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 […]
Author Archives: Andrew Finley
M. basketball: Point guard’s focus is defense
As a high school prospect, Jordan Farmar was highly touted for his offensive prowess. Yet as he prepares for his first official collegiate game this Saturday against Chicago State, the freshman point guard realizes he will need to do more than score points and dish out assists to live up to the lofty expectations bestowed […]
USC’s glitz can’t woo a true Bruin
Outside of a study group for a lower division oceanography class, it was probably the last place I’d imagine myself on a Saturday night in November. Surrounded by 80,000 people who would have cursed or spat on me if they found out where I came from, there I stood, a UCLA student on the sideline […]
Basketball: Courting youth
Taylor King is the worm caught by the early bird. A little over a year ago when his classmates were deciding where to attend high school, King was settling on a college. Already a hot commodity in recruiting circles because of his 6-foot-6 frame and smooth outside shot, King committed to UCLA just a few […]
M. basketball: Shipp may help to make up for loss of Bozeman
With Cedric Bozeman out for the season, all the focus appears to be on how the point guard situation will unfold. But the player who could make the biggest impact in Bozeman’s absence according to UCLA coach Ben Howland won’t be asked to be the team’s floor general. Freshman Josh Shipp, a 6-foot-6 wing out […]
[Online] Football: Cougars edge out Bruins 31-29
After a nice dose of bliss last weekend, UCLA fans were treated to a bitter taste of reality Saturday during the Bruins’ 31-29 loss to Washington State at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins got off to a slow start and never completely recovered. Receiver Tab Perry fumbled the opening kick off, giving the Cougars the […]
M. basketball: Coaches expect a tougher Pac-10
It hasn’t happened in ten years, and the coaches at Pac-10 Men’s Basketball Media Day certainly don’t anticipate it happening again this year. Last season, only three Pac-10 teams reached the NCAA tournament, and not one of them made it to the Sweet-16. This year, however, many of the league’s coaches, including UCLA men’s basketball’s […]