Pac-12 coaching change: UCLA lures Alford away from N. Mexico

Steve Alford decided to leave New Mexico only days after agreeing to a $20 million-plus package to stay in Albuquerque.

Pac-12 coaching change: UCLA lures Alford away from N. Mexico

LOS ANGELES - Steve Alford, who spent the last six seasons at New Mexico, will take over the basketball program at UCLA less than two weeks after saying how happy he was to be signing a contract extension to remain coach of the Lobos.

No. 21 UCLA 80, Arizona State 75: UCLA rallies from 15 down

UCLA's Larry Drew II drives against ASU's Jonathan Gilling. Drew led the Bruins with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting.

No. 21 UCLA 80, Arizona State 75: UCLA rallies from 15 down

LAS VEGAS - At halftime Thursday, it appeared UCLA had the most apt mascot name in college sports. The young Bruins could be ferocious, sure, but prone to hibernate for long periods.

Jerrett, Mayes show 'quality'

Arizona guard Jordin Mayes scored eight points against UCLA. That's more than he had scored in the previous seven games combined.

Jerrett, Mayes show 'quality'

LOS ANGELES - One reason for Sean Miller's relative optimism after a 74-69 loss at UCLA was actually two reasons: Grant Jerrett and Jordin Mayes.

Arizona basketball: Seen & heard at Pauley Pavilion

"GameDay"

Greg Hansen: 48 hours later, sky has stopped falling

Arizona guard Mark Lyons, right, dives at the ball and pokes it away from USC guard Jio Fontan, causing a turnover in the first half.

Greg Hansen: 48 hours later, sky has stopped falling

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Greg Hansen: 48 hours later, sky has stopped falling

If you apply some transitive basketball properties, you can still make a case for Arizona being the best team in the Pac-12.

Pac-12 basketball: No. 6 Arizona 74, USC 50: Defending their pride

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No. 6 Arizona 74, USC 50: Defending their pride

All season long, Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller has praised the focus of his veterans and freshmen alike, their ability to block outside pressures and chatter in the name of long-term team goals.

Pac-12: Maturing Bruins stop OSU, win streak at 10 games

UCLA's Kyle Anderson shoots over Olef Scahftenaar. Anderson scored 17 points as the first-place Bruins improved to 5-0 in Pac-12 play.

Pac-12: Maturing Bruins stop OSU, win streak at 10 games

LOS ANGELES - The UCLA Bruins who came into this season young and inexperienced are finally melding together.

This week in Pac-12 basketball

UCLA senior point guard Larry Drew II is averaging 8.1 assists, 5.9 points and 1.4 steals a game, but the former North Carolina player was left off the Bob Cousy Award list.