UCLA Expects To Rebound After Rough Season

The Associated Press

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/ad-ucla-mens-basketball-coach-howland-to-remain-in-charge-of-program/2012/03/13/gIQAjWpv9R_story.html

Coming off what he calls the most disappointing season of his coaching career, Ben Howland said Tuesday that he’s intent on changing the culture of the once-storied UCLA basketball program, which staggered through a year that included an NCAA snub and the dismissal of standout player Reeves Nelson.

“This is UCLA, the expectations are higher than anywhere, Howland said. The success, both in terms of championships and wins and success off the floor, is second-to-none in college basketball. I know the expectation level and no one has higher expectations than me. This has been very disappointing for me.”

The Bruins finished fifth in the conference for the second straight year and lost in the quarterfinals of the league tournament, giving them a 19-14 record. They were left out of the NCAA tournament and even the NIT didn’t take them, though it did take four other Pac-12 teams.

It was the third consecutive season in which the Bruins recorded double-digit losses following three consecutive trips to the Final Four.

Nelson was suspended twice before being kicked off the team in December for bad behavior.

UCLA’s struggles were magnified by a Sports Illustrated article that anonymously quoted former players and staff members from the past four UCLA teams saying Howland had allowed an influx of talented but immature recruits to undermine team discipline and morale. The story suggested the program that boasts a record 11 national championships had been damaged by fights among players and alcohol and drug use by team members.

UCLA Expects To Rebound After Rough Season

The Associated Press

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/ad-ucla-mens-basketball-coach-howland-to-remain-in-charge-of-program/2012/03/13/gIQAjWpv9R_story.html

Coming off what he calls the most disappointing season of his coaching career, Ben Howland said Tuesday that he’s intent on changing the culture of the once-storied UCLA basketball program, which staggered through a year that included an NCAA snub and the dismissal of standout player Reeves Nelson.

“This is UCLA, the expectations are higher than anywhere, Howland said. The success, both in terms of championships and wins and success off the floor, is second-to-none in college basketball. I know the expectation level and no one has higher expectations than me. This has been very disappointing for me.”

The Bruins finished fifth in the conference for the second straight year and lost in the quarterfinals of the league tournament, giving them a 19-14 record. They were left out of the NCAA tournament and even the NIT didn’t take them, though it did take four other Pac-12 teams.

It was the third consecutive season in which the Bruins recorded double-digit losses following three consecutive trips to the Final Four.

Nelson was suspended twice before being kicked off the team in December for bad behavior.

UCLA’s struggles were magnified by a Sports Illustrated article that anonymously quoted former players and staff members from the past four UCLA teams saying Howland had allowed an influx of talented but immature recruits to undermine team discipline and morale. The story suggested the program that boasts a record 11 national championships had been damaged by fights among players and alcohol and drug use by team members.