First, Coach Ben Howland guided UCLA back to the NCAA Tournament. Now, he's got the Bruins back in the national rankings.
Bolstered by solid recruits and a dazzling trio of sophomores, the team is expected to challenge Arizona and Stanford for the Pacific-10 Conference title in Howland's third season in Westwood.
"I'm excited about this team," he said. "It's the best depth since I've been here."
For now, though, the 19th-ranked Bruins are coping with injuries that have plagued them since practice started last month. They probably won't be at full strength until sometime in December.
"The big key for us is our health," Howland said.
Last season, UCLA finished 18-11, tied for third in the Pac-10, and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002 -- significant progress for a program that had deteriorated under former coach Steve Lavin.
The Bruins open at Pauley Pavilion against New Mexico State in the Preseason NIT tonight at 7.
Guards Jordan Farmar (last season's Pac-10 freshman of the year), Arron Afflalo and Josh Shipp will anchor a strong backcourt that should help make up for the graduation of Dijon Thompson.
A year ago, they were freshmen who combined for nearly 94 minutes and 33 points per game, and gained NCAA Tournament experience. All three have been dealing with injuries.
Farmar (right groin strain) and Afflalo (left quadriceps contusion) have resumed practice after sitting out. Shipp had arthroscopic right hip surgery in September, and is still at least six weeks from playing.
Farmar added 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason, and Shipp also bulked up, Howland said.
Senior Michael Fey, who has yet to realize his potential as a solid post threat, has missed time because of a groin strain.
Fey and Ryan Hollins, both 7-footers, will be challenged at center by sophomore Lorenzo Mata and freshman Ryan Wright, an athletic big man.
Last season, a skinny Hollins showed good shot-blocking ability but was slowed by a knee injury. Howland is encouraged by his progress so far.
"He's increased his strength and is going to be better rebounder and scorer," the coach said. "I'm excited about how committed he's been to working out."
Freshman Alfred Aboya, who played for Cameroon's national team, could have an impact at power forward, where Mata and Wright also may fill in for the departed Thompson. Aboya had arthroscopic knee surgery last month and is out for at least another two weeks.
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, also from Cameroon, leads a trio of freshmen guards who can relieve Farmar, Afflalo and Shipp from the major minutes they played last season. Mbah a Moute is a defensive stopper, Darren Collison has good speed and Michael Roll is a credible shooter.
Mbah a Moute sprained his shoulder before practice began but has since returned to action.
"The rash of injuries has been frustrating for the players involved and our team. But if we had to have injuries, better now than when we open the conference," Howland said. "The fact that some players will not open the season will give significant playing time and experience to others, which should pay off down the road."
UCLA's backcourt gets even deeper with the return of senior Cedric Bozeman, who redshirted last season because of a knee injury. One of three holdovers from the Lavin era, Bozeman averaged 7.5 points and a Pac-10-leading 6.6 assists two years ago.
Even if Bozeman doesn't take a starting job away from Farmar, Afflalo and Shipp, he gives the Bruins a solid perimeter defender who can drive to the basket.
Bolstered by solid recruits and a dazzling trio of sophomores, the team is expected to challenge Arizona and Stanford for the Pacific-10 Conference title in Howland's third season in Westwood.
"I'm excited about this team," he said. "It's the best depth since I've been here."
For now, though, the 19th-ranked Bruins are coping with injuries that have plagued them since practice started last month. They probably won't be at full strength until sometime in December.
"The big key for us is our health," Howland said.
Last season, UCLA finished 18-11, tied for third in the Pac-10, and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002 -- significant progress for a program that had deteriorated under former coach Steve Lavin.
The Bruins open at Pauley Pavilion against New Mexico State in the Preseason NIT tonight at 7.
Guards Jordan Farmar (last season's Pac-10 freshman of the year), Arron Afflalo and Josh Shipp will anchor a strong backcourt that should help make up for the graduation of Dijon Thompson.
A year ago, they were freshmen who combined for nearly 94 minutes and 33 points per game, and gained NCAA Tournament experience. All three have been dealing with injuries.
Farmar (right groin strain) and Afflalo (left quadriceps contusion) have resumed practice after sitting out. Shipp had arthroscopic right hip surgery in September, and is still at least six weeks from playing.
Farmar added 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason, and Shipp also bulked up, Howland said.
Senior Michael Fey, who has yet to realize his potential as a solid post threat, has missed time because of a groin strain.
Fey and Ryan Hollins, both 7-footers, will be challenged at center by sophomore Lorenzo Mata and freshman Ryan Wright, an athletic big man.
Last season, a skinny Hollins showed good shot-blocking ability but was slowed by a knee injury. Howland is encouraged by his progress so far.
"He's increased his strength and is going to be better rebounder and scorer," the coach said. "I'm excited about how committed he's been to working out."
Freshman Alfred Aboya, who played for Cameroon's national team, could have an impact at power forward, where Mata and Wright also may fill in for the departed Thompson. Aboya had arthroscopic knee surgery last month and is out for at least another two weeks.
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, also from Cameroon, leads a trio of freshmen guards who can relieve Farmar, Afflalo and Shipp from the major minutes they played last season. Mbah a Moute is a defensive stopper, Darren Collison has good speed and Michael Roll is a credible shooter.
Mbah a Moute sprained his shoulder before practice began but has since returned to action.
"The rash of injuries has been frustrating for the players involved and our team. But if we had to have injuries, better now than when we open the conference," Howland said. "The fact that some players will not open the season will give significant playing time and experience to others, which should pay off down the road."
UCLA's backcourt gets even deeper with the return of senior Cedric Bozeman, who redshirted last season because of a knee injury. One of three holdovers from the Lavin era, Bozeman averaged 7.5 points and a Pac-10-leading 6.6 assists two years ago.
Even if Bozeman doesn't take a starting job away from Farmar, Afflalo and Shipp, he gives the Bruins a solid perimeter defender who can drive to the basket.
