No. 22 UCLA ready to open season after pair of high-scoring exhibition wins
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this April 2, 2013 file photo, UCLA men's basketball coach Steve Alford speaks during a news conference at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. The Indiana native who played on a national championship team for Bobby Knight in 1987 is now part of the Hollywood scene. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) (The Associated Press)
A couple of 30-point victories while averaging 102.5 points in their two exhibition games. Things are sure looking different at UCLA.
The 22nd-ranked Bruins open the school's 95th season of basketball on Friday against Drexel at Pauley Pavilion, where new coach Steve Alford takes the place of fired Ben Howland on the sideline.
The team's exhibition wins over two Cal State schools — San Bernardino and San Marcos — unveiled a high-octane offense rarely seen during Howland's 10 defensive-minded years in Westwood. Sophomore Kyle Anderson had a double-double in the 96-66 victory over San Bernardino and followed it up with a triple-double in the 109-79 win over San Marcos.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sophomore Jordan Adams, who scored 20 or more points in his first four games last season, says the Bruins' offense is ahead of schedule.