Howland looks to rebuild program through emphasis on fundamentals
Starting over with a short bench and shallow talent It almost seems like an afterthought. Stuffed between last year's 19-loss debacle and what looks to be a promising future, the 2002-2003 UCLA basketball season very well could be one of the most forgettable in the program's storied history. Read More >> Pauley’s student section moves closer to court Call them fair-weather, call them finicky, call them loud. Either way, Bruin fans are getting closer to the floor this season in Pauley Pavilion. Whereas the previous student section on the arena, or floor, level was three sections wide and bordered by non-student seats, recent changes have moved the student section to stretch across the entire width of the north side of the floor, across from the Bruin bench. The number of student seats remains unchanged at 1,750. Read More >> Howland questions schedule, late season start Ben Howland didn't make the schedule. But he wishes he did. The first-year UCLA men's basketball coach has questioned several components of the Bruin schedule, including starting the season as late as Nov. 29. I don't like having just six games before Christmas, Howland said. Before the season opener against Vermont, the Bruins were one of only four Division I teams (out of a total of 326) who hadn't started their season. Some teams had played as many as four games by that point. Read More >> Scout squad gets beat – from practice with women’s team Much has been made of the 2003-2004 UCLA men’s basketball team. Los Angeles-area writers, talk show hosts and television personalities have made a head coaching position in Westwood look about as appealing as extracting teeth from a lion or being Jabba the Hutt’s dinner. One year ago, Slick Steve Lavin and Papa Bear Toledo were on Westwood's most wanted list. Now coach Karl Dorrell's approach to football has been called boring and dull by Los Angeles Times writer T.J. Simers. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Read More >> Twist of fate leads ‘Voice of Bruins’ to job he loves Chris Roberts, the so-called “Voice of the Bruins,” grew up in the very same area where his voice echoes throughout each UCLA football and basketball game. “I’m a Southern California guy,” Roberts said. During the 1980s, he had tried unsuccessfully to get the play-by-play job for UCLA football games. But a twist of fate led him to the job. After leaving KFI in 1992, Roberts went to work at KMPC. John Reimenstorr, who had been calling UCLA games up to that point, died of a heart attack one month prior to the 1992 season. Read More >> Cautious Optimism Men's team shackled by limited bench but could surpass expectations Read More >> Howland puts academics first Ben Howland walked into the post-game press conference beaming. But it wasn’t so much because he had just coached the UCLA basketball team to an exhibition win, judging from his opening comment to the media. “Trevor (Ariza) here got an A on his midterm today,” Howland said, causing his freshman forward who had just led the Bruins in points and rebounds to look sheepish for the first time all night. Read More >> Young, talented players lead women’s team Having relied on experience of its seniors last season, the UCLA women’s basketball program has taken a sip from the fountain of youth, and led by sophomore Nikki Blue and freshman Noelle Quinn, the Bruins have a new look this season. “It will be completely different this year,” Coach Kathy Olivier said. “We’re going to be up-tempo with a lot of different people touching the ball.” Read More >> Outlook not so good for Bruins Trying to prognosticate the future of Bruin men’s basketball two games into the season is always a little dicey, but especially for this team. Who would have guessed, after two games, that last year’s squad would end up losing 19 games and missing the NCAA tournament? Who would be so bold to say that after starting 4-0 this year (Exhibition wins matter for this team. Recall the 25-point loss to Branch West last season?) that these Bruins will also miss the NCAA tournament? Read More >> ‘If the stars are aligned correctly’ What do you expect from this UCLA basketball team? For the past few seasons, the answer was: Expect anything. A few victories over No. 1 teams, and a few losses to the EA Sports All-Stars. But this team, under the guidance of new coach Ben Howland, will not vacillate between greatness and utter ineptitude. No, it probably won't beat Arizona, and it probably won't beat Michigan State. But what it will do is beat Loyola Marymount and UC Santa Barbara. Yes, this is a UCLA team that lacks depth and talent, but it will make up for those deficiencies with good coaching and gutsy performances. Read More >> With growth, squad can go a long way This close. That’s how far the UCLA women’s basketball team was from earning an NCAA bid last year. So what’s it going to take for this year’s Bruin squad to advance to the postseason? Well, for one thing, they are going to have to grow up. And soon. Read More >> Disorder causes Washington’s Kayla Burt to reevaluate life on, off court It has almost been one year since Kayla Burt stepped on the hardwood floor for the University of Washington. However, the memory of the time when she once laced up her shoes and played competitive basketball still remains deep inside. “I’ll always love the game,” Burt said. “But, it’s different for me now. Basketball isn’t everything, and now I appreciate my life more than ever.” Read More >> Pulling her own weight Sophomore forward Julia Pitts looks to bulk up, improve her court presence Measuring a woman by her weight may seem taboo. Measuring a woman by her heart is not. That’s why sophomore Julia Pitts stands just as firm as the bigger and taller players she defends night in and night out for the UCLA women’s basketball team. Entering her second season, Pitts is undoubtedly a pivotal part of this year’s Bruin squad. A mainstay in the starting lineup, UCLA has come to depend on Pitts for her defensive presence and rebounding. Read More >>