Return to Normalcy: UCLA Hoops is Back

If you can fathom the idea, UCLA, which won ten championships under legendary coach John Wooden, has not won a championship in men’s basketball since 1995 when miniscule point guard Tyus Edney led the Bruins to the title and justified the existence of head coach Jim Harrick, who went on to leave left a trail of slime at nearly every collegiate athletic program. Following Harrick’s resignation two years later, Steve Lavin took over the reigns in Westwood but never panned out before current coach Ben Howland took over. Since a dismal first season in which the team struggled to win even ten games, he has built the powder blue and gold back into a national powerhouse, with an incredible three-season run in which Final Four appearances and Pac-10 titles are now commonplace.

But while the Bruins have been one of the best teams in college basketball these past few seasons, they have been unable to get over that last hump. Much like the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, who lost four consecutive Super Bowls, they can get there but have not been able to quite seal the deal. Despite the Final Four losses, there is no reason to question Ben Howland’s coaching abilities, as he has UCLA in position once again to be dancing come March. Personally, I think the Bruins will power their way to another Regional Championship this season, but because of their inexperience, look for them to fall just short once again.

Luckily for the Bruins they still have some returners from last year’s Final Four team. Point guard Darren Collison heads the group and will be the key for success this season. He’s your prototypical true floor general, who makes sure that his teammates get the ball through smart passing on offense and hustle on defense. Last season, Collison was second on the team in scoring last season, averaging 14.5 and he also had 3.8 assists per game. His perimeter game also improved last season, as he shot an efficient 52.5% from beyond the three-point arc. Paired with Holiday, the two form one of the most formidable starting backcourts in the nation.

This is clearly Collison’s team, a rare senior who will be likely be first-round selection in next year’s NBA Draft. Despite his NBA aspirations, Collison will need to put his team’s needs first by taking a step back to let the precocious freshmen guards around him develop their games as well. His past experiences indicate that he will certainly be a leader, as he will need the freshmen to step up come tournament time.

Returning alongside Collison is Josh Shipp, another NBA near-miss, who was anything but reliable from long range last season. Shipp did average 12.2 points per game but shot just 43% from the field and 32.4% on three-pointers. If he is to become a more dependable scorer, Shipp will need to make more of an effort this season to take the ball inside and take advanage of his strength and uncanny ability to finish around the basket. With the lack of offensive firepower from the 4 and 5 spots, Shipp could potentially become the team’s best inside scorer.

Rounding out the senior portion of the starting five is center Alfred Aboya, who decided to return for his final year despite already earning his undergraduate degree. In his first three seasons under Howland, Aboya has primarily served his role as a bench player and averaged just 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game last season. In order for Aboya to be an effective starter, he will need to curtail his fouls. Last season, he averaged 6.2 fouls per 40 minutes played. If Aboya is unable to stay on the floor, look for one of the many talented freshmen to fill the void.

Forward James Keefe and guard Michael Roll will be counted upon to play key roles off the bench. Keefe, a former McDonald’s All-American has been inconsistent so far during his stint in Westwood and averaged just 2.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 25 games last season. His length and athleticism should allow him to become one of the team’s best rebounders and he also has nice touch from the outside. But now he needs to assert himself on the court if he is to be a major contributor on this team.

Guard Michael Roll returns this season from a medical redshirt and is slated to be the team’s top sixth man, backing up at either the two or three spot. With teams sagging their defenses inside as a result of the longer three-point line, the Bruins need Roll to hit consistently from outside.

But while the returners will be needed to be much improved this season, the Bruins’ success will depend in large part due in large part to the play of the freshmen guards Jrue Holiday, Malcom Lee, and Jerime Anderson.

Ben Howland once again released in one of the best groups of freshman in the country led by Gatorade High School Basketball Player of the Year and McDonald All-American Jrue Holiday from Campbell Hall High School, who is expected to be a one and done star like Kevin Love and O.J. Mayo. is the best of the freshmen group. Holliday, a silky smooth combo guard, has the talent and athleticism to dominate a game and many expect him to start alongside Darren Collison.

On offense Holiday can get to the basket with ease and finish with the best and has a good stroke out to the three, but he also has the court-vision and unselfishness to make the great pass to a teammate. Holiday will start games as the two-guard but look for him to play the point often even when Darren Collison is on the floor. It would not be a surprise if Holiday turns out to be the best player on this team by year end, which would mean another one-and-done star in Westwood.

Just like Holliday, Malcolm Lee also has McDonald’s All-American on his resume. Standing at 6’5, he has the quickness and length to eventually become one of the team’s best on-ball defenders. With his small 180 lb. frame, he will likely have difficulty battling in the paint and will start the season off the bench behind junior Michael Roll as a result. He may eventually move up on the depth chart with continued maturation.

Jerime Anderson will be the team’s primary back up for Collison and Holiday at the point position. Anderson is a steady player who understands how to run an offense and get his teammates involved his in the game.

Rounding out this star studded class of freshman are big men Drew Gordon and J’mison “Bobo” Morgan, who have borth impressed the staff so far. Gordon is known primarily for his defensive skills and shot blocking ability. He’ll need to get a better grasp of the team’s offense before he can become a major contributor. However, he will likely earn some solid minutes because of the energy he injects into the games, specifically with his defense and rebounding.

At this point in time, Morgan is the team’s best low-post presence. At 6’10 and 250 lbs. he has the lower body strength to muscle down and establish good position on in the post. Provided he can develop his offensive game and produce down low, Morgan has the chance to earn major minutes this season. On defense, he’s still a little slow on his rotations and he will need to continue workingon his conditioning and overall stamina.

If some of the returners can step up their game and the young freshmen can develop quickly than this team could very likely equal last year’s success and reach yet another Final Four under Ben Howland.