If UCLA could have pre-selected the time of year for its two worst offensive performances of the season, it probably wouldn’t have been its final two games before the NCAA tournament.

The No. 3 Bruins shot a season-worst 40.7 percent from the field in last night’s 86-75 loss to Arizona. UCLA’s 41.2 percent shooting in a 76-74 win over USC one night earlier was its worst mark of the season to that point.

UCLA leads the country in shooting percentage (52.2%), but after losing to Arizona, coach Steve Alford could only repeat a line from the night before. “We missed a lot of open looks I thought we normally make,” he said.

UCLA has owned its offensive identity all season. It hasn’t just been great on that end of the floor, it has been historically great.

But there’s a reason the Bruins have faced difficult questions about its defensive concerns all season. Defense it more reliable than offense.

Arizona is a good example. The Wildcats rank 28th in the country in defensive efficiency, per kenpom.com. They lost to UCLA in McKale Center Feb. 25, but Saturday night’s convincing victory gave Arizona the edge in the season series. UCLA’s strength isn’t as reliable as Arizona’s.

Granted, TJ Leaf probably wasn’t 100 percent. Neither was Lonzo Ball, who injured the thumb on his non-shooting hand in the first half. And the loss was to the No. 7 team in the country, a ranking that will rise when Monday’s polls are released. Arizona is a Final Four-caliber team.

The concern over UCLA’s offensive woes are still legitimate. Bryce Alford has made 5 of his last 25 attempts from 3-point range. He and Ball combined to shoot 2-for-16 from beyond the arc last night.