How much are 3 straight final fours worth when you lose to Middle Tennessee State by 20 points? That is the question many UCLA fans are asking right now. The formally #17 ranked Bruins are in full-blown crisis mode two games into the season, and some of the blame has to be placed on head coach, Ben Howland. First let's take a look on why UCLA fans should be genuinely worried about this season.
1. They lost two straight games to mid-majors.
Losing to Loyola Marymout by 11 in their first game, the Bruins, with arguably one of the best frontcourts in the nation, outrebounded LMU by 1. "That was a very disappointing way to start our season off," said coach Ben Howland. "It's a bad loss for us. I've been saying it, we have a long way to go." Still, these things happen in the beginning of the season, and you had to assume it was a bit of an aberration. LMU shot 10-15 on 3 pointers vs. UCLA's 2-15. C Josh Smith's tweet "Just lost to some straight bums lol." did not help matters.
However, after the 86-66 loss against Middle Tennessee State, Bruin fans have to be worried. After 58 combined minutes, the Wear twins combined for 6 rebounds, the team was outrebounded by 5, got poor play from PG Lazeric Jones for the second game, and look to have absolutely no real threats from 3 point range by shooting an abysmal 4-20. Let's just say Reeves Nelson's tweet sums it up: "Wow."
Losing to Loyola Marymout by 11 in their first game, the Bruins, with arguably one of the best frontcourts in the nation, outrebounded LMU by 1. "That was a very disappointing way to start our season off," said coach Ben Howland. "It's a bad loss for us. I've been saying it, we have a long way to go." Still, these things happen in the beginning of the season, and you had to assume it was a bit of an aberration. LMU shot 10-15 on 3 pointers vs. UCLA's 2-15. C Josh Smith's tweet "Just lost to some straight bums lol." did not help matters.
However, after the 86-66 loss against Middle Tennessee State, Bruin fans have to be worried. After 58 combined minutes, the Wear twins combined for 6 rebounds, the team was outrebounded by 5, got poor play from PG Lazeric Jones for the second game, and look to have absolutely no real threats from 3 point range by shooting an abysmal 4-20. Let's just say Reeves Nelson's tweet sums it up: "Wow."
2. Speaking of Reeves Nelson, he seems to really be unhappy at UCLA.
The hard-working, undersized forward had some dominant games last year, and plays some of the most inspired basketball when in the right mindset. He was suspended from the game vs. Mid. Tennessee State after not showing up at practice, and his prep coach is suggesting counseling for the big man. He seemed to ignore the coaches in the LMU game. Josh Smith let on that Nelson may be thinking of quitting the team. Asked whether he had spoken to Nelson about his status, [Joshua] Smith appeared to indicate that Nelson was thinking of quitting the team. "I’ve talked to him, but there’s not really any information to tell me where he’s leaning," Smith said. "I want him to stay." Given this and his talk with Coach Howland, it is obvious he is pretty unhappy with his role on the loaded frontcourt.
The hard-working, undersized forward had some dominant games last year, and plays some of the most inspired basketball when in the right mindset. He was suspended from the game vs. Mid. Tennessee State after not showing up at practice, and his prep coach is suggesting counseling for the big man. He seemed to ignore the coaches in the LMU game. Josh Smith let on that Nelson may be thinking of quitting the team. Asked whether he had spoken to Nelson about his status, [Joshua] Smith appeared to indicate that Nelson was thinking of quitting the team. "I’ve talked to him, but there’s not really any information to tell me where he’s leaning," Smith said. "I want him to stay." Given this and his talk with Coach Howland, it is obvious he is pretty unhappy with his role on the loaded frontcourt.
3. Lack of any semblance of a backcourt.
Remember how good Villanova was with a four guard set? Well, that doesn't work with four big men. Honestly, at this point none of UCLA's guards look cut out for Pac-12 play, and it is not like they have Kevin Love in the front court. Josh Smith is still out of shape, the Wear twins can't rebound, and Nelson is suspended.
Remember how good Villanova was with a four guard set? Well, that doesn't work with four big men. Honestly, at this point none of UCLA's guards look cut out for Pac-12 play, and it is not like they have Kevin Love in the front court. Josh Smith is still out of shape, the Wear twins can't rebound, and Nelson is suspended.
Now that leaves us with the Ben Howland question:
Should he be fired?
While the 3 straight final fours definitely gives him some wiggle room, the fact the lost to Middle Tennessee State is not even a headline on ESPN's college basketball page is a huge issue. This is UCLA, a blueblood program, and there is not even enough surprise at the lost to warrant a front page story on the college basketball page. UCLA should, based on name alone, be in the top 3 every year in the PAC-12, and be at least a sweet 16 team. It is also clear that Howland is not a players coach (although either is Jim Calhoun).
Despite all this, I would say that Howland is still in decent position to keep his job, but securing a commitment from 2012 #1 recruit Shabazz Muhammad would pretty much lock things up for him to get at least one more year. That would give him a top 5 recruiting class (with Kyle Anderson already in the fold), and although it is possible to save a great recruiting class when hiring another coach (see Arkansas), I would really doubt any AD would fire him after locking up that type of class. So while this is looking like a rough year for Bruin fans, I am going to guess that nothing comes out of the many Bruin fans' pleas to fire Howland.
UCLA started off poorly last year and ended up not doing too bad but things do seem to be in crisis mode right now. Guess this makes Cal the favorite in the Pac-12. Romar always gets good teams at the University of Washington as well.
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