UCLA Basketball: Ben Howland and Shabazz Muhammad

This week’s Q&A takes us south to Westwood, and below are three questions I asked Go Joe Bruin editor Carlos Sandoval about the state of Bruins basketball. This includes a look to the future, a look at the hot seat, and one bright spot to note. Carlos was generous enough to take some of his time to help us Oregon Ducks fans get a better handle on the situation in UCLA, from a guy who actually goes to school there.

1. Yeah, you know what’s coming. Last night’s loss featured problems that are usually due to a lack of fundamentals, leadership etc. and have made the talk of Ben Howland’s job security even more heated. How scorching is his hot seat right now, and do you think he should be back next year? I’m one of those guys who thinks he deserves one more season, but I’m far more interested in hearing a UCLA perspective on this.

I’ve given up on Howland. He’s so stubborn and his decision-making across the board has become suspect. When he takes his time-outs, they’re at the worst times, and then late in games, he has none to use when they really need them. He sticks with players far too often before subbing them out and he won’t play freshman. It took him 90% of the season to switch to a zone defense from his famed man defense, which cost us some serious games. That said, UCLA fans, students and alum are still incredibly divided on this. Before, the majority were OK with him being back for one more year, but now, it’s dead-even, from what I’m seeing.

2. Shabazz Muhammad. Just how good is this guy? What are the chances of UCLA getting him, and will their chances increase if Howland goes? Better yet, are you confident (sarcasm) in Guerrero’s ability to hire an adequate coach for this team? Any suggestions for the next coach or are the waters too murky at this point?

I haven’t seen Shabazz play too often, but from what I’ve seen, he’s incredible. He’s supposed to be one of the most important recruits since O.J. Mayo (others say John Wall), but who knows? Chances that we get him will go down if Howland goes, though — it seems like Howland can still produce NBA talent even when UCLA isn’t winning games, and the end-goal for Shabazz is to become an NBA player. Guerrero shouldn’t be trusted with anything, at all, but the good thing is that UCLA’s basketball program is one that’ll be sure to attract some serious talent, so some elite coach may just fall in Guerrero’s lap.

3. Who has been the MVP of this Bruins squad this season? It’s a tough question to ask and is probably a moo point (to quote Joey), but it’s good to try and look for positives. After all, this team is actually pretty efficient on the offensive side on a whole.

Jerime Anderson has to be that guy, even though he’s sloppy himself. People really dig Anthony Stover, and the fact that he is not getting playing time is very typical of Howland, who is ultra-conservative (except with his timeouts). The Wear Twins picked it up, too, and that’s also why we’re not horrible on offense, but I say Anderson is the leader of the team.

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