Two and five: it’s the worst start to a UCLA men’s basketball
season since 1987-88.
But as far as the nation is concerned, the Bruin are 0-3 after a
third nationally televised loss Saturday, 81-76 at the hands of
Michigan.
The entire collegiate world is watching and it isn’t pretty.
"They’re putting us on television because people know what we’re
capable of doing," sophomore guard Cedric Bozeman said. "We just
need to step up to the plate."
So far UCLA has been seen losing on CBS three times – against
Michigan, No. 3 Duke, and No. 19 Kansas. Four nationally televised
games remain – two more with CBS and two with ABC.
In the three losses, the Bruins have averaged 73 points while
their
opponents averaged 84. While two of the losses came against
ranked teams, the other three came against unranked squads.
For now the players would appreciate simple wins going into
conference play, regardless of the national exposure.
"Everyone has pride and we never want to look like those guys
from UCLA that can’t win," senior guard Ray Young said. "We have
great players and we just want to win."
In the past the Bruins have done rather well in the national
scene, winning nine of 19 nationally televised games and five of
eight in the NCAA tournament over the last three seasons.
"NCAA tournaments and conference titles are byproducts of
playing good basketball," head coach Steve Lavin said. "You hope
that your losses provide an impetus and a resolve to not let this
happen again."
In a best-case scenario, the Bruins will take these words to
heart when they enter the March spotlight
While it has happened in the past, this year it might not be so
easy. The Bruins are struggling and everyone is noticing.
ESPN has given whole segments to the woes of the Bruins, and the
nation knows that things may not be right in Westwood.
"Every team that plays UCLA is coming out to beat us," sophomore
guard Ryan Walcott said. "We don’t care about television, we just
want to get better."
Sitting at last place in the Pac-10 based on overall records and
losing in front of the nation clearly doesn’t worry the players as
much as losing in general.
"There’s no team we can’t play with," sophomore forward Josiah
Johnson said. "We need to see it through and get the W."
But common sense dictates that the NCAA won’t respect UCLA’s
capabibility until the Bruins get that win.
Their next chance comes against No. 4 Arizona in three weeks on
ABC.