Ben Howland Cracks ESPN's Bottom 10

by charnaw on Feb 16, 2012 7:30 AM PST

I have read this column by Eamonn Brennan each week with the assumption that UCLA would break into his "Bottom 10" at some point. Well, the wait is over. Brennan must read BN because he darn near hits the nail right on the head with such quips as:

A 14-11 overall record in a bad Pac-12 might be enough to keep, say, Craig Robinson safe, but the folks in Westwood rightfully expect much more, and it's been no surprise to see fans vocally abandon their once-loved coach as this disaster of a season wears on.

For those who care to read more, enjoy this.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Comments

What's wrong with being in an ESPN list?

by Nestor on Feb 15, 2012 2:21 PM PST reply actions

I should have edited the quote to say . ..

“. . . this disaster of a season [W]ears on.”

by charnaw on Feb 15, 2012 2:26 PM PST up reply actions

I have been hearing the quip

Howland is “wearing” himself out of the UCLA job.

by Nestor on Feb 15, 2012 2:32 PM PST up reply actions

Gene Blocks

Dan Straps. Ben Wears. Let’s hope Mora continues to bring more to the table (in addition to recruiting)…

Dump Dan!

by bruinclassof10 on Feb 15, 2012 2:35 PM PST up reply actions

What's wrong with the Wears?

by MrGray on Feb 15, 2012 3:31 PM PST up reply actions

How about that?

but the folks in Westwood rightfully expect much more

I guess I wasn’t just being negative after all.

#Optimists

greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com

by gbruin on Feb 15, 2012 4:06 PM PST reply actions

You weren't being negative

You are just a “fanatical blogger.”!

by Nestor on Feb 15, 2012 4:50 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah UCLA basketball fanatics

It’s so crazy that some fanatical UCLA fans are upset with the state of the program. I mean who needs to go to the NCAA tournament every year, our standards aren’t that high. I mean we are not some school where the standard of excellence is so high that only national championship banners get hung up…oh wait a second.

by jwher on Feb 15, 2012 5:07 PM PST reply actions

You ingrates

Can’t you be happy with the fact we are competing for seeding in the PAC-12 tournament?!

by Nestor on Feb 15, 2012 5:43 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

What's wrong with 4 games in 4 days?

by Kenneth Powers on Feb 15, 2012 5:55 PM PST up reply actions

I cant wait to read the "blog"

Before and after the Pac12 tourney.

by Nestor on Feb 15, 2012 6:00 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

GET YOUR NIT TICKETS TODAY

by Kenneth Powers on Feb 15, 2012 6:48 PM PST up reply actions

Thank you Block and DG for ruining our two best sports.

by Bruin'96 on Feb 15, 2012 5:42 PM PST reply actions

And for our next coach?

Mark Few – if that guy can win in Spokane I think he might do okay in Westwood

by charnaw on Feb 15, 2012 6:12 PM PST reply actions

Wonder though if he's like Petersen

If he hasn’t left by now, why not?

by Kenneth Powers on Feb 15, 2012 6:48 PM PST up reply actions

Definitely Petersen 2.0

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Feb 15, 2012 10:09 PM PST up reply actions

Wouldn't Brad Stevens be Petersen 2.0?

by BruinEngy on Feb 15, 2012 11:08 PM PST up reply actions

Anytime you are on a coaching list with Isiah Thomas

you are in big trouble

by DCBruins on Feb 15, 2012 6:20 PM PST reply actions

Better than a summons list?

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Feb 15, 2012 10:10 PM PST up reply actions

Actually for Basketball job security they are similar

signs of serious trouble.

by DCBruins on Feb 16, 2012 7:12 AM PST up reply actions

LOL!

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Feb 16, 2012 9:04 AM PST up reply actions

I noticed that Ben is listed as 10 of 10

So, basically we suck at sucking. Awesome.

Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. ~ Vince Lombardi

by MexiBruin on Feb 16, 2012 10:21 AM PST reply actions

I see what you did there...

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Feb 16, 2012 10:44 AM PST up reply actions

Ben can't even suck right

by charnaw on Feb 16, 2012 11:33 AM PST up reply actions

OUCH

A 14-11 overall record in a bad Pac-12 might be enough to keep, say, Craig Robinson safe

Then again, sometimes the truth hurts. I guess success is all relative.

by scotty256 on Feb 16, 2012 11:46 AM PST reply actions

is Craig Robinson related to someone or something to have this kind of job security?

by Nestor on Feb 16, 2012 12:04 PM PST up reply actions

Whats wrong with Craig Robinson?

by charnaw on Feb 16, 2012 12:10 PM PST up reply actions

Haha

And Brock Osweiler is 6’8", you know ;)

What I meant is that before Robinson, I think we went winless in the Pac-10 and the B-Ball program was in extremely sorry shape. We’re not world-beaters now by any means, but things have been getting better, so it’s “success”…. I think. The jury’s still out on CR here in Beaver Nation from what I can tell. This was supposed to be a banner year, and it got off to a promising start. However, some disappointing losses are having some of us wondering what is going on. (10-point loss to ASU? Two overtime/4-OT losses?)

I personally think he should get another year since this was his first year of having all his recruits in, and it’s going okay. Given recent history, a season above .500 is “success”, so I think things are going in the right direction. We’re nervous, though.

by scotty256 on Feb 16, 2012 12:17 PM PST up reply actions