UCLA held its basketball media day Wednesday.
There was the coach.
There were the players. And there was the man in the gray flannel
suit.
Coach Ben Howland covered a variety of topics — the team's August
trip to China, the new Pauley Pavilion, the high-altitude
expectations.
Players came in waves during a formal news conference —
first those returning from a 19-14 last season, then the four-member freshman
class that has ignited high hopes for a resurrection.
And hovering around
it all was the man wearing gray, Kevin S. Reed, UCLA's vice chancellor of legal
affairs. At this point, he may be as much a part of the team as center Joshua
Smith.
The elephant in the gym was the on-going NCAA investigation into
eligibility of freshmen Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson.
Three times a
UCLA official told the media, "We will not be speaking about the NCAA review or
its impact on this team."
Yet, those are questions that won't go
away.
Asked how to keep some of the uncertainties from disrupting the
focus of the team, Howland said, "These kids, they're kids. They seem to stay
very focused. There is always going to be adversity, there is always going be
uncertainty. … You always have to deal with overcoming adversity as a player, as
a team."
Howland then cited guard Tyler Lamb, who had arthroscopic knee
surgery Tuesday and is expected back in a month.
Bigger uncertainties
could disrupt the team. Those are being hashed out by the NCAA.
Muhammad,
from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman High, and Anderson, from Fairview (N.J.) St.
Anthony, have yet to be cleared for competition by the NCAA, though they are
with the team. Under rules, both can participate in workouts for 45 days, after
which they either have to be cleared or must stop working with the
team.
The freshman class, which includes Tony Parker and Jordan Adams,
toted high-end expectations to Westwood.
"We have to live up to those,"
Muhammad said.
Whether Muhammad and Anderson get a chance remains to be
seen.
NCAA officials never comment on investigations. But the specter of
the investigation is omnipresent. For the first time in years, media day did not
include one-on-one player interviews.
That allowed Reed to monitor the
questions and answers.
"We knew it would put the spotlight on us,"
forward Travis Wear said about the freshman class.
What he likely didn't
count on was the glare of NCAA scrutiny. It is a cloud that hangs over what UCLA
officials anticipate being a fruitful season.
After a season of playing
most of their home games at the Sports Arena, the Bruins will inaugurate a
renovated Pauley Pavilion against Indiana State on Nov. 9. The team is scheduled
to start practicing in the new arena Oct. 29.
Pauley Pavilion is so close
to completion that the plastic was removed from the arena's seats this
week.
"It was definitely a bummer playing at the Sports Arena last year,"
forward David Wear said. "I realize how exciting it is to be back on our own
campus. Everyone is talking about how excited they are to come to the
games."
The Bruins prepped for this season with their three-game trip to
China. David Wear said that internal expectations grew before the first
exhibition game was finished.
"We came in at halftime and Coach Howland
was excited, the players were excited," Wear said. "We realized this was a
special group of guys and felt like we could do a lot of great things this
year."
Muhammad was not on the trip, a decision that was made because of
the NCAA's investigation.
chris.foster@latimes.com
twitter.com/cfosterlatimes
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The Daily Bruin
When four tall figures walked into the conference room at the J.D. Morgan Center, it was obvious why so many people were there.
At Pac-12 media day on Wednesday, members of the media got their first glimpse of the heralded UCLA men’s basketball freshmen class. At the center of the spotlight was guard Shabazz Muhammad, who was the focus of most of the questions.
The attention was fitting, not because of the expectations others have for the class, but the expectations Muhammad and the freshmen have for the team.
“We all came from winning programs in high school, winning state championships and stuff like that. (We’re) just trying to interpret that to college and we’re going to try to carry that tradition on for all of us,” Muhammad said.
Flanked by his fellow freshmen, Muhammad expressed his anticipation to finally get on the floor with the team.
“I’m really excited to play with these guys. I’ve been playing in practice with them, enjoying myself and the chemistry is really coming very well with all of us,” Muhammad said. “It’s going to be a great opportunity and I think there are great things ahead of us, so (we’re) just staying confident and trying to get ready to do this.”
While all four freshmen were in their jerseys Wednesday, it remains unclear whether or not that will be the case come the season opener in November.
Tony Parker was recently declared eligible, but Muhammad and Anderson still haven’t been cleared. Coaches and players were unable to comment on the situation at media day.
Fast forward
For years, the UCLA men’s basketball team has lacked balance, typically focusing on defense while the offense has been considered predictable and ineffective.
However, with this year’s newfound athleticism, the Bruins are looking to change that.
While defense will remain the team’s trademark, coach Ben Howland said the team will “We’re really trying to play faster. That was one of the big (emphases) of the summer, really trying to push the ball and take advantage of … our speed and ability to run,” Howland said.
One of the biggest factors in UCLA’s offense this year figures to be redshirt senior guard, Larry Drew II, who transferred from North Carolina last year.
Drew’s speed and quickness has made him a handful for his teammates to guard in practice, sophomore guard Norman Powell said. Drew thinks this will be an asset to the new-look offense come November.
“I’ve gotten a lot stronger, quicker and faster, so obviously (the up-tempo offense) is suiting to my ability,” Drew said. “We have the personnel to run and get out in the lanes and sprint down the court. … I think it’s going to play to our advantage.”
Leg of Lamb
Junior guard Tyler Lamb made a brief appearance Wednesday, but only for the team and individual photos.
Lamb, who underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday, is expected to miss at least the next month, Howland said.
That would likely take him out of the team’s first game, when Pauley Pavilion reopens its doors Nov. 9.
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UCLA mum on status of Anderson, Muhammad
By Rahshaun Haylock
FoxSportsWest.com
October 10, 2012
LOS ANGELES -- The UCLA men's basketball players walked through the school's Student Activities Center and introduced themselves to the media on Wednesday.
They posed for pictures, including a star-studded photo with head coach Ben Howland and his No. 1-ranked recruiting class. Left to right, they lined up -- Kyle Anderson, Tony Parker, Howland, Shabazz Muhammad, and Jordan Adams. They were all smiles as the freshmen donned their UCLA home whites for the first time.
It was fun.
Then came time for questions and answers. The topic on everyone's mind is what's going to happen to Howland's most prized recruits, Anderson and Muhammad?
"No questions about the NCAA review or its impact on the program," said a UCLA spokesperson before the first question was fired.
The investigation continues into the eligibility of UCLA's newest stars. There are reported concerns the NCAA has with improper benefits they may have received.
Anderson made the trip to China with his teammates while Muhammad stayed behind due to the investigation. Wednesday, it appeared neither will be in uniform when the Bruins open up the new Pauley Pavilion on Nov. 9 against Indiana State.
UCLA can't talk about it.
"I'm just not going to comment on anything having to do with the ongoing investigation," Howland said. "It's inappropriate. It's not fair to the players. It's just a matter of their confidentiality and the respect to the process.
"We're moving forward and I'm very hopeful. I'm very optimistic everything's going to work out and just waiting for the process to unfold and take place."
Optimism is high throughout the team and at this point all they can do is induce themselves into thinking happy thoughts.
Both players have practiced with the team and will do so for the season's first official practice on Friday. However, practicing with the team opens up their 45-day window. If the case isn't solved by the time that window expires, the players will no longer be allowed to practice.
It's even trickier for Anderson because he played during the trip to China in August. It is not known if the time in China counts towards his 45 days to participate, according to a UCLA spokesperson. Muhammad began practicing with the team on Sept. 28. Anderson practiced with the team before they departed for China.
So far this class has come with a lot more baggage in addition to the No. 1 recruiting ranking. However, that ranking in itself was enough to increase the spotlight on a UCLA team that fared 19-14 last season.
"Shabazz is a high profile athlete and with the No. 1 recruiting class and things like that I knew it was going to put a spotlight on it," said forward David Wear.
On the floor, everything has been good. The younger players have been "very humble and very eager" to learn since stepping on campus.
Howland has emphasized an up-tempo approach that the Bruins debuted on their trip to China with North Carolina transfer Larry Drew II at the controls. However, there is a caveat. At 6-foot-8 and handles like a guard, Anderson has instructions for ways he can use his playmaking abilities.
"(Coach Howland) told me if I ever want to bring up the ball I have to get the defensive rebound," Anderson said. "That starts the break a little bit earlier and helps the offense a little bit better."
Pushing the tempo doesn't seem ideal for a person that has been labeled "Slo-Mo." They're working on that as well.
"(Coach Howland) said he wants to get me to regular motion," Anderson said. "I think the ‘Slo-Mo' title is out the door."
The expectations remain. With this group's mixture of young and old, expectations are at least to make a Final Four.
"You have to live with those (expectations)," Muhammad said. "That's what sports is all about. We're going to really work hard to try to make sure we live up to that.
"We really look like a great team right now."
Will that "great team" ever take the hardwood together?
___________________
By Associated Press, via the Washington Post
Published:
October 10, 2012
LOS ANGELES — With new recruits Shabazz Muhammad, Kyle Anderson and Tony
Parker, along with a newly renovated arena almost ready to open, things appear
to be looking up for UCLA’s basketball program months after last season ended in
turmoil.
Expectations — always high at a school that owns a record 11 national
championships — are through the roof for the Bruins to be back in title
contention after coach Ben Howland landed one of the nation’s top recruiting
classes.
But there are a couple of clouds on the horizon.
Muhammad and Anderson, the centerpieces of the freshmen class, are also the
subjects of individual NCAA investigations and neither has yet to be declared
eligible for the upcoming season.
The NCAA is investigating alleged benefits that Muhammad received and his
relationship with a financial planner who helped fund his Las Vegas-based travel
team. Anderson’s case involves a reported relationship with an agent.
A university spokesman declared questions about the NCAA inquiries or their
potential impact on the program off-limits on Wednesday, when the Bruins met the
media. The university’s general counsel lingered in the background monitoring
the proceedings.
The Bruins begin practice on Friday, and under NCAA rules Muhammad and
Anderson are allowed to participate with the team for 45 days. Either they would
be cleared when that time expires or they would have to stop working with the
program.
“We’re moving forward and I’m very hopeful and optimistic the process is
going to work out,” Howland said, declining to comment on the ongoing
investigation.
Muhammad is considered one of the top two recruits in the country, along with
Nerlens Noel of Kentucky. Muhammad and Anderson figure to start right away,
while Parker and Jordan Adams come off the bench.
“I’m really excited to get to play with these guys,” Muhammad said, gesturing
at fellow freshmen Anderson, Parker and Adams. “The chemistry is coming great.
We all came from winning programs, and we’ll just try to carry that tradition
on.”
Muhammad missed two months during the summer with a sprained ankle, which he
says is fully healed. He didn’t travel with the Bruins to China for their summer
exhibition tour, although Parker did.
The freshmen will try to meld with juniors Joshua Smith, David and Travis
Wear, and Tyler Lamb, who is expected to be out a month after arthroscopic knee
surgery this week. Smith’s weight remains an issue for the third straight
season. The 6-foot-10 center who tops 300 pounds “is in much better condition to
run up and down,” Howland said while adding that Smith still has a lot of work
to do.
Smith’s numbers tailed off last season from his freshman year and he was
frequently on the bench wearing a grim expression after fouling out yet
again.
“I didn’t have fun last year,” he said. “I remember more bad times than good.
This year my goal is to try to be on the court more.”
UCLA went 19-14 and missed the NCAA tournament for the second time in three
years, capping a dysfunctional season that included standout Reeves Nelson
getting kicked off the team and an unflattering Sports Illustrated article that
suggested Howland had lost control of the team.
Muhammad watched it all from his home in Las Vegas before committing late to
the Bruins.
“I was looking at it like it was kind of a downfall for them,” he said.
“We’re picking it up right now.”
Howland’s best recruiting class since the program made three straight Final
Four appearances ending in 2008 has bolstered his status after his reputation
took a hit from the magazine article. The coach best known for his emphasis on
defense is promising the Bruins will run much more and he plans on expanding his
rotation to include up to 10 players.
“Expectations are always high at UCLA,” Howland said. “There’s a lot to look
forward to. Our returning players have all improved. The chemistry on this team
is as good as I can remember.”
The Bruins played most of last season in the dingy Los Angeles Sports Arena
with some games in Orange County (a “logistical nightmare” Howland called it)
while Pauley Pavilion underwent a $136 million renovation. They won’t start
practicing in the arena until Oct. 29, and will play their season opener there
on Nov. 9 against Indiana State.
“It is like a brand new building,” Howland said. “It’s going to be great for
the next 50 years.”
UCLA/You Tube
