UCLA Basketball Media Day, Part 1

Today was the debut of the 2007-08 UCLA basketball team, decked out in new uniforms with a bright-gold "C" instead of the normal all-blue "UCLA" to commemorate the school’s achievement in being the first to win 100 NCAA team championships.

Bruin Coach Ben Howland was understated but excited about the prospects for what many believe is the No. 1 team in the nation, with freshman Kevin Love literally the "center of attention."

"He’s the best outlet passer ever at the high school level,"  Howland said. "He’s really going to be fun for our guards to try to get deep outlets. The thing I appreciate most about him is his unselfishness and his ability to pass. He’s a very good low-post scorer; he’s got a nice touch, even from three-point range. He makes his foul shots. And he’s a great competitor; he really wants to be good.

"All good players want to play with other good players. He’s definitely going to make it easier for our perimeter players to get open because [teams] are going to have to be concerned with him as a low post scorer. If they double him, he’s going to hit guys who are wide open. He’s a very good passer to cutters, so it’s only going to enhance the chemistry of the team."

And Howland was almost salivating at the possibilities of having overwhelming power on the front line for the first time in his tenure at UCLA. "We’re going to play bigger. There will definitely be times where we’re going to have Kevin and Lorenzo [Mata-Real] in together at the same time.

"Alfred [Aboya] is a better shooter than he was a year ago. You watch him shoot the ball now and you’ll be surprised in the improvement he’s made over the summer.

"Luc [Richard Mbah A Moute] looks very good right now. We’re excited about his progress, particularly his ability to shoot. Luc is one of the few guys in college basketball that can guard a ‘1' (point guard) through a ‘5' (center). That kind of versatility is rare."

With emotional leader and shut-down defender Aaron Afflalo gone to the NBA, Howland was asked about replacing that toughness and defensive leadership. He was enthusiastic about the overall leadership qualities on the team and the defensive abilities of not only the pesky Darren Collison and the bigger and more rugged Russell Westbrook, but also senior wing Josh Shipp. "I really thought Josh played good defense for us last year in the tournament," Howland said. "Whenever Josh really gets excited about stopping somebody, he can be very good defensively."

Asked about another trip to the Final Four, Howland focused on what he sees as the gateway: winning the Pac-10. Being the conference champion probably will carry with it a top seed in the NCAA Tournament and pairings in the western regional, but Howland warned of tough times ahead: "Winning the Pac-10 will be, by far, harder this year than it has been in the history of the Pac-10, top to bottom. There’s no night off in the Pac-10. So it’s going to be tough."

Every opponent will be saying the same about the Bruins.

Comments

[MICHAEL L.]

UCLA probably has the best team in the country, unfortunately who's going to notice with that hideously ugly gold "C" on its jerseys taking all the focus away from the players and their outstanding play. Hopefully the powers that be in the Morgan Center will get rid of that horrible "C" and replace it with something with class more befitting the UCLA program.

[B. Reed]

I have to agree with Michael L. The bright gold C on our jersey is laughably ugly. Is it too late to change it?

[CHARISSE]

If this years Bruin basketball squad has any weaknesses, I'll be darned if I can see any. With the addition of Love in particular, everry piece of the puzzle is in place.

And oh, yes, I agree that the gold C on the jerseys looks like a cheap party favor. Did they pay someone to come up with that?