UCLA is banking on young talent to turn its fortunes around while Pacific is counting on an experienced player with name value as head coach to resurrect its program.The 16th-ranked Bruins, who are coming off a 15-17 season a year ago, host Pacific in the season-opening game for both teams on Friday. The Tigers, who finished 8-20 in 2015-16, have 13-year NBA veteran Damon Stoudamire at the helm, his first experience as a head coach.UCLA coach Steve Alford, in his fourth season with the Bruins, recruited one of the best freshman classes in the nation that includes 6-foot-6 point guard Lonzo Ball, 6-10 power forward T.J. Leaf (who can extend to the perimeter) and 6-10 center Ike Anigbogu. Alford has indicated that Anigbogu was expected to miss at least three games at the start of the season with a torn meniscus in his right knee.The influx of young talent matched with veterans such as senior guards Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton and junior forward Thomas Welsh has Alford confident that the Bruins will become relevant after missing the NCAA tournament last year. UCLAs losing record a year ago prompted Steve Alford to write an apologetic letter to fans in which he stated he returned to the school his one-year contract extension signed after the 2013-14 season.I dont think our team is concerned about what money I make or what money I give back, Steve Alford said, referencing his letter. I dont think thats an issue to our guys at all, so that part hasnt been talked about. Its about where that bar is.Coach (John) Wooden, whether its me, guys before me or guys after me in the future, same with players that played for Coach Wooden and guys that are playing in Westwood now, that bar was raised a long time ago by a guy that won a bucket load of games and championships, and established something that quite honestly hasnt been established anywhere else in the country.Depth is not a concern for UCLA evidenced by guard Aaron Holiday, who started all 32 games last year as a freshman. He is projected to be the sixth man this season.UCLA experimented with different lineups during a recent exhibition game against The Masters University, including a four-guard up-tempo version with Ball, Bryce Alford, Hamilton and Holiday.We have four very talented guards who know how to take care of the ball and know how to put the ball in the basket, Steve Alford said.Stoudamire, who has coaching experience as an assistant at Arizona (where he starred in college) and Memphis, is taking over a Pacific program that was in turmoil last season. Former coach Ron Verlin and an assistant were suspended for three months before being terminated in March in the midst of an NCAA investigation into allegations of academic misconduct.The Tigers have a balanced lineup as they return 11 of their top 13 scorers from last season, including junior wing Ray Bowles (11.1 points per game) and senior guard T.J. Wallace (10.8). In an exhibition win over Bristol on Nov. 4, senior guard David Taylor had 19 points (including five 3-pointers) and junior forward Jacob Lampkin had 15.Stoudamire, who was part of the UCLA-Arizona rivalry from 1991-95, has noted that the wealth of Pacifics returning players are buying into his coaching.If you have guys at the top of your team, your best players that are willing to be coachable, then that makes it easy for you as the head coach, he said.CINCINNATI -- What might be Jay Bruces last home run in Cincinnati as a Red wasnt quite enough to put his team over the top.The All-Star right fielder hit a three-run homer with nobody out in the ninth inning on Sunday against Arizona, but pitcher Tyler Clippard was able to regroup and get the final three outs as the Diamondbacks held off the Reds for a 9-8 win.Bruce has been the subject of trade talks for more than a year as the Reds continue to rebuild.It could have been my last home run at Great American Ball Park, he said. Also it might not have been. Well see. It was a good note.The Reds came from behind once to take a lead and again to tie the score, but they couldnt polish off their third consecutive comeback win in the series.Its been good this home stand, manager Bryan Price said. There was that big rally against their closer. (Zack) Cozart getting on base with the walk and on we go. Joey (Votto) given us the great at bat and Jay hitting the home run. It was a situation where we were a homer away from walking them off. That says a lot.Paul Goldschmidts solo home run in the fifth inning gave Arizona the lead for good. Yasmany Tomas chipped in a with a pair of solo home runs and Wellington Castillo had a three-run shot as Arizona ended a four-game losing streak and avoided a three-game sweep in Cincinnati for the first time since 2007.Every Cincinnati starter except pitcher Brandon Finnegan had at least one hit off starter Zack Godley, helping the Reds come from behind twice.Godley (3-1) became the first pitcher in franchise history to reach seven career wins as a starter in as few as 10 starts. He allowed 10 hits and five runs with two walks and three strikeouts. He also hit a batter.Finnegan (5-8) failed for the fourth consecutive start to get past five innings. He allowed seven hits and six runs with two walk and three sttrikeouts.ddddddddddddGoldschmidt was 0-for-6 with four walks in the series before leading off the fifth with his 17th home run of the season to break a 5-all tie.The teams combined for 13 hits and 10 runs in the first three innings, including Tomass one-out home run in the second on the first pitch he saw from Finnegan and Castillos opposite-field shot into the right field seats in the third.Tomas hit Josh Smiths first pitch of the eighth for his second homer of the game.WILD GIFTBrandon Drury gave Arizona a 7-5 lead when he scored from third base on Ross Ohlendorfs wild pitch on which Jean Segura struck out. Segura reached first base, but he was caught stealing.HOMER UNHAPPYReds LHP Brandon Finnegan moved into a tie with Washington RHP Max Scherzer for the National League lead in home runs allowed with 22 after giving up three to the Diamondbacks on SundayTRAINING ROOMDiamondbacks: RHP Zack Greinke, whos been on the disabled list since June 29 with a left oblique strain, threw 45 pitches during a bullpen session. His next step either will be a simulated game with the Diamondbacks or a minor league rehab game, manager Chip Hale said.Reds: The game was delayed for a couple of minutes while a Reds trainer checked out catcher Ramon Cabrera after he took a Brandon Drury foul tip off his facemask. Cabrera stayed in the game.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: RHP Brandon Shipley, Arizonas top pick and the 15th overall choice in the 2013 draft, is scheduled to make his major league debut on Monday in the opener of a four-game series at Milwaukee.Reds: RHP Anthony DeSclafani tries to improve to 6-0 in nine starts as the Reds on Monday open a seven-day, six-game West Coast swing with the first of three games at San Francisco. ' ' '
