February 2, 2007
Great Win For Howland And Team
What a great coach. Ben Howland. Not enough great things can be said about him, how he coaches, how he recruits, how he prepares for games, how he adjusts during games, how he keeps the team focused, how he handles adversity, how he handles losses, how he deals with the press. He took responsibility for the loss at Stanford, didn’t throw out cliches, didn’t throw his kids or assistants under the bus. He explains in technical terms, in basketball terms, what happens in games, what he tries to achieve, where things went right, where things went wrong. You hear the same from the players, teenagers most of them, acting and talking like pros. Getting an education in basketball and in life … we know who that sounds like.
And Ben Howland is where he wants to be. Coaching at UCLA is HIS dream. It is the pinnacle of where he wants to be as a coach. You see that on the court during games, during time outs, on the pre- and post-game interviews, out on the recruiting trail. His passion for basketball, for teaching, for UCLA is on his face, his sleeve, in his voice, and in his eyes. The team soaks it up. It makes them smart, it makes them calculating, it makes them cool under pressure, it makes them unrelenting on defense, it makes them work hard, it makes them want to win. And they are winning, with amazing strength despite their obvious weaknesses, yet surprising no one now like they did last year.
In the post-game interview on AM 570 Ben Howland said he was proud how during one turnover and fast break Collison pulled up when he saw there was nothing immediately there, didn’t force it, then delayed to a cutting Schipp down low for an open dunk. Howland said he smiled and looked up for Coach Wooden. He said he knew Coach would be proud too. Priceless.
Ben Howland is reaching the peak of his profession, and the scary thing for all our foes is he is only just beginning. His true value is years from being fully realized and appreciated. We get to watch it in person, be along for the great ride. We are fortunate to have a true coach like Howland. He reminds us of the excellence that graces our university and our community. Go Bruins!!
8 Comments on Great Win For Howland And Team
February 2, 2007
colonybruin @ 9:35 pm:
howland’s one flaw is offense __ the kids don’t know how to start their offense the kids are not clicking __ maybe howland should watch some wooden team film , but howland needs to change his off. coaching in practice
February 3, 2007
wmm @ 8:26 am:
Well said, DD. Howland is the best thing that’s happened to UCLA men’s athletics since … Wooden.
Stan Gomez @ 12:34 pm:
Colony Bruin,
The only thing I dont care for concerning the Bruin Offense is slowing the game down with 5 minutes plus to go with a double digit lead. Each time this is done, we allow the opposing teams to gain some momentum and get back in the game. It drives me crazy to watch the Bruins run the shot clock down and then force up a bad shot with seconds left, then giving up a quick 2 or 3 and the process continues on the next possessions. Love to see the Bruins keep being aggressive the entire game offensively and add to our leads.
colonybruin @ 8:13 pm:
Stan, Howland has a ‘rep’ as a defensive great . . . BUT nobody says he is any good at offense __ no one even talks about his offensive coaching __ the kids do-not know how to start the game offensively _ the kids do-not know how to attack a half-court or zone defense _ this is because , howland does not know how to coach offense __this is why howland is so ‘big’ on defenive side __ whatever howland does in practice stinks …. what is worse is that the kids are blaming themselves , which only puts more pressure on the kids __ add to that howland recruited Mata . who has no offesive game … so on offense, we have only a ‘ 4′ man offense __ people who do-not have an offensive game , do not belong on the college level ( not at u.c.l.a.)_ this just makes it harder on the kids to win
February 4, 2007
DumpDorrell @ 11:40 am:
colony … you could not be more wrong about Howland. We win games because of our defense, but without an offense we would lose. Our players are doing just fine … have you taken a look at our record lately? Have you seen how calm and poised and focused they are at the end of close games? We have broken the zone, many times. The offense is DESIGNED to be methodical, slow. Just because you don’t like it, that it isn’t a run and gun or whatever offense you want, doesn’t mean it’s not an offense.
The one loss to Stanford was due to the extra day of practice that Howland had them go through. It made them tired in the second half of that game. We will crush them when they come to Pauley. Mata is a defensive player, his role is what it is. Lighten up, we have one of the top teams in the country, #1 in RPI, and we lost 3 of our starters from last year and have not 1 senior starting. If Dorrell had the football team playing with 10% of the effectiveness Howland has the bb team playing we probably would shut down this site.
Stan Gomez @ 8:04 pm:
Colonybruin,
You are alittle harsh on Howlands offense. He does have good game plans with good ball movement, looking inside first. I love the high screens, setting up backdoors & dunks. High percentage shots are expected in his offense and we see that except for the last few minutes of the games protecting a lead. Of course, that didnt matter in the OSU game. Come wednesday nite, lets keep pouring it on those bums and not let up. By the way, Ben Howland is the best coach UCLA has had since Larry Brown. I also agree that Mata is a defensive player. Hard to find a big man that is excellent at both. Except for the kid I saw last nite, Kevin Love. He is the real deal. So ease up on Ben Howland, I was n’t complaining about his coaching, just an armchair observation.
February 5, 2007
colonybruin @ 1:11 am:
I am just saying that Howland is far from perfect _ he is still learning _ when the kids start games in an effective structured offense, that knows how to attack a zone def. or a slow-down team , then you guys can call Howland great _ my concern is the kids _ I do-not worship coaches . . when you pay someone over a million bucks , people should state you are an excellent off. coach , not just defense __ when that happens, then you will see the kids playing excellent and doing it in an effort-less manner
BillSouthBay @ 9:48 am:
BH is a very effective coach. When the players comments about their role in a mistake/loss, all that tells me is that BH has taught them what personal responsibility is all about. BH himself takes personal responsibility. What a refreshing change IMO!!! I believe a core to BH strategy is to organize the team so that when they are on the road, at Pullman/Tucson, etc. their style will be effective and a winning style of game. I believe we have seen that and, guess what? The players buy into it 100%, and as he recruits more classes, it will even improve. Have you read of any players on the UCLA BB team who are spouting in the press about lack of playing time, etc? NO. Why is that? Because BH anticipates all these agendas, has discussed with the players how playing time is earned, and consequently, his respect among the players is high. And, of course, they are winning, and that is what this is all about. Give him the benefit of the doubt on why we don’t score 100 points a game, and give him some credit for having figured this all out long ago.
Now, contrast that with the other program…….
Bill