To have fun SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s faculty groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, data and chips aren’t the primary issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural material.
For the following 30 days—Monday via Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full checklist right here. We’ve additionally received an unique retro collegiate assortment, out now, that pays homage to every squad’s threads. Store right here.
Elite backcourt, elite bigs. A recipe for fulfillment. Michelin star stage of success. Russell Westbrook. Darren Collison. Kevin Love. Luc Mbah a Moute. 4 League-bound skills emphatically stormed into the 07-08 season. The outcome? Three-straight common season Pac-10 titles. A 3rd-straight Remaining 4 look. For the reason that tourney expanded to 64 groups in ‘85, solely 4 groups have achieved such a feat—simply one other day on the workplace for the Bruins.
The Bruins altering of the guard noticed UCLA nice Aaron Afflalo enter the League however welcome a 6-10 tree from the forests of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Kevin Love. The freshman double-double machine rapidly cemented his standing as a one-and-done prospect whereas the staff’s offense flowed via the 17.5 factors per recreation scorer. LA native Josh Ship, Alfred Aboya and Lorenzo Mata-Actual have curtailed Ben Howland’s strongest roster.
Love’s dominance within the paint and gentle contact across the basket earned him Pac-10 Participant of the Week after destroying Washington State. Then there was Westbrook, a participant who was as fearless as they arrive. Collison was identified for his pinpoint taking pictures accuracy and taking issues into his personal palms when wanted.
The person answerable for all of it was Ben Howland, a training prodigy identified for his disciplined method and defensive experience. Coach Howland wasn’t only a coach however a grasp strategist who knew easy methods to get one of the best out of his gamers. The Bruins’ protection remained rooted in depth whereas executing offense and not using a hint of a turnover.
The Bruins weren’t glad with simply profitable; they have been out to destroy every opponent. And Westbrook let you realize it with each probability he might—emphatic screams after highlights, strutting down the courtroom after rim-rocking throw-downs. The primary spherical of the NCAA event proved simply that when UCLA dominated Mississippi Valley, securing a commanding 41-point win over Mississippi Valley. Every recreation was the Bruins dominating on all sides of the courtroom.
The true check got here within the Pac-10 championship. UCLA was down for a lot of the recreation towards Stanford. After trailing via the primary 20 minutes, the Bruins kicked into gear within the second half and managed to snag a back-and-forth 67-64 win. They stored that very same vitality all through the NCAA Event, breezing via till they hit the ultimate 4, the place they fell quick. They by no means backed down, all the time leaving all of it out on the courtroom.
However, amidst all of the type and swagger, the Bruins remained targeted on their final aim: profitable video games. And win, they did. With a powerful win-loss report of 35-4 and a deep run within the NCAA event, they proved to be greater than only a flashy present. They have been a staff with coronary heart, willpower, and a relentless drive to succeed. Finally, the ‘08 UCLA males’s basketball staff made a permanent impression on the collegiate basketball scene.
Images by way of Getty Photos.
