USA TODAY Sports' Scott Gleeson counts down to the start of the season, breaking down the projected field of 68.



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The first word: Steve Alford is well aware of the weight-of-the-world expectations he faces as the new coach of the winningest college basketball program.
The UCLA coach remedies the massive pressure with a reassuring thought: It's just basketball.
It might be the same game Alford played as a star for Bobby Knight's dominant Indiana teams in the 1980s, and the same game he coached for eight seasons at Iowa and six at New Mexico — all but two of them ending with postseason trips. But make no mistake, basketball is a whole lot bigger now.
FULL COUNTDOWN: Projecting field of 68
The Bruins have remarkably high standards, evidenced by the firing of former coach Ben Howland, who struggled to advance talented UCLA squads in recent NCAA tournaments but had three consecutive Final Four appearances (2006-08) during his 10-year tenure.
While it's clear success must come quickly, the good news is Alford inherits a team with enough talent to contend for a Pac-12 title. Shabazz Muhammad left for the NBA, but the returning cast of Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson and the 6-10 Wear twins provides ample talent and experience to lead the charge in 2013-14.
2012-13 in review: 25-10 overall (13-5 Pac-12), lost in second round of NCAA tournament.
Tournament projection: At-large bid, No. 7 seed.
Coach's corner: "I'm humbled and blessed by this opportunity, but I'm not going to change the system of how I do things because of the tremendous expectations. We're working to get better and trying to set these kids up in life after basketball. None of that changes just because there's an address change. I can't take a job and reinvent who I am. That being said, championships are what you come to UCLA for when you're a player. That's why I'm here as a coach." — Alford, whose contract has an unusually big buyout clause under which each side is obligated to pay $10.4 million for backing out of the deal in the first three years.



Star watch: UCLA returns three of five starters from last season and six of the team's eight primary contributors. Adams (15.3 ppg) and Anderson (9.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 3.5 apg) appear poised for strong sophomore campaigns. If he can avoid injury, Adams can average more than 20 points without Muhammad hogging touches. And Anderson should thrive in Alford's motion offense. Twin towers Travis Wear (10.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and David Wear (7.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg) will be relied on heavily. Junior guard Norman Powell (6.1 ppg) returns as one of the team's most effective lockdown defenders and three-point shooters. Freshman Wanaah Bail, a 6-9 forward from Houston, could be a factor in the frontcourt if he's granted eligibility.
X-Factor: Tony Parker. The sophomore center has lost 25 pounds, according to Alford, after struggling to stay in shape and establish any form of consistency last season.
Team strength/weakness: The Bruins return 66.5% of their scoring production, 78% of their rebounding production and 89% of their blocked shots. Still, losing pass-first point guard Larry Drew II creates a huge void and will force newcomers to step up. Freshmen Bryce Alford and Zach LaVine will fight for the starting floor general spot, although the 6-5 LaVine can play both guard positions.
Conference outlook: The Pac-12 appears poised for a resurgence after a season in which five teams made the NCAA tournament, and three others reached the NIT. Though Arizona is the favorite, the league race will be intriguing with five NCAA contenders behind the Wildcats: Colorado, UCLA, Oregon, Stanford, Arizona State and California.
Tweet that speaks volume: A big-time matchup on deck.


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Highlight reel: Point forward Kyle Anderson is a silky smooth big man who can shoot long-range and run the break.


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Basics: UCLA is in Los Angeles, and the Bruins play their home games in Pauley Pavilion, which opened in 1965 and now seats 13,800.
Trivia: Four of UCLA's 12 NBA alumni are currently on Los Angeles rosters — Jordan Farmar signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, while Darren Collison, Matt Barnes and Ryan Hollins are with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Notable alumni names: Troy Aikman, Jack Black, Gabrielle Union.

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