Sophomore backup forward Wanaah Bail will not play for UCLA again this year after he has been ruled academically ineligible. UCLA was picked fourth in the Pac-12 at the beginning of the year but might not even finish that high. The Bruins are 8-4 and will play their final out of conference game against Alabama on Sunday before they start Pac-12 play against Colorado on January 2nd. Wannah Bail is not a huge loss statistically but this makes an already weak UCLA bench even weaker. With Bail out UCLA now only has 8 guys that have played at least 11 games this year, the rest of their bench have played in five or less games. Bail didn't play in many games as a freshman, but when he did play he only got 4.6 MPG. He didn't do much in that time as he averaged 1.6 PPG, 1.1 FPG and less than 1 RPG, APG, BPG and SPG. Bail got his chance this year as he has played in 11 of the Bruins 12 games averaging nearly double what he did last year, 9 MPG. Even with the increase in minutes Bail has still not played well, he has actually played worse. Bail only averaged 1.5 PPG and 2.6 RPG. He also didn't shot well, something he was decent at as a freshman. Bail is only shooting 38.9% from the field and 33.3% from the free throw line. As you can see this is not a huge loss for the Bruins statistically but is still news worthy since he has played in almost all of UCLA's games. The Bruins had one of the weakest benches in the Pac-12 to begin with and this suspension just makes it weaker. Freshman Gyorgy Goloman will now see an increase in minutes and will have to step up his game. He has only seen 6.6 MPG but has played in 11 games so far. The Bruins need someone to step up not just because they lost Bail but because they have not looked good this year. Goloman should get an opportunity and can make a name for himself as a freshman for future years. This is a tough year for Steve Alford but he currently has the 20th best 2015 recruiting class so the future is bright. This is a transition year for UCLA basketball and we should see more young guys getting a chance to play as the season goes on. UCLA most likely won't make the tournament this year, somewhat surprising for a team that was ranked #22 one point this season. Steve Alford is a great coach and will get UCLA basketball back on the map very soon. You hate to see a player get suspended for the season but it was the right thing to do. Bail will be back on the team next year, hopefully being able to maintain his grades this time.
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