If UCLA’s 64-62 loss at Cal last Saturday ends up being the game that costs the Bruins an NCAA Tournament berth, there might be one play that’s reviewed more than any other: Bryce Alford’s missed 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The offense stalled and missed five of its last six shots to end the game — including a poorly conceived jumper by Norman Powell that could’ve tied it — so it’s not fair to put the blame on one player. But Alford still had a chance to win the game, and arguably could have generated a better shot had he passed to a wide-open Isaac Hamilton on the other side of the court.

Looking at the replay, Alford had a chance to find Hamilton with about three seconds left on the game clock — when he was crossing the “Pete Newell” between his bench and the announcer’s table. While it would have been a tough pass, that Alford didn’t have his head on a swivel sank any chance of it happening. Hamilton also wasn’t wide open for another second or so, but Alford could have potentially identified that the defense was shifting away from that area — then lobbed it ahead.

“I didn’t see Isaac,” Alford said. “Obviously, watching tape, he was running down the court. … If I’d seen him, I definitely would have thrown it to him.”

A better point of contention might be why head coach Steve Alford didn’t call a timeout after Looney secured the rebound off Kingsley Okoroh’s missed free throw — which would have given UCLA a chance to run something with just over five seconds left.

“I’ve always been somebody that, with less time, I like playing out of those situations,” Alford explained. “He’s got a really good look. If you look at tape, he got a great look. Had he been maybe a step closer, it’d have been even better. I thought we did a really good job of rebound, outlet, go. The defense doesn’t get to set. …

“I’ve always liked playing it out instead of calling a timeout. If we were even, if the game was even, maybe it’s a little different. If it’s an even score, possibly call timeout just to make sure we don’t turn the ball over. We maybe throw it to halfcourt and call time. But when you’re behind, the last thing I want is for the defense to get set.”

h/t Bruins Nation on the replay