INDIANAPOLIS — 1980: The last year there was no No. 1 seed in
the Final Four.
Two: The number of times in the last 26 years the Bruins
advanced to the Final Four.
Zero: The combined number of national championships claimed by
the other three teams in the Final Four.
What does this all mean for UCLA? Well, it means that, despite
being projected to have a better team next season, this might be
No. 2-seeded UCLA’s best chance to win a national title in a long
time.
After all, this is the Bruin team that has overcome an abundance
of injuries and was projected to finish third in the Pac-10 at the
beginning of the season.
It is the team that went on an 11-0 run and miraculously
defeated Gonzaga in the Sweet 16.
It is labeled by many as a team of destiny.
Even the legendary coach John Wooden himself didn’t believe the
Bruins had a chance to reach the Final Four this season.
"I know they had a lot of depth and talent, but I didn’t think
it would come together so soon," Wooden said. "But now that we’re
here, you know who my favorite to win is."
So when UCLA takes the court against current favorite LSU on
Saturday, there is no reason the Bruins should think about or point
to next year as their best shot at a title.
LSU may be bigger, stronger, and have more hoopla after beating
powerhouse Duke, but UCLA has a tradition for a reason.
Some people have said UCLA would be the Cinderella team of the
tournament if it wasn’t for George Mason, but I say heck with that.
The Bruins should follow the guidance of sophomore Arron Afflalo,
who acts like he expects to be here.
"I’m not cocky and arrogant getting here at all," Affalo said.
"But now that we are here, I feel that we have an opportunity to
win, and we should win if we keep playing the way we have been
playing."
The Bruins, after all, have the legacy, the Pac-10 Coach of the
Year in Ben Howland, and a nine-man rotation that no other team
left in the tournament shares.
They are the highest-seeded team still playing in the
tournament, and they were the only team in the Final Four actually
ranked in the Associated Press preseason Top-25 poll.
Granted, most of the Bruins will be returning next season, will
have one more year of experience under their belt, and will be
accompanied by two outstanding incoming freshmen.
Sure, they are likely to be one of the preseason top-five teams
in the country next season, but what does that do for you? Look
what that expectation did for this year’s top five.
Duke? Out in the Sweet 16.
U. Conn.? Out in the Elite Eight.
Texas? Out in the Elite Eight.
Villanova? Out in the Elite Eight.
Michigan State? Out in the first round.
The likelihood of the Bruins even reaching the Final Four next
season is not a statistical probability. Bruin fans, especially the
students, should approach this Tournament as an once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.
Afflalo does.
"I appreciate it. I know exactly how hard it is," Afflalo said.
"We were 17 down against Gonzaga, so I know we are very fortunate
to be here."
So for all you students: Enjoy this tournament run unlike any
other because you’re not likely to see it again as a student.
Enjoy it because the seniors have seen seasons with records of
9-17 and 11-18.
Enjoy it because we have seen Pauley Pavilion half empty during
a Pac-10 regular-season game, and we never want to see that
again.
Heck, enjoy it because the Bruins are in the Final Four and you
can tell your grandchildren that your school was in the Final Four
during your time there.
So Bruin fans, don’t say, "Wait until next year." Start
chanting, "This is our year."
Listen to Afflalo, and you’ll know why.
"This is definitely our opportunity, one you would hate to lose
out on," he said. "Cedric Bozeman and Ryan Hollins are still here,
and we’re going to lose those two guys next year. So this is
something we definitely want to, and need to, capitalize on right
now."
E-mail Parikh at sparikh@media.ucla.edu if you had UCLA and
Florida projected to be in the national championship game.