Draped Clocks & Double Socks

by Nestor on Apr 4, 2008 4:49 PM PDT in Basketball Comment 16 comments

I imagine all of us at this point just want to get this night over with and get to game day. All of us are dizzy with anticipation. I bet I am not the only one with who has that weird pre game feeling in my stomach which is a concoction of anxiety and sheer excitement.

Although I am at total peace in terms of how this season turns out my mind has been racing all day. But every time I get even a hint in nervousness, this is what calms me down right away. From Jeff Eisenberg in the Press Enterprise:

In the five years since UCLA hired Howland to restore its decaying basketball program, he has earned a reputation for being controlling, demanding and maybe even a little bit pushy. From draping blankets over the clocks at Pauley Pavilion so players don't know how much time is left in practice, to making sure they wear two pairs of socks under their sneakers to avoid blisters, no minutia is too small for Howland's discerning eye.

While Howland's attention to detail, as he would call it, can sometimes wear on those around him, players cite his perfectionism as a catalyst for their success. Howland has rebuilt UCLA into a perennial national title contender, becoming the first coach to lead the Bruins to three consecutive Final Fours since the legendary John Wooden retired in 1975.

"His level of preparation is unlike anything I've ever seen," freshman Kevin Love said. "It might drive you a little crazy sometimes, but at the end of the day the guy's going to help you win."

Howland's penchant for defense and discipline has proven to be the perfect antidote for a UCLA program that was in a state of disarray before he arrived. The Bruins stumbled to a 10-19 finish in the final season of Steve Lavin's tenure, a seven-year saga marked by electrifying wins, inexplicable losses and a rapidly retreating fan base.

To change the program's underachieving culture, Howland instilled newfound toughness, intensity and discipline. It's not uncommon for players to receive down-to-the-minute itineraries before road trips or to watch tape of a blown defensive rotation up to five or six times.

"He is on top of every detail," assistant coach Scott Duncan said. "He knows what's going on in the training room, he knows what's going on in the weight room, he knows what's happening on the court and he knows what's going on with academics. I think that gives the players a sense that they should be detailed, too. If this is so important to our coach, this should be important to us."

That is one of the best Howland profiles I have read in a while.

That's certainly the first time I have heard about draped clocks and the socks story in Howland era, and I am sure those details are going to make thousands of people smile just thinking back to story of tying shoes of a certain legendary coach. Art Spander from the Oakland Tribune had no problem figuring out who Coach Howland is channeling during every practice at Pauley:

"I would put everything on 3 by 5 cards," Wooden explained about practices that were efficient and detailed. Practices that, with the relentless group of players from Goodrich and Walt Hazzard to Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Bill Walton, were responsible for 10 NCAA championships.

Detail. Routine. Repetition. Do it again until it's correct. Stop talking in the back of the room until the question is heard.

"The difference between winning and losing," Howland reiterated. "Between being good and being great. Between being successful and not successful. It's all in the details."

Details that seem to conflict with the hang-loose society of the early 21st century, details that appear to be at odds with kids who love to dribble between their legs and dunk with a flourish.

But details the UCLA players, even with their freedom inhibited, accept. "They want to win," Howland said, of today's youth. "Most of all, players want to win. They understand that playing defense is a way to win."

Josh Shipp, the sophomore wingman, was asked for an example of the Howland philosophy.

"Um," Shipp said, thinking for a moment, "when we're doing walk- throughs, he wants everybody in their precise spots. We try to shortcut things just to save time. He stops us and points out we need to get to those spots."

So really what's there to worry about? And if you want to read more Howland related articles to finish up this Friday, make sure to check out Jeff Goodman's column in Foxsports.com on Coach Howland's "simple recruiting touch":

Collison chose between UCLA and San Diego State. Westbrook was a late-bloomer and picked the Bruins over San Diego and Creighton. Mbah a Moute looked at South Carolina and Virginia Tech while Aboya was hardly a big-time recruit after de-committing from Georgetown following a coaching change. Mata-Real looked at New Mexico and Roll, who has been injured this entire season, was pursued by UC Santa Barbara.

Hardly a group that would be pegged to represent the Pac-10's finest.

Santa Clara coach Kerry Keating, who spent four years on Howland's staff, said it took a while to understand Howland's recruiting philosophy. It was more than just players who can make open shots, pass the ball and bring intangibles to the table -- although those are all important characteristics that Howland cherishes.

"I had to figure it out," Keating said. "He wants hard-working, dedicated guys who compete."

He prioritized players that came from winning programs. Players that performed well in playoff games.

"He wants players that never got accustomed to losing," Keating said. "They expect to win."

Howland's teams are a stark contrast to the previous regimes. Former coach Steve Lavin was all about luring the high-profile players to Westwood. He brought McDonald's All-Americans JaRon Rush, Dan Gadzuric and Ray Young to Westwood in 1998 and had Baron Davis (recruited by Jim Harrick) in 1997.

It is really amazing. As noticeably our bandwagon has grown in last couple of years, is often amusing to read thoughts and comments in which it becomes apparent people taking for granted exactly how Coach Howland has rebuilt this powerhouse in Westwood, left behind Lavin's trail of tears and destruction.

Often times you read a clueless article in the MSM, you get the sense that somehow Coach Howland had it made for him when he arrived in Westwood. While Roy Williams inherited a loaded program at UNC anchored around Sean May, and Bill Self inherited the machine Williams left him back in Lawrence, Howland got stuck with a roster which included Mike Fey, Jon Crispin, Josiah Johnson, and Ryan Walcott. I really can't think of any other coach in America, who could have done at UCLA, what Coach Howland has done in last five years. None. That's one reason I am hardly interested in who comes and goes from our conference or the coaching carousel around the country. I have no problem other people talking about it here in the diaries, but to me it just doesn't matter, as long as we have the America's best basketball coach in post Wooden era to lead Coach Wooden's program.

There was a pretty amusing article in the LA Times earlier this week on how Coach Howland kept striking out how he kept applying for one job after another opening up in Southern California's local schools (until landing at University of Northern Arizona). The article ended on this note from Mrs. Howland:

Kim Howland, Ben's wife, stood on the court last week with their two children, now young adults, watching her husband cut down the nets for a third consecutive trip to the Final Four.

Someone asked her about those days when Howland couldn't get a head coaching job, and about not being hired at Santa Barbara.

"I think it was disappointing and emotional," she said. "It was something he really wanted. He loves Santa Barbara. He grew up there."

But it worked out.

Yes, Howland's wife said with a smile, "There was something better down the road."

Let's hope Coach Howland's road ended in Westwood because with him around this is the closest thing to sports heaven I have had the pleasure to experience since the day of Magic and Kareem (again I never got to experience Coach Wooden leading our alma mater).

Just keeping in mind how Coach Howland is watching over our program (he is the Caretaker after all) is enough information to put me in total ease in this Friday night. With this guy in charge there is absolutely no reason to be anxious about tomorrow night and beyond.

Draped clocks and double socks: that should keep you smiling heading into game day.

GO BRUINS.

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That feature was amazing

I wasn't alive while Wooden coached at UCLA, but I've read a ton about him -- and that feature made him sound a lot like Wooden.

That Press-Enterprise feature was among the best I've read on Howland, if not the best.

by gilbert on Apr 4, 2008 4:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jeff Eisenberg

Wasn't he a Daily Bruin columnist?

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 4, 2008 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, he was

If you add his Daily Bruin experience with his Riverside Press-Enterprise, Eisenberg has been around UCLA basketball longer than Brian Dohn (who is for better or worse considered to be the dean of UCLA beat writers).

by gilbert on Apr 4, 2008 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the oakland tribune article is what impressed me

I think this is BHs first final four team with top 4 talent. The job the last two years was simply unbelievable, and this year, with only 3 losses and a final four bid, shows you what BH can do with a better roster.

The scary thing for the rest of the country is this program is only going to draw more and deeper talent as time goes on, and BH has a good 15 years to continue to build the program.

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

by silverlakebruin on Apr 4, 2008 5:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Per Dohn's blog,

Luc's parents surprised him and are in San Antonio to see him play for the first time in person. AWESOME!!

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

by silverlakebruin on Apr 4, 2008 5:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Really happy for the kid

It sucked reading about it the past 2 years and this year because getting to a Final 4 is very, very difficult. Nothing is promised. Good for Luc and I'm sure this will provide a little extra boost come tip-off.

These games are all gravy. Whether we win or lose, this season has been a success and as long as Howland is driving this team, we'll continue to experience success.

I'm going to explode and can't wait to shut that whiny Calamari up!

by BlueReign on Apr 4, 2008 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Howland and the Bruins getting nice press from SI

SI is lining up with the Bruins. 4 out of 5 of their writers have picked the Bruins.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/ncaa/specials/ncaa_tourney/2008/04/04/pickoffs/inde x.html?eref=T1

Here is another nice article from SI about Howland!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/phil_taylor/04/04/sip.howland/index.html

AND I AM SO HAPPY FOR LUC AND HIS PARENTS. THIS WILL MEAN A LOT TO ALL OF THEM!!

Go Team Go!

by bruins grad and dad on Apr 4, 2008 5:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Coach Howland gets it

Coach was it. Coach Howland's predecessor never got it, and to this day does not understand what it was that he didn't get.

It is obvious for all to see that Coach Howland absolutely gets it in terms of the school and the team and his role as the caretaker. If there is anything he maybe doesn't get is his own importance to the team and to the school and to the fans. But in every possible other way there is, he gets it.

Any trOJies lurking around here? You will never get it. This is not a put-down (there are so many other ways of putting down a trOJie that this one is not needed.) It is impossible for you to every understand just what it is that Coach Howland gets. But just take it as a given. Coach Howland really gets it about being a Bruin.

by Fox 71 on Apr 4, 2008 5:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've been nervous today

especially hearing so much about Memphis and how good they are. These posts remind me what an incredible coach UCLA has. He has done an unbelievable job and we can trust he will have his team ready. He doesn't need to rely on motivational gimmicks. He is a straight shooter and knows his system is designed for success. Excellent points about the team he inherited and how he has completely rebuilt this program. He will keep bringing in great kids who work hard and want to win. Win or lose, you have to love coach Howland. It's going to be a battle, but my confidence has been renewed.

by Bruins095 on Apr 4, 2008 6:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Howland

turns 3 star players into 5 star players, while Lavin turned 5 star players into 3 star players.

And what has Howland done to the one 5 star player (thus far) he has recruited? He is simply off the charts....freshman 1ST team All-American and Wooden award finalist.

And with the nation's #1 recruiting class coming in next year, you know this program will be playing at a very high level for the foreseeable future.

Thank you God for Ben Howland!

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Apr 4, 2008 7:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

fantastic post

I couldn't agree more...I am so thankful to have a coach like CBH. I am a person who appreciates and pays attention to the details in my life/job, so it's nice to see someone who is truly successful that does the same.

I hope he never leaves!

Go Bruins.

by hicalliber on Apr 4, 2008 7:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Plaschke finally gets it

calling the coaching matchup a mismatch. It's a good read (for once).

Go Bruins.

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Apr 4, 2008 9:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Like the attention, but...

there is a major flaw in his theory regarding Memphis's struggles with games played at a slow pace, specifically his use of their game against USC as support. While the game featured a low score (62-58, in overtime), the pace of the game, measured by the actual number of possessions by each team, was actually faster than Memphis's notably quick season average (And much faster than
USC's average).

While the game was played at a quick pace, the score was kept down by, depending on your POV, either great defensive performances or pathetic offense by both Memphis and USC. USC played its second-worst offensive game of the season, while Memphis exhibited by far its least efficient offense of the season (Memphis averages ~1.2 points/possession overall; in the USC game, they averaged under 0.8 points/possession, while turning the ball over at a 63% higher than normal rate). The lesson that I gather is not that Memphis is necessarily vulnerable to a slow pace, but that they are vulnerable when shooting badly, particularly from the perimeter, and when they turn the ball over at a high rate.

Or maybe Platchke really meant to reference last week's game against Michigan State in his talk of struggles playing at a slower pace. That game's pace of 66 possessions was notably slower than the Memphis season average, and only fractionally faster than UCLA's (slow, grinding) season average. Thanks to arguably the most efficient performances by the Memphis offense this season, and very good ball control, they just made it through that slow-down pace. If the 92-74 win that followed is an example of struggling (with a slow game pace), then I wish that UCLA had struggled in such a fashion in its Sweet 16 game.

by bruinhoo on Apr 4, 2008 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd read about the clocks before

but this is the first time I heard about the socks. The reminder of Coach has to bring a smile to your face.

by ryebreadraz on Apr 5, 2008 12:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I love the part about the socks...

It reminds me the story Bill Walton told about Coach Wooden and how he gave lessons in how to put on your socks and tie your shoes. At the time, the players thought he was nuts, but ask them how they feel about Coach now.

Go Bruins!

by waters96 on Apr 5, 2008 7:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What If...

What if Ryan Hollins and Ced Bozeman were able to start their careers with Coach Howland? For that short period of time he had them, he was able to convert them to his philosophy and make them play at an exceptionally high level. Not only did he use his guys but those that Lavin left behind to get to the final game. Not many coaches can bring different sets of players like that together. I applaud Coach for what he's done. Bring on the Tigers!!!

GO BRUINS...

by RScal on Apr 5, 2008 11:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs