Texas

[ChicosBailBonds]

Well, then UCLA gets what they deserve.  I guess the only way that they can survive is to win, and the only way they can win is to cheat.

Comes down to style and what kids want to play.  The perception (fair or not) is that Howland is defensive minded and doesn't allow the players to showcase their offensive talents.  The irony is, I think they led the Pac 12 in scoring this year, but this is the perception of the last few years.  You see players like Russel Westbrook, Kevin Love, etc, explode once they leave UCLA and it only draws more attention to that perception.  The comments of those former players hasn't helped either.

This is UCLA, extremely high expectations.  Attendance is way down the last few years, a brand new upgrade to Pauley Pavillion this year, AAU and high school coaches grumbling.  We will see.  Dan Guerrero, the AD, is a big backer of Ben's but Dan's job has been precarious the last few years as well.  He may have struck gold with Jim Mora (though plenty of UCLA football coaches have had success first few years but fired after 5 or 6).

Nothing would surprise me with UCLA's decision.  They could extrend him, could fire him, could choose to do nothing in which case other coaches will use that as negative recruiting that UCLA doesn't believe in Howland to extend him.  It could be an interesting offseason.

[Pakuni]

Comes down to style and what kids want to play.  The perception (fair or not) is that Howland is defensive minded and doesn't allow the players to showcase their offensive talents.  The irony is, I think they led the Pac 12 in scoring this year, but this is the perception of the last few years.  You see players like Russel Westbrook, Kevin Love, etc, explode once they leave UCLA and it only draws more attention to that perception.  The comments of those former players hasn't helped either.

Love averaged 17.5/10.6 in his only season at UCLA.
Westbrook, in his second season, averaged nearly 13 ppg on a team with a bunch of NBA players (including Love).
Anyone whose perception is that Howland held back their offense is an idiot.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Love averaged 17.5/10.6 in his only season at UCLA.
Westbrook, in his second season, averaged nearly 13 ppg on a team with a bunch of NBA players (including Love).
Anyone whose perception is that Howland held back their offense is an idiot.

I'm just telling you the scuttlebutt on it....I agree with your conclusion.

The arguments I hear on radio or by fans mostly around players that transferred and excel elsewhere, or those that hit the NBA and blossom (Westbrook at 23 points per game as an example).

I don't agree with the perception, but that's what is out there.  Jay Bilas has a nice piece on it last year I believe.  We'll see what happens.

[Golden Avalanche]

Huh? Buzz would be a horrible fit in Westwood.

Why?

[Lennys Tap]

Why?

Full throttle, unabashed Christianity isn't the greatest of fits in that neck of the woods.

[Golden Avalanche]

Full throttle, unabashed Christianity isn't the greatest of fits in that neck of the woods.

That's malleable. And a smart guy like Buzz knows when, and where, to turn on his personality.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I'm just telling you the scuttlebutt on it....I agree with your conclusion.

The arguments I hear on radio or by fans mostly around players that transferred and excel elsewhere, or those that hit the NBA and blossom (Westbrook at 23 points per game as an example).

I don't agree with the perception, but that's what is out there.  Jay Bilas has a nice piece on it last year I believe.  We'll see what happens.

Here's the problem:

Fans are fucking morons.

It only matters what the AD and the top donors think. If they are smart enough to know Howland is good, then he's fine for a while.

If the top donors/boosters think Howland is bad, then eventually the AD might have to listen.

Sports radio perception doesn't matter, Chicos. You know that.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Full throttle, unabashed Christianity isn't the greatest of fits in that neck of the woods.

To put it mildly.  Heads would explode out here from a good number of residents.

[LAZER]

Here's the problem:

It only matters what the AD and the top donors think. If they are smart enough to know Howland is good, then he's fine for a while.

How good is Howland though?  If they don't do anything siginificant this year it will be the 5th disappointing season in a row on top of a program that seems to be spiraling out of control.

If I'm a UCLA fan and knowing the caliber of coach you can attract, I think I'd be looking for a replacement as well.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Here's the problem:

Fans are fracking morons.

It only matters what the AD and the top donors think. If they are smart enough to know Howland is good, then he's fine for a while.

If the top donors/boosters think Howland is bad, then eventually the AD might have to listen.

Sports radio perception doesn't matter, Chicos. You know that.

That's why I said I don't buy into the rumors necessarily, but there is some considerable frustration.

Prior to this season, UCLA had zero wins against the top 25 on the road since 2008.  Only 3 total Top 25 wins since 2008.  Think about that.
They spent 1 week in the AP top 25 since 2009 until this season.
10-10 against USC all-time for Howland...not good
In the last 64 years, only three losing seasons...Howland has two of them

Some big donors and alumni aren't happy.  Bill Walton has made it his crusade to bash Howland at every turn.  Mora has helped because the pressure was very much on Guerrero the last few years.  

The attendance numbers don't lie, either.  Though they set the single game record against Arizona two weeks ago, there has been considerable disappointment in attendance this year considering the reopening of Pauley Pavillion....their draw on the road has been pretty poor as well.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2013-02-08/bill-walton-ben-howland-ucla-larry-drew-shabazz-muhammad

http://www.bruinsnation.com/2012/2/22/2818095/basketball-attendance-last-4-seasons

[reinko]

To put it mildly.  Heads would explode out here from a good number of residents.

I am picturing Buzz, with a mouth of chaw, talking about Jesus Christ on KLAC.

Classic

[79Warrior]

To put it mildly.  Heads would explode out here from a good number of residents.

Disagree. The fans would love Buzz and his personality in Westwood. Especially considering the the bore that currently coaches the team.

[Groin_pull]

Comes down to style and what kids want to play.  The perception (fair or not) is that Howland is defensive minded and doesn't allow the players to showcase their offensive talents.  The irony is, I think they led the Pac 12 in scoring this year, but this is the perception of the last few years.  You see players like Russel Westbrook, Kevin Love, etc, explode once they leave UCLA and it only draws more attention to that perception.  The comments of those former players hasn't helped either.

This is UCLA, extremely high expectations.  Attendance is way down the last few years, a brand new upgrade to Pauley Pavillion this year, AAU and high school coaches grumbling.  We will see.  Dan Guerrero, the AD, is a big backer of Ben's but Dan's job has been precarious the last few years as well.  He may have struck gold with Jim Mora (though plenty of UCLA football coaches have had success first few years but fired after 5 or 6).

Nothing would surprise me with UCLA's decision.  They could extrend him, could fire him, could choose to do nothing in which case other coaches will use that as negative recruiting that UCLA doesn't believe in Howland to extend him.  It could be an interesting offseason.

When is attendance not down? I'm a bit of a UCLA fan and have watched their games on TV for years. From what I've seen, there are always plenty of good seats available...and there may not be a worse game day atmosphere. It's like a library inside Pauley.

[Groin_pull]

Disagree. The fans would love Buzz and his personality in Westwood. Especilly considering the the bore that currently coaches the team.

No way. All that Jesus talk would get very old, very fast. Plus, I think his aw shucks, country bumpkin act would wear thin.

[Pakuni]

Buzz could pray the Rosary at center court of Pauley Pavilion and no one would care if he were winning.
Eccentricity is only an issue when you're losing.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Buzz could pray the Rosary at center court of Pauley Pavilion and no one would care if he were winning.
Eccentricity is only an issue when you're losing.

Bingo.

I think Buzz is incredibly entertaining.

However, if MU was 0-18 in conference play, I probably wouldn't be tuning into the "Buzz Williams Show".

[Groin_pull]

Buzz could pray the Rosary at center court of Pauley Pavilion and no one would care if he were winning.
Eccentricity is only an issue when you're losing.

Come out west and you'll change your tune. I think Chicos will back me up on this. Winning or not, Buzz's act would quickly wear thin with the PC crowd. It's not just that you win...it's how you win.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Disagree. The fans would love Buzz and his personality in Westwood. Especilly considering the the bore that currently coaches the team.

The fans would, but it's the other lunatics that run the state.  The ones that would bellyache that he is a state funded coach at a state funded university and he should never utter any words that they deem to infringe upon their view of the world.  This is a county that changed their seal because it had a small cross in it. Don't underestimate some of the steps people go through out here.  I agree, if he wins the fans would love it, but there would be a chorus of people watching him like a hawk for ever mentioning the wrong words in a public place.

Old                                                                                New
                                             

[ChicosBailBonds]

When is attendance not down? I'm a bit of a UCLA fan and have watched their games on TV for years. From what I've seen, there are always plenty of good seats available...and there may not be a worse game day atmosphere. It's like a library inside Pauley.

Yeah, it's not a good atmosphere, I agree. 

[Aughnanure]

Disagree. The fans would love Buzz and his personality in Westwood. Especilly considering the the bore that currently coaches the team.

Buzz still wouldn't be on their Top 5. Stevens, Shaka, Jay Wright, Dixon, Drew, Marshall, Donovan are all ahead.

If Buzz does go, to either UT or UCLA, we should just hire Howland/Barnes.

[Golden Avalanche]

Buzz still wouldn't be on their Top 5. Stevens, Shaka, Jay Wright, Dixon, Drew, Marshall, Donovan are all ahead.

If Buzz does go, to either UT or UCLA, we should just hire Howland/Barnes.

How do you get a list like that?

[79Warrior]

Come out west and you'll change your tune. I think Chicos will back me up on this. Winning or not, Buzz's act would quickly wear thin with the PC crowd. It's not just that you win...it's how you win.

I live in LA. Nobody will give a hoot if he wins.

[4everwarriors]

Know of any goo sushi joints in Westwood?

[keefe]

I live in LA. /quote]

You poor bastard.

[muwarrior69]

Comes down to style and what kids want to play.  The perception (fair or not) is that Howland is defensive minded and doesn't allow the players to showcase their offensive talents.  The irony is, I think they led the Pac 12 in scoring this year, but this is the perception of the last few years.  You see players like Russel Westbrook, Kevin Love, etc, explode once they leave UCLA and it only draws more attention to that perception.  The comments of those former players hasn't helped either.

This is UCLA, extremely high expectations.  Attendance is way down the last few years, a brand new upgrade to Pauley Pavillion this year, AAU and high school coaches grumbling.  We will see.  Dan Guerrero, the AD, is a big backer of Ben's but Dan's job has been precarious the last few years as well.  He may have struck gold with Jim Mora (though plenty of UCLA football coaches have had success first few years but fired after 5 or 6).

Nothing would surprise me with UCLA's decision.  They could extrend him, could fire him, could choose to do nothing in which case other coaches will use that as negative recruiting that UCLA doesn't believe in Howland to extend him.  It could be an interesting offseason.

Which is why Buzz may not be a good fit either.