mick Cronin
Hc Year:4th
Assoc Coach:Darren Savino
Ahc Year:4th
Asst Coach1:Rod Palmer
Ac1 Year:4th
Asst Coach2:Ivo Simović
Ac2 Year:1st
Arena:Pauley Pavilion
(Capacity: 13,819)
Champion:Pac-12 regular season champions
Tourney:NCAA tournament
Tourney Result:Sweet Sixteen

The 2022–23 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2022–23 NCAA Division I season. The Bruins were led by fourth-year head coach Mick Cronin, and they played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members of the Pac-12 Conference. Guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. was named a second-team All-American.[1] He was voted the Pac-12 Player of the Year, and received first-team All-Pac-12 honors along with guard Tyger Campbell. Guard Jaylen Clark was named to the second team and was voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He was placed on the conference's all-defensive team along with forward Adem Bona, who was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Amari Bailey joined Bona on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, and Cronin was voted the Pac-12 Coach of the Year.[2]

UCLA lost five players who were major contributors from their previous year's squad that went 27–8.[3] However, the Bruins were also the only team in the power conferences whose roster consisted entirely of players who began their college careers at that school.[4] With a 60–56 win over Colorado on February 26, 2023, the Bruins clinched their first Pac-12 regular season championship since 2012–13.[5] UCLA ended the regular season with an 82–73 win over No. 8 Arizona, extending their home winning streak to 25 games, the longest active streak in the nation. They won the conference by four games and finished the season undefeated at home for the first time since 2006–07.[6] Clark left the game with a lower leg injury, and was ruled out for the Pac-12 tournament.[7] The top-seeded Bruins advanced to the tournament finals before losing 61–59 to No. 2-seed Arizona, ending their 12-game winning streak. UCLA played without its top two defenders,[8] as Bona also missed the game with an injured left shoulder,[9] which he suffered in the semifinals against Oregon.[9] [10]

The Bruins, who were vying for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament,[9] received a No. 2 seed in the West Region. It was their highest seeding since they were placed No. 1 in 2008. However, Clark was ruled out for the season.[11] Bona was cleared to return in their opener, but he did not play in the 86–53 rout over No. 15-seed UNC Asheville.[12] He played in the second round against Northwestern, which UCLA won to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the third straight season.[13] The Bruins were eliminated 79–76 by third-seeded Gonzaga. UCLA led by 13 points at halftime, but were down by 10 in the second half with 2:40 remaining. They outscored the Bulldogs 14–3, culminating with a three-point field goal by Bailey to take a one-point lead. However, Gonzaga's Julian Strawther made a 35feet basket with six seconds remaining, and they held on for the win. Bona sat out the game due to his shoulder.[14] The game was rematch of the schools' Final Four matchup from 2021, also won by the Bulldogs, on a 40feet buzzer beater by Jalen Suggs to end the game.[15] [16] It was the Bruins' third consecutive loss to the Bulldogs in as many seasons.[17]

Offseason

Departures

UCLA Departures
NamePos.HeightWeightYearHometownReason for Departure
Jake Kyman 6'7" 215 Junior Transferred to Wyoming[18]
6’5” 207 Senior Graduated; Declared for the 2022 NBA Draft[19]
6'10" 255 RS Senior Retired to focus on master's degree[20]
Johnny JuzangSF6'7"215JuniorTarzana, CADeclared for the 2022 NBA draft
6'8" 200 Freshman Declared for the 2022 NBA draft
6'9" 250 RS Senior Graduated; Declared for the 2022 NBA draft[21]

Source:[22]

2022 recruiting class

Preseason

Preseason rankings

Preseason All-Americans/All-conference

Preseason award watchlists

Schedule and results

|-!colspan=12 style=| Exhibition|-!colspan=12 style=|Regular season|-!colspan=12 style=| |-!colspan=12 style=| Source:[23]

Statistics

Updated through Mar 6, 2023[24]
Scoring 2299 1864
Scoring Average 74.2 60.1
Field goals - Att 875–1896 673–1652
Field goal % .461 .407
3-point field goals - Att 190–545 203–652
3-point % .349 .311
Free throws - Att 359–500 315–450
Free throw % .718 .700
Rebounds 1118 985
Assists 447 348
Turnovers 327 504
Steals 269 151
Blocked Shots 119 85

Rankings

See also: 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings. *AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings

Awards and honors

RecipientAward (Pac-12 Conference)Stats (PPG/RPG/APG)WeekDate awardedRef.
Freshman of the Week16.5 PPG/5.5 RPG/2.0 APG3November 28[25]
Amari Bailey Freshman of the Week15.5 PPG/6.0 RPG/3.5 APG4December 5[26]
Dylan AndrewsFreshman of the Week11.0 PPG/4.0 RPG/6.0 APG5December 12[27]
Jaime Jaquez Jr.Player of the Week16.5 PPG/9.5 RPG/4.0 SPG/2.0 APG6December 19[28]
Adem BonaFreshman of the Week12.5 PPG/4.5 RPG/2.5 BPG/1.5 SPG8January 2[29]
Adem BonaFreshman of the Week9January 9[30]
Jaime Jaquez Jr.Player of the Week10February 13[31]
Amari BaileyFreshman of the Week10February 13[32]
Amari BaileyFreshman of the Week12February 27[33]
Jaime Jaquez Jr.Player of the Week17March 6[34]
Jaime Jaquez Jr.Player of the Year
All-Pac-12 first-team 		-March 7[35]
Adem BonaFreshman of the Year
All-Pac-12 All-Freshman Team
All-Pac-12 All-Defense Team		-March 7
Jaylen ClarkDefensive Player of the Year
All-Pac-12 second-team
All-Pac-12 All-Defense Team		-March 7
Mick CroninCoach of the Year-March 7
Tyger CampbellAll-Pac-12 first-team -March 7
Amari BaileyAll-Pac-12 All-Freshman Team-March 7

Team players drafted in the NBA

See also: List of UCLA Bruins in the NBA.

YearRoundPickPlayerNBA Team
2023118Jaime Jaquez Jr.Miami Heat
241Amari BaileyCharlotte Hornets
253 Jaylen ClarkMinnesota Timberwolves

Notes and References

  1. News: DeCourcy. Mike. Sporting News 2022-23 college basketball All-America team. March 7, 2023. Sporting News. March 7, 2023.
  2. 2022-23 Pac-12 Men's Basketball All-Conference honors and Annual Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva. March 7, 2023. Pac-12 Conference. March 7, 2023.
  3. Web site: Tarek. Fattal. UCLA's Jaime Jaquez Jr. named Pac-12 Player of the Year. March 7, 2023. Los Angeles Daily News. March 8, 2023.
  4. Web site: How transfer portal, NIL reshaping college basketball recruiting has dropped value of high school prospects . Matt . Norlander . CBSSports.com . July 8, 2023 . July 21, 2023.
  5. Web site: Ben. Bolch. UCLA defeats Colorado to clinch its first Pac-12 championship in a decade. February 26, 2023. Los Angeles Times. February 27, 2023.
  6. Web site: Ben. Bolch. UCLA beats Arizona in Senior Night sendoff, but Jaylen Clark leaves with injury. March 4, 2023. Los Angeles Times. March 5, 2023.
  7. Web site: Jeff. Borzello. Sources: UCLA's Jaylen Clark (Achilles) out for rest of season. March 9, 2023. ESPN. March 12, 2023.
  8. Web site: Billy. Witz. Seedings for N.C.A.A. Men's Tournament Show Wide-Open Field. March 12, 2023. The New York Times. March 14, 2023.
  9. Web site: Ben. Bolch. UCLA falls to Arizona in Pac-12 title game, hurting chances for a No. 1 NCAA seed. March 11, 2023. Los Angeles Times. March 12, 2023.
  10. Web site: Adam. Grosbard. Undersized UCLA loses thrilling Pac-12 Tournament title game to Arizona. March 11, 2023. Los Angeles Daily News. March 12, 2023.
  11. Web site: Ben. Bolch. March Madness: UCLA's seniors ready for their last chance to dance. March 12, 2023. Los Angeles Times. March 12, 2023.
  12. Web site: Ben. Bolch. UCLA dodges upset trend, opens NCAA tournament with rout of UNC Asheville. March 16, 2023. Los Angeles Times. March 18, 2023.
  13. Web site: Tarek. Fattal. UCLA edges Northwestern to advance to 3rd straight Sweet Sixteen. March 18, 2023. Los Angeles Daily News. March 20, 2023.
  14. Web site: Ben. Bolch. Jubilation turns into heartbreak as UCLA loses to Gonzaga again in NCAA tournament. March 23, 2023. Los Angeles Times. March 24, 2023.
  15. Web site: Gonzaga beats UCLA 79-76 in Sweet 16 on Strawther's shot. March 24, 2023. ESPN. AP. March 24, 2023.
  16. Web site: Bill. Plaschke. UCLA goes from brilliant to broke as history cruelly repeats itself vs. Gonzaga. March 23, 2023. Los Angeles Times. March 24, 2023.
  17. Web site: Tarek. Fattal. Gonzaga outlasts UCLA in another NCAA tournament thriller. March 23, 2023. Los Angeles Daily News. March 24, 2023.
  18. Web site: Ben. Bolch. UCLA sharpshooter Jake Kyman says he will transfer in wake of reduced role. Los Angeles Times. April 5, 2022.
  19. News: Sam. Connon. Jules Bernard Remains in NBA Draft, Will Not Return to UCLA Men's Basketballdate=June 2, 2022.
  20. News: Tarek. Fattal. UCLA's David Singleton announces return, but Myles Johnson bids fairwell [sic]. April 28, 2022. Los Angeles Daily News. May 1, 2022.
  21. News: Ben. Bolch. Cody Riley bids UCLA farewell after an international scandal and a Final Four. May 6, 2022. Los Angeles Times. May 15, 2022.
  22. Web site: UCLA 2022 College Basketball Transfer Portal. 247Sports. March 26, 2022.
  23. Web site: Pac-12 unveils men's basketball early Conference game dates for 2022-23. pac-12.com. March 26, 2022.
  24. Web site: UCLA'S 2022-23 OVERALL STATS. March 6, 2023.
  25. Web site: Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - November 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221128213104/https://pac-12.com/article/2022/11/28/pac-12-mens-basketball-performance-awards-presented-nextiva-november-28-2022. dead. November 28, 2022.
  26. Web site: Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - December 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205204854/https://pac-12.com/article/2022/12/05/pac-12-mens-basketball-performance-awards-presented-nextiva-december-5-2022. dead. December 5, 2022.
  27. Web site: Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - December 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212200513/https://pac-12.com/article/2022/12/12/pac-12-mens-basketball-performance-awards-presented-nextiva-december-12-2022 . December 12, 2022 . dead.
  28. Web site: Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - December 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219200333/https://pac-12.com/article/2022/12/19/pac-12-mens-basketball-performance-awards-presented-nextiva-december-19-2022 . December 19, 2022 . dead.
  29. Web site: Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - January 2, 2023 .
  30. Web site: Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - January 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230109200053/https://pac-12.com/article/2023/01/09/pac-12-mens-basketball-performance-awards-presented-nextiva-january-9-2023 . January 9, 2023 . dead.
  31. Web site: Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - February 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230213211927/https://pac-12.com/article/2023/02/13/pac-12-mens-basketball-performance-awards-presented-nextiva-february-13-2023 . February 13, 2023 . dead.
  32. Web site: Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - February 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230213211927/https://pac-12.com/article/2023/02/13/pac-12-mens-basketball-performance-awards-presented-nextiva-february-13-2023 . February 13, 2023 . dead.
  33. Web site: Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - February 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230227202455/https://pac-12.com/article/2023/02/27/pac-12-mens-basketball-performance-awards-presented-nextiva-february-27-2023 . February 27, 2023 . dead.
  34. Web site: Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - March 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306183233/https://pac-12.com/article/2023/03/06/pac-12-mens-basketball-performance-awards-presented-nextiva-march-6-2023 . March 6, 2023 . dead.
  35. Web site: 2022-23 Pac-12 Men's Basketball All-Conference honors and Annual Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva .

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