Already Thinking Ahead...

Scott Levine
Pi Kappa Phi

Right before tipoff of UCLA’s first game, UCLA released a mock bracket.  UCLA was projected to be an 11 seed in the tournament.  Three year’s ago?  This would be spat it.  This year?  I was honored and shocked.  Oh how far we have come…

Despite this, the 11 seed is merely the beginning of the return of UCLA basketball from the depths of a hellish season.  While I do have a lot of faith in this team this year, my mind can’t help to drift off and think of the possibilities for next year.  The year I think this team will return to greatness.  Return to the team that produced the Gonzaga-UCLA game, which I watched on repeat on YouTube the night before making my decision to come here.

First things first, this team has no seniors on the team.  That’s right none.  Since there are no seniors, technically this entire team is eligible to return next year.  However, one would be naïve to believe that is the case: UCLA leads all colleges with 14 players currently on NBA rosters.  Most of those players are past UCLA stars that unfortunately bolted early from school.  For some, it was understandable (see chart below for stats from November 11, all except Kobe are UCLA alum), for others, it was slightly confusing and left us in a major hole, *cough* Jrue Holliday *cough*.

Luckily, last year no one left, which does explain our marked improvement.  But let’s take a look at a few players who can bolt for the pros next year.

Reeves Nelson: Despite being one of the lower recruits of the 2009 class (only ranked an 89 by ESPN) Reeves established himself as one of the best players on the team.  Reeves has been a monster so far this season, already setting career highs in points and rebounds.  He seems to be the vocal leader on the court, and invigorates the whole team with his hustle.  Despite being an All-Pac 10 Freshmen last year, I would be surprised to see Reeves bolt after this year.  He’s a little undersized to be a top pick, and hopefully he will stay and will continue to get better (his jump shot has already began improving exponentially this year).  He may be the most important of this group.  Being one of the leaders, if Reeves leaves, I have trouble thinking the others will stick around and try to give it another go.  But I’m hoping that’s not the case and we can be shouting REEEVESSSS for another year.

Malcolm Lee: After being a top recruit, Malcolm has had an up and down career at UCLA.  His progress was certainly hurt last year by our weakness at point, which caused Howland to shift Lee over at times.  Despite this, Malcolm has shown an uncanny knack for driving to the basket, and has a nice touch on his shots.  There have been rumblings ever since he arrived on Westwood that he is looking to go pro as soon as possible, and he certainly will get there as he is on several scouts lists, however, from a fan’s point of view (I’m not a scout obviously) I don’t see him being ready.  He looks like he can afford a few more pounds, and please start draining more 3s.  While Malcolm may bolt, I hope he sees his opportunity to get better, and accomplish what he came here to do: continue UCLA’s great pedigree of guards who win.

Tyler Honeycutt: T-Cut, Toolbox, whatever you want to call him, he’s good.  Real good.  Our top recruit a year ago lived up to the hype.  Despite lacking a consistent deep ball (becoming a consistent theme on this team), he is big, fast, and gets points, assists, rebounds, steals, everything.  He is a playmaker as the team’s swingman, and reminds me of Tayshaun Prince (though most people I talk to don’t agree with this analogy).  Tyler certainly seems the most likely to bolt, and it’s going to be up to the team to get him to stay another year.

Other Dark horses: Josh Smith (don’t see that happening unless he progresses 10x faster), Jerime Anderson (nah, I’m just kidding)

This is one of the major reasons why this season matters so much.  We (see my last article for explanations of my use of ‘we’) must put together a respectable enough season to get the players to start respecting and loving those four letters on their jerseys.  Those letters stand for greatness.  UCLA has a great reputation for preparing their players, but that certainly is not enough to cause players to stay.  They must have pride in their team.  Look at the Florida team that won back-to-back championships.  The players had gained a swagger, and became attached to the school; they wanted to come back and win it again since they knew they could, and they had fun doing it.  They were a team.  Not a group of individuals working together. I sincerely hope this UCLA team can put in a good season and bring back that UCLA pride (maybe it will actually cause the students to start coming to the games again in pack of more than 2…), since if they do, here’s what going to be waiting for them next year.

The Wear Twins: See those two guys on the bench?  They will be there all year.  The Wear twins are sitting out the ear as per NCAA regulation.  The twins are transfers from UNC, and were top recruits that UCLA lost out on in their initial courting.  However, they have returned, and will propose a dynamic threat as the forward force we have been lacking. 

Normal Powell: The one and only recruit so far committed to UCLA so far.  Ranked a 95 by ESPN, he is described as “ultra-athletic,” “excels in the open court where he can attack the rim,” and “a potent rebounder.”  Sounds like a guy who will certainly make his mark as a freshman whether it is off the bench or starting.

Ben Howland: This one is two parts.  First, you have to trust Ben Howland will pick up another top recruit or two.  While the Wears have our scholarships down for recruits, we still have room for Ben to work his magic.  The other part of this is Howland’s coaching.  Howland is one of NCAA’s premiere coaches.  As you have seen with the UCLA players excelling in the bigs (Westbrook, Love, Collison, Affalo, etc), he knows what it takes for the next level.  In addition, he is excellent at adjusting to the teams needs.

Now take a step back and imagine this line up for next year.  Imagine all 5 returning starters.  Zeke Jones at point again (the difference between Zeke and Jerime on the floor is like night and day, Zeke knows how to play).  Malcolm at SG.  Honeycutt at SF.  Reeves at PF.  Josh Smith at C.  Imagine them all having one more year of experience and coaching under their belt.  That is a force to be reckoned with.  Now imagine having the Wear twins, Normal Powell, Tyler Lamb (another guy who has showed a lot of spark and potential already this year), Brendan Lane, Matt Carlino, Anthony Stover, and Jerime Anderson (again, just kidding, unless he reverts to his self that showed he could play against Cal at the Pac 10 Championship last year) coming off the bench.  That’s a national contender.  No doubt in my mind.  Another year of experience, a deep a bench, and a HOF coach?  It will make Lee and Honeycutt happy they stayed, since that team would be going places.

Now that lineup may be idealistic, but I think no matter what we are in good shape going forward.  If Lee bolts, I have full confidence in Lamb taking over, and seeing what Powell can do.  If Honeycutt goes, we have a little bigger problem, but with the Were twins and Lane, I