Bruin247 Board

Shabazz was injured and tied up with NCAA crap. He was horribly out of basketball shape to start the year, plus he had to learn a new system at D1 level. Took him half the season to get to where he is now, conditioning wise. Anderson was injured and missed valuable time. There's no true center on the team. One senior and a razor thin bench. Three starting freshman including one who hasn't quite yet learned there's no "i" in "team". One freshman big man who looks lost most of the time, but flashes enough promise to give us hope. At the beginning to middle of the season, the only defense being played was by opponents. Now we have blocks, stops, steals and defensive rotations being made. Far from championship quality, but the progress is clearly there. Howland teaches D and the NBA knows it and that helps the draft stock of UCLA players. Ben still preaches D, but now he pushes this team to go more uptempo offensively; very unHowland like.

Unless there's an obvious meltdown from the coaching bench, Howland won't be going anywhere.

You contradict yourself...You say you want smart but say you want run and gun...Well which one is it???

I want Ben Howland to be coach next year and for many years following. We could win 30 games this year with this team.

Howland is not going anywhere, especially if he wins a couple games during March Madness. That's a distinct possibility too.

This team is far from finished this season. A prolonged postseason run is not out of the question.

Tough loss. Remember that game well.

Knew that post was coming. That said, and after the loss last night, it appears as if Howland is on the hot seat. Again.

Again, a run in the Pac-12 Tournament and March Madness thereafter, could be enough to secure Howland's job for a while.

I hope Josh Pastner is on the short list, kid is an up and comer!

I like Shaka Smart and think he is in line with a big time offer. He will probably get a look from a good programs. He has east coast ties. Though I like his uptempo coaching style. I think he will opt to stay east. Moreover, the "powers that be" may not be happy with such a young coach.

I would love BRAD STEVENS .. His teams know how to play... I love how fundamentally sound his teams are. But he would be great for us I don't know if LA is a fit for a small town guy. I have always coveted Villanova's coach... JAY WRIGHT... BILLY DONOVAN the Florida coach is also rumored to be on the short list... Steve Alford at New Mexico might make sense. He's got a lot of experience...and knows the game...but recently signed an extension as did Sean miller of az. Makes it tougher...

Mark few is going to just use overtures to get a pay raise.. He knows he's living the perfect coaching life.

I'm gonna put my money on MARK GOTTFRIED. He has won at a small school, Murray State, and Big schools Alabama NC state.. He knows the game... He was an assistant under Harrick and in my opinion was more instrumental to NC than Harrick. Harrick didn't coach that team... It was gottfried and lorenzo romar (also should be considered but I only view him as above average but not awesome. Gottfried loves ucla and it would be his dream job. He relates well with players. I talked with him once. I funny story about Jim and playing pick up ball.

I've always admired TIM FLOYD Ss college coach. He thinks outside the box and always puts his team in the best position to win. He change I ba heart beat depending on who he's got and who he's playing... But he's an SUC guy. But if I am ad he's near top if my lis