UCLA didn’t enjoy a total reprieve from coursework over its winter break. The Bruins have been busy with an informal lesson in communication studies.
Coach Steve Alford wants his players to talk more on defense as part of their efforts to improve the team’s one perceptible weakness.
“It’s as simple as, ‘I’ve got your help left, I’ve got your help right,’ things like that,” UCLA guard Isaac Hamilton said.
Alford has asked the Bruins to be particularly chatty about the way they handle screens. The team is also trying to involve more weak-side defenders with its ball pressure, though that tactic has led to some recent slippage in rebounding.