ON TO SAN ANTONIO & ETCHED IN BRUIN LORE

by Nestor on Mar 29, 2008 8:04 PM PDT in Basketball Comment 26 comments

Just in case the losers from the local MSM need a little help, Pete Thamel from the paper of record provides a little clinic on how it's done (emphasis added throughout):

Since John Wooden retired in 1975, U.C.L.A. has spent the better part of three decades trying to replace him.

They have gone through eight coaches, seeing everything from a classic Larry Brown two-year drive-by to the successful but ethically challenged tenure of Jim Harrick.

But in luring Ben Howland back home to Southern California from Pittsburgh in 2003, U.C.L.A. finally appears to have found the right coach to rebuild a dynasty in Westwood.

In beating third-seeded Xavier, 76-57, Howland has led his top-seeded Bruins to the Final Four for the third consecutive season.

This marks the first time since Wooden's tenure as head coach that U.C.L.A. has reached the Final Four in three consecutive seasons. It also puts Howland in elite contemporary company; Michigan State's Tom Izzo and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski are the only coaches to lead their programs to three consecutive Final Fours since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

You have to read the entire article. Perhaps I appreciated even more given the garbage and nonsense we have been subjected to from the idiots in the local media in last few days. It ends with this:

Love's spurt late in the first half carried over the second half. And that ended with him on a ladder, cutting down a net. The Bruins earned a spot in San Antonio and Howland further entrenched his spot in Bruins lore. Two more victories and then U.C.L.A. can hang a banner.

Banner or not as Thamel noted he has already etched his legacy in our Bruin lore:

Photo Credit:AP Photo/Matt York (via ESPN)

And just think Robert Kuwada from the OC Register insulted him by calling out our the coaching matchup as "even" for two straight games. What did Love say about Karma? It's a ___.

So much more to come. So much more to talk about.

But for now the night belongs to the best basketball coach in America. It belongs to our Ben Ball warriors. And it belongs to all of us. Keep celebrating.

Consider this another Final 4 celebration victory thread.

GO BRUINS.

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Congrats to our Bruins!!!

3rd time's a charm! Go Bruins!

by mark the bruin on Mar 29, 2008 8:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

last game

I knew UCLA was capable of a game like they played against Xavier, so it's great to see them do it. I have no doubt they can beat anyone in the country. After watching that UNC game it is cemented in my mind.

by njbruin on Mar 29, 2008 8:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

North Carolina looked very beatable tonight

they allowed Louisville shoot .527 from the field, and that is including Louisville chucking it in at the end.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Mar 29, 2008 8:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Louisville really beat themselves

at the end with the silly turnovers. Game comeback tho.

by UCLAMD89 on Mar 29, 2008 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome

As NJ wrote, this was the game we were hoping for and got. We are spoiled, and I am loving it. Thank you Coach Howland and go Bruins!

Vaya con dios.

by boston bruin on Mar 29, 2008 8:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is what can happen

when the bruins play 40 minutes with intensity. It looks like Coach Howland took the "teachable moment" that was the Western Kentucky game, and taught. As a great coach should.

Here's to 2 more, just like tonight.

by jlazarus on Mar 29, 2008 8:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This Feels Like The Old Days

CBH represents the tradition so well.

He's more than a good coach. He is really a stand up guy and good human being.

He has brought the program back by recruiting the right kids and teaching them well.

There are so many things to like -- but one that really stands out, he really has his players' backs. He has never thrown a player under the bus. He protects them from the press. He calls bullshit on stupid questions.

I find it laughable that anyone could rate him "even" with any coach, even a good coach. For example, who made the right adjustments at the half? Who always makes them?

You have to believe that the crap people said about CBH this week was part of the reason this team came out and played 40 great minutes against a very good team. Somewhere last week I heard a player comment, in an interview, on how they wanted to put CBH on the list of coaches who had gone to 3 straight Final Fours. They did that. Now, I'm sure they will want to get him off the list of best coaches who have never won a banner.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 29, 2008 8:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why CBH is great

Couldn't agree more. CBH is the best coach in America, and is at the top of his game right now. What the MSM doesn't understand is UCLA always wins the CBH way -- defense, defense, and more defense. And because we play such tenacious D, and work the ball on every offensive possession, the games may sometimes appear closer than they really are. But perhaps more importantly, we always win the close games, because we play for 40 minutes, every night. CBH has instilled greatness within our team, and great teams win close games. That's the mark of a great coach.

by uclakurt on Mar 30, 2008 7:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just got back...

from the game. My first NCAA game, and it was a magical experience. We were seated right in front of some fans who, while good natured, were committed Bruin haters. Felt so good for them to see how we can really play. Statement? They left with about 5 minutes to go in the game. GO BRUINS!!!

by bruin8uclap on Mar 29, 2008 9:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ESPN Clips of Press Conf

DC praising CBH.

Sean Miller rooting for us to win it all.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Mar 29, 2008 9:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

UNC

is nearly unbeatable when they decide to play defense.

UCLA is nearly unbeatable when we're hitting from the perimeter.

If we meet in the title game with each playing the best they can, it would be one hell of a game.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 29, 2008 9:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget our defense

If WE clamp down, no one can beat us. That's how we got here. GO BRUINS!!!

by bruinblue85 on Mar 29, 2008 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

UNC will have all it can handle

against KU in the semis. KU may take them out.

by UCLAMD89 on Mar 29, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cloning Kevin Love....

I know it's not ethical but I can't stand to see him go. :(

He's a giant on the court and off. We are lucky that he wanted to be a BRUIN. 2 more wins big man... 2 more. GO BRUINS!!!!!!

by bruinelder on Mar 29, 2008 9:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He is enjoying college

you never know. While it may be a pipe dream we may have one more year and maybe banner 13. I know I am getting carried away, but if the TEAM shows up, and plays to their ability like tonight, good luck to the rest of the Final Four participants!

by bruinblue85 on Mar 29, 2008 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

by SmrtGuy82 on Mar 29, 2008 9:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

CBH

Glad you decieded to coach the Bruins. You are definitely in the tradition of Coach. Banner 12 this year or later, we are proud and glad to have you leading our basketball team. Good luck to you and the Team in San Antonio weekend!

by bruinblue85 on Mar 29, 2008 10:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Second that.

Well said!

greg in denver

by gbruin on Mar 29, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has it been determined

if bruins will play in first or second game on Saturday? anyone know the times?

by Bruins095 on Mar 29, 2008 10:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Steady Howland Anchors UCLA

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1146&CID=791628

"When you walk around Pauley Pavilion, you don't see Final Four banners," Love said. "You see national championship banners. How many of them are up there? Sixteen? That's what people expect. That's what it's about."
Howland knows that all too well, which may be why he often seems so uptight and colorless.
At that point someone asked Howland if we'd ever see him "let loose," if he ever would jump around the court and scream and cheer and laugh after a win. The coach responded with a gentle grin.
"I hope to," he said. "Someday."

May that "someday" be Monday April 7th!

by mark the bruin on Mar 29, 2008 10:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

final 4 x3!

just home and watching the game i tivo'd....

congrats to cbh and all the hard working players...their excellence is what ucla is all about... winners, no matter what... onto the final four!... i'll be there... and hoping for banner 12!!!

go bruins!

by nycbruin on Mar 29, 2008 10:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The tide is turning...

Just got back from the Dodger/Redsox game at the Coliseum. They played some $uc promo for football. Southern Californians spoke when we boo'd and drowned out the Sucsters in their stadium!! I've never seen that before besides the Rose Bowl. Another Final 4 run and CRN has turned this city into a Bruin town again!!!

by PasadenaBruin on Mar 30, 2008 12:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That's because SC fans

are probably fans of the west coast's second scum...the Giants.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Mar 30, 2008 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

You're right! They both embrace cheating.

by PasadenaBruin on Mar 30, 2008 1:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Xavier's Sean Miller Magnanimous

(To buttress what Class of '66 mentioned earlier about the ludricousness of rating CBH and Miller even.) Coach Miller is a young and upcoming talent and I am sure he would welcome being though of on the same level of CBH, but in a far cry from the comments of aTm's coach ("I don't need to see any pictures, I know [Sloan] was fouled."), Sean Miller was unsparing in his praise for UCLA.

Of course, the circumstances were different; his guys just got handled by 19 points. But Still:

"We lost to a great team," Musketeer coach Sean Miller said. "In order for us to win this game, we would have needed to play the very best we could and really I believe needed some combination of UCLA not being up to its best."
...
"They really had a way about them, as if they had been there before," Xavier coach Sean Miller said. "Very patient on offense, don't crack easily, don't flinch."

And he went on to praise Collison and the rest of the team.

Kind words from a good man.

God, it's great to be a Bruin!

by whp68 on Mar 30, 2008 8:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Miller has earned the right to be mentioned...

... for all of the supposed "premier" jobs like Indiana, etc., that may have openings, but I hope he stays on with Xavier.

It's nice to be wanted by others, but I hope the Xavier fans and admins appreciate the sound coaching, hard work, and class this guy provides and give him a more competitive package. He has had these guys working really well and developing the past couple of years, and it's good to see. Quality young coach they have there.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Mar 30, 2008 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs