Using very different instruments, Ben Howland has orchestrated
similarly successful turn-around symphonies at two very different
schools.
In his second season at UCLA, he is looking to arrange yet
another.
At Northern Arizona and Pittsburgh, Howland revived struggling
programs through a system emphasizing physical strength and
defensive toughness first. The irony was how markedly different the
system manifested itself on the court.
While Howland is stressing the same things at UCLA, an equally
successful result may take on a third new look.
“Every year you try to play good defense, outboard your
opponents, take good shots, and be smart in terms of shot
selection,” Howland said. “Those are things
you’ll never alter. In terms of how you run certain sets or
do certain things to get people the ball, that changes with
personnel.”
With the highly touted freshman class drastically changing the
complexion of this year’s team, certain changes are
definitely in order. Players have noted that although they must
adopt their coach’s philosophy, Howland himself has adapted
his coaching to this team’s make-up.
“We really want to push the ball this year,”
starting point guard Jordan Farmar said. “I can’t walk
the ball up the floor and wait for my teammates. He wants me to run
past everybody and try to make some plays. He’s definitely
implemented the transition game, so hopefully we can get a lot of
easy buckets out of that.”
The promise of an up-tempo offense offers a distinct contrast to
the Bruins’ slower and more methodical approach last year.
More than anything, it reflects Howland’s ability to maximize
the potential of team.
While at Pittsburgh, Howland had a core of bruising players who
fit in well with the punishing style of play in the Big-East
conference. But with a different batch of athletes competing in a
different atmosphere at UCLA, there’s only so much that can
remain the same.
“Once we get in the half-court we have a lot of the same
sets they ran, but overall the team’s objective is totally
different,” Farmar said of the differences between
Howland’s Panthers’ teams and this year’s UCLA
squad.
This won’t be the first time Howland has altered his
offense. Before all the hype surrounding his big, physical teams at
Pittsburgh, Howland had been known for crafting pinpoint shooting
squads. His last three Northern Arizona teams in the late 1990s
each led the nation in three point shooting percentage and finished
first or second in field goal percentage as well.
Now, with the quickness and depth he has in this year’s
backcourt, Howland may yet establish a third trademark with the
potential of this team’s run-and-gun offense.
“I think it’s really smart,” Farmar said of
his coach’s willingness to adapt to the freshmen.
“You’re only as good as your personnel. We can’t
play the power game and back everyone down all night if we
don’t have the personnel to do it. We have the horses to get
out and run, so it’s great we’re going to use
them.”
Howland, meanwhile, would prefer not to be constrained to a
singular mold for his teams.
“I’m greedy. I want it all,” Howland said.
“I want good 3-point shooters who are really aggressive
defenders and tough. I want the whole package.”
If he gets it, Bruin fans will be in for a treat. It may be the
symphony of a lifetime.