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Bench depth could be an issue for the UCLA men’s basketball team

Guard Norman Powell, left, and his UCLA teammates go through a dribbling drill during a practice on media day earlier this month.
(Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)
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There were no surprises when UCLA Coach Steve Alford projected his starting lineup for the team’s exhibition game against Azusa Pacific on Friday.

Of more concern is who is left on the bench after those five players, or what isn’t left on the bench. There is one suitable option to back up three guards, meaning UCLA’s fast tempo and a long season could tax the thin backcourt.

“Coach, the way he plays that up-and-down system, I’ve got to get in way better shape than I am now,” said Isaac Hamilton, the freshman guard who sat out last season after transferring from Texas El Paso.

The lack of depth would also amplify the fallout from any injury or foul trouble and require some creativity with the lineup.

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Alford said Friday’s starters could change, but he said Bryce Alford, Hamilton and Norman Powell would start at guard with Kevon Looney at forward and Tony Parker at center.

There are plenty of options in the frontcourt. At guard, though, sophomore Noah Allen is the best alternative in reserve. Alford has praised Allen during the preseason, but he’s still an unknown. Allen appeared in 11 games last season, scoring 11 points in 38 minutes.

“We need to find that fine balance of being able to play quick but also utilize the size we have up front,” Steve Alford said.

Because of Looney’s versatility — he can handle the ball like a point guard at times — Alford said his starting lineup effectively has four guards. But Looney, who is 6 feet 9, also allows the lineup to go big. Thomas Welsh, a 7-foot freshman, could bump Parker to power forward.

There’s also a hybrid lineup, without the two big men, that would include Wanaah Bail, a 6-9 sophomore, and Gyorgy Goloman, a 6-10 freshman.

Pleasant surprises

After each practice session open to the media this season, Alford has mentioned Bail and Goloman as players that are “way ahead of where we thought they’d be right now.” Their emergence is a reason the Bruins potentially have lineup flexibility.

Looney said Bail is possibly the most athletic player on the team, and Alford said he has been impressed by the way Bail has run the court, rebounded and set screens.

Goloman acknowledged that he needs to add strength, but Alford praised Goloman’s passing and the way he sees the court.

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“With GG, you just got a really skilled, 6-10 kid,” Alford said. “Very, very skilled.”

Goloman is from Hungary but spent a year at a Florida high school before enrolling at UCLA. Alford said if the season started today, he would be fighting for a rotation spot.

The coaching staff would like Goloman to add eight pounds and play at about 220. But Goloman hasn’t found any Hungarian food in Los Angeles, so he often opts for chicken wings and Mexican food.

“It’s not hard to adjust to Los Angeles,” Goloman said, adding: “Hungary is a whole different world.”

Rim shots

Looney said his injured hip, which limited him in practice, is now “completely fine.” … Hamilton said he has been splitting point-guard reps evenly with Bryce Alford. … In the wake of an August flooding, renovations to the Pauley Pavilion floor are complete, and the Bruins practiced there Saturday for the first time this season. … The team held several practices at the Clippers’ team facility.

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