Steve Alford: Defense is keeping UCLA from taking next step

Consistent defense continues to be an issue for UCLA, and Bruins head coach Steve Alford knows it.

UCLA lost at Utah 84-78 on Thursday night. The Bruins allowed the Utes to shoot 52.7 percent from the field for the game. There was a period in the final six minutes of the first half where Utah made five straight threes to build a lead (they went into halftime up 47-40).

After the game, Alford pointed to the defensive lapses by the Bruins and said that was preventing the team from taking the next step.

Steve Alford: "I think this has been a team that, for 30 to 32 minutes, has proven that they can really defend. But what they’ve got to grow and mature into is a team that can prove they can do it for 40 and we don’t always do that."

— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) February 23, 2018

Steve Alford, asked about defense still being an issue: "Well, that’s what’s keeping us from going over the top. What are we, 19-9 and 10-6? We’ve had a very solid year, it’s been very, very good, but to take that next step we’ve got to be able to defend for 40 minutes."

— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) February 23, 2018

UCLA and Utah both now have 10-6 conference records in what’s been a down season for the Pac-12. Arizona is the only ranked team from the conference. The Bruins visit Colorado on Sunday, while Utah gets USC on Saturday.