There are certain topics Ben Howland doesn’t like to talk about, like the next opponent on the Bruins’ schedule.
It may be cliche to take things “one game at a time” but that is the mantra of UCLA’s men’s basketball coach. Even during the rigorous Pac-12 schedule, where games come in pairs and are separated by only one day, Howland won’t start preparations for the second opponent until the game against the first is over.
But on Selection Sunday, after the bracket was revealed, even Howland had to make a remark about what could lie ahead for the Bruins.
It’s the seven-letter F-word that has haunted Howland for the better part of his coaching career at UCLA.
Florida.
It’s a hypothetical situation, but the Bruins and Gators could have yet another NCAA Tournament showdown. For that to happen, No. 3 Florida would have to beat No. 14 Northwestern State and No. 6 UCLA would have to beat No. 11 Minnesota in Friday’s second round.
That’s a tall order in March, but merely being in the same region of the bracket as Florida was enough for Howland to briefly mention who could be on the horizon as he addressed the team after the bracket was revealed.
“He still remembers that,” sophomore guard Norman Powell said. “He’s looking to get back at them, but at the same time he’s ready and focused on this game (against Minnesota). … That’s probably the furthest I’ve seen him look ahead. But that’s not his (current) mindset. He said something about it, then went right back to where we needed to be.”
Howland was less than willing to admit to his talking point.
“I don’t remember saying that,” Howland said.
His memory may be selective, but ours isn’t.
Florida has been UCLA’s undoing thrice: in the 2006 national title game, the 2007 national semifinal and the 2011 third round. The first two were double-digit losses while the third was a close defeat in front of a partial crowd in Tampa, Fla.
Maybe it was fate that set the Bruins and Gators up for a potential rematch, a fact that was certainly on Howland’s mind.
Compiled by Ryan Menezes, Bruin Sports senior staff.