Ben Howland: Conference play is going to be a "dog fight"

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Ben Howland: Conference play is going to be a "dog fight"

By Adena Andrews | CBS Sports

January 2, 2013 8:40 pm ET


Conference play is beginning this week in NCAA hoops and one conference to keep your eye on is the Pac-12. Undefeated Arizona (4) is obviously the favorite in the conference but there are some other teams you should look out for. Longtime UCLA head coach Ben Howland appeared on Courtside with Seth Davis to discuss how the storied program is improving this season with the help of National Player of the Week, Shabazz Muhammad, who lifted UCLA past then No.7 Missouri with a season-high 27 points.

Muhammad, who ran into NCAA eligibility issues, missed the first three games of the season. Coming back into the fold was a bit difficult for the 6-6 freshman out of Las Vegas but he has acclimated to Howland's system quickly.

“Early on when he first was eligible he was out of shape,” Howland said. “He had an injury in his shoulder and that affected him. I think he's in much better condition now and he's done a good job to get in really good shape.” Howland said.

Shabazz is part of a pretty awesome freshman Westwood contingency of Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson and Tony Parker that will look to dominate the upcoming conference play.

“The season starts over on Thursday night,” Howland said. “This is going to be a dog fight for 18 games.”

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