In the last weighty quiz before the bigger tests of March, give UCLA a “D.”
Didn’t take care of the ball against Colorado. Didn’t show the needed poise to finish. Didn’t get the win that showed the Bruins could prevail in a hostile setting against a team that’s a lock to make the NCAA tournament.
It would be easy to say that this UCLA team, minus Chris Smith and Jalen Hill, was like someone walking into an exam without a lucky pen or a good night’s sleep. Except not even the Bruins are buying that they are too depleted or too young to win these kinds of games, even against a veteran opponent playing on its home court during senior night.