Pac-10 Basketball Media Day I: 'We have a chance to have a very good year'

UCLA Coach Ben Howland was the final speaker at Thursday’s Pac-10 Conference Men’s Basketball Media Day at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, but he had plenty to say.

He immediately noted that "our biggest thing that I have no control over is our health," and went on to detail a minor shoulder injury suffered Tuesday by forward Luc Richard Mbah A Moute. An X-ray showed no damage. "It’s just a contusion, a bruise, it should heal," Howland said. "Luc may be out again today; it’s likely he will be."

About the Bruins’ prospects for the year — they were picked to win the Pac-10 by 33 of 34 writers in the annual preseason poll — he was understated. "We’re really excited about our team this year; the core group is returning from two Final Fours in a row, and adding the best high school player in the country in Kevin Love. We have a chance to have a very good year provided we stay healthy."

He drew a hearty laugh from reporters when asked if freshman Kevin Love would start, saying, "Yeah, I’d say there’s a good chance of that.

"Right now — I’ll tell you this today since we play tomorrow — [Darren] Collison, [Josh] Shipp, Luc Richard Mbah A Moute and Kevin are starting for sure. I’ve got to figure out who the fifth starter is, and how that’s going to make us be the best we can be to start games and finish games. There are certain lineups that will make us better defensively; there are certain lineups that will make us better offensively.

"We’re going to be able to play a lot of combinations. We may start Luc at the "3" [small forward] or start him at the "4" [power forward]. We’ll figure it out in the next two weeks what’s best for us. I’m not one that likes to bounce around. Once we get a lineup, I’d like to stick with that lineup."

Asked who could be the fifth starter, Howland said, "It could be Alfred [Aboya], it could be Lorenzo [Mata-Real], it could be Russell Westbrook, or Michael [Roll]. Regardless of who does start, all of those guys are going to play a significant role."

Howland also was asked about the progress of some of the Bruin players:

>> On Love: "Kevin is a very good low-post scorer, and he really knows how to use his body. He really does a great job of sealing with his body, which is something that a lot of kids take a whole to learn how to do. The thing that strikes me the most about Kevin is just what a hard worker and a great teammate he is. He’s all about winning, he has a really great work ethic and he has a great desire to reach his potential."

>> On Roll: "Mike’s shot the ball better than I’ve ever seen him shoot it in his three years. Whether he starts or not, I’m still am not sure, but he’s sure going to get a lot of minutes."

>> On Nikola Dragovic: "Nikola is really shooting the ball well as well, like Mike. He’s one of our best shooters, with range. He’s improved his defensive ability and learned a lot in the last year about what’s expected at that end of the floor. He has some versatility because he can play the 4 for us, as he had to yesterday in practice, because Luc was out. And he can also play some 3. He gives us a very good zone-buster."

Given the varying injuries to Bruin players so far in practice, Howland was asked if things were too rough. "I don’t think our practices are that much different than other good teams," he said. "Lute [Olson]'s got three guys who are out right now, SC has a number of guys who are hurt or injured. When you have really good, strong athletes that can jump high, that are quick, that are physical, that are playing, injuries happen. And that’s the tough part that you have no control over.

"We want to be a team that plays physical basketball, sets good screens and blocks out and does the little things that are difference makers. That’s the way the game is meant to be played. We want to practice how you play [in games]."

Howland ended with an interesting note about Pauley Pavilion and one of the things that makes it unique. "It is probably the most historical college basketball facility in the country, where 11 [NCAA championship] banners do hang. We’re the only program that I’m aware of that doesn’t put up Final Four banners or Pac-10 championships. So it is a very special building. We’re excited about the potential for renovation, which would occur two years from now. I have confidence that it’s going to happen."

Ben Howland photo courtesy UCLA