Alford’s first Tuesday presser of the basketball season was something of a travel log. While last year’s team traveled preseason to Australia much of the regular season was local travel to places such as Anaheim and Vegas (although Alford omits the Kentucky win). Not so this year with travel during the year to China, Kansas, New Orleans etc.
Alford always talks about how young the team is which is kind of his “coach speak” for early season mistakes. However, this year practice started earlier giving the team more time to get ready. Also his starting lineup is NOT young by the standards of college basketball:
Center Thomas Welsh (Senior)
Power Forward GG (Junior)
Small Forward Kris Wilkes (Freshman)
Guard Jaylen Hands (Freshman)
Guard Aaron Holiday (Junior)
This means UCLA is starting three upperclassmen, experienced for this era of the one and done.