How did they get here?
Unlike past Bruin teams, this one is not using smoke and
mirrors.
UCLA coach Ben Howland is reshaping the program in his own
image, one predicated on hard work and a never-say-die spirit.
And at no time during the season thus far has that attitude been
more apparent than on the court this past weekend.
Down 16 to Washington State in the second half? No problem.
Down 30-9 to No. 12 Washington? Apparently the Huskies’
lead wasn’t large enough.
Chock-full of young talent, this UCLA team is not folding up in
the face of pressure when many thought it would.
What has eluded the UCLA program for several years ““ a
killer instinct ““ finally looks to be reemerging thanks to a
well-balanced mix of scrappy freshmen and poised seniors.
The result is a team that currently stands atop the Pac-10
standings.
A team that doesn’t know when to quit.
A team that Bruin fans can once again be proud to call their
own.
What needs to change?
For the Bruins to have any long-term success this season, they
need to develop a consistent inside game.
Though this objective may sound like the constant gripe
surrounding the program for the last few years, the fact is UCLA
hasn’t boasted a true force on the blocks since the late
’90s.
While there appear to be three candidates to step up and assume
control of the paint, Michael Fey, Ryan Hollins and Lorenzo Mata
have not proven capable of being that consistent inside presence on
offense.
Of the three, the most likely to step up and become a big threat
on the inside is Fey, who is currently averaging 10 points a game.
If and when that happens, it will spread the floor and open things
up for Bruin shooters, giving UCLA’s offense another
dimension for which opposing teams will have to account on
defense.
As it stands right now, a lot of the pressure on offense is
falling onto the shoulders of Dijon Thompson and Jordan Farmar, but
can they keep this up all season long?
Keep in mind the Bruins are only four games into their Pac-10
season.
The X-factor
Sometimes he makes you stand up and cheer. Other times he makes
you cringe and scratch your head.
But Brian Morrison is the key to UCLA solidifying itself as one
of the Pac-10’s top teams.
When he’s on ““ and he’s been on recently
““ there’s no better shooter in the Pac-10. And
conversely, when he’s struggling, there’s no greater
liability on the UCLA roster.
The senior has notched 15 points or more in each of the
team’s last three games, all Bruin victories.
Coincidence? Don’t think so.
Morrison recently pledged he will not shave his beard until his
hot hand cools off.
Bruin fans are hoping that Morrison looks like Red Sox center
fielder Johnny Damon by season’s end.
Mark it down on the calendar
Saturday, Feb. 12.
The Bruins are traveling to Arizona this Saturday, but the key
game of the season will be their mid-season showdown with the
Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion.
If you’re forgetting how the last two regular season
meetings in Westwood have played out, good for you for repressing
it.
In 2004, Arizona came, saw, and conquered, scoring a 97-72
victory.
A year earlier, the Wildcats embarrassed the Bruins 87-52, the
largest opponent margin of victory in the history of Pauley
Pavilion.
But this year will be different. For starters, Arizona is not
nearly as dominant as it has been, and this year’s Bruin team
is gutty, not gutless.
While Arizona is still considered a tier above UCLA in the
conference, Feb. 12 will be the Bruins’ next realistic
opportunity to prove they truly deserve to be called one of the
Pac-10’s best teams.
That is, if they take care of business until then.
The road ahead
Looking into the immediate future (like tonight), earning a
split this weekend in Arizona won’t change much as far as
this season is concerned. A sweep would be incredible; getting
swept would once again fuel the naysayers.
But talking NCAA Tournament isn’t too unrealistic for this
Bruin squad. With nine wins already under its belt, UCLA will get
into the big dance with 18 victories on name alone. Start counting
down, nine more wins.
But the real future and direction of the Bruin program
doesn’t have its answer in 2005. With a solid core of Farmar,
Arron Afflalo, Josh Shipp and Lorenzo Mata in place and with highly
touted Michael Wright coming in next season, UCLA finally looks to
be reloading for a prolonged run atop the Pac-10.
Compiled by Seth Fast Glass, Bruin Sports senior
staff.