Kobe Johnson is What UCLA Basketball is All About

All year, the UCLA Bruins (20-8, 11-6) have relied on aspects of the game outside of scoring to become one of the top teams in the Big Ten. One player that has perfectly represented the way the Bruins' style of play is senior guard Kobe Johnson. He made it known once again last Sunday evening.

In last weekend's 69-61 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes (15-13, 7-10) at Pauley Pavilion, Johnson had his quietest scoring game in over a month but found a way to be a key piece to UCLA's win. He finished the game with just 3 points but added 13 rebounds, four assists, one block, and three steals.

Entering the contest, Johnson had scored in double figures the past four games and was on a hot streak. Despite going just 1-8 from the field, he tied a season-high in rebounds and made sure to wreak havoc on the defensive side of the ball, causing several Buckeye turnovers.

Following the win, Bruins coach Mick Cronin spoke on the consistency that Johnson has given, outside of his scoring. These have been performances that the former USC Trojan has put on all season long and his head coach credits the senior leadership and mental toughness for his success.

"He's [Johnson] been doing that all year, three steals, four assists, 13 rebounds, he's been doing it all year," Cronin said. "Sometimes the ball doesn't go in. His ball didn't go in today, but for the most part, it doesn't affect him because he's a senior.