UCLA Basketball: "No Secret" How Bruins Run Their Offense

The UCLA Bruins notched their fourth straight win last night with an 82-74 victory over Stanford. The Bruins have played better as a whole over their last seven games, but their offense especially stood out versus Stanford.

The Bruins' 82 points was their highest total of the season. Part of the reason for this was UCLA's success with three-point shooting. The Bruins shot 44% of their threes, going 11-25.

Following the game, head coach Mick Cronin gave credit back to sophomore Adem Bona for how they're able to run their offense.

“We try to play through Adem, it's no secret," Cronin said. "We're better when we do. I mean he's 5-for-10 and he could easily have been 10-for-10. He usually makes all 10 of those, but he just draws so much attention. He puts a lot of pressure on the other team's defense. You want to double him, he becomes a really good passer. You got guys out there playing, his ball movement has greatly improved as the season has gone on.”

via UCLA Communications.

Bona put up 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists against Stanford, and has been the most consistent piece for UCLA this season.

“Adem is one of the best big men in college basketball, he’s a great athlete with unbelievable attitude, he’s just a great person," Cronin added.

When he's not putting up points on his own, Bona elevates the play of those around him and opens up opportunities for other playmakers. Versus Stanford, Sebastian Mack recorded 21 points while Will McClendon and Dylan Andrews each added 13 points.

Even with the Bruins' less experienced talent improving over their latest stretch, it's hard to imagine this Bruin team would have won six of their last seven games without Bona.