To have fun SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s faculty groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, information and chips aren’t the primary issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural material.
For the subsequent 30 days—Monday by Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full listing 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 achievement. Michelin star degree of success. Russell Westbrook. Darren Collison. Kevin Love. Luc Mbah a Moute. 4 League-bound skills emphatically stormed into the 07-08 season. The end result? Three-straight common season Pac-10 titles. A 3rd-straight Remaining 4 look. Because the tourney expanded to 64 groups in ‘85, solely 4 groups have completed 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 workforce’s offense flowed by the 17.5 factors per sport 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 comfortable 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 capturing accuracy and taking issues into his personal fingers when wanted.
The person in control of 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 how one can get the very best out of his gamers. The Bruins’ protection remained rooted in depth whereas executing offense with no 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 may—emphatic screams after highlights, strutting down the court docket 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 sport was the Bruins dominating on all sides of the court docket.
The true check got here within the Pac-10 championship. UCLA was down for a lot of the sport in opposition to Stanford. After trailing by 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 by till they hit the ultimate 4, the place they fell brief. They by no means backed down, at all times leaving all of it out on the court docket.
However, amidst all of the model and swagger, the Bruins remained centered on their final aim: profitable video games. And win, they did. With a formidable win-loss document 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 workforce with coronary heart, willpower, and a relentless drive to succeed. In the end, the ‘08 UCLA males’s basketball workforce made a permanent influence on the collegiate basketball scene.
Images by way of Getty Pictures.