Here are some quick hitters for this week:
• UCLA supporters have taken the loss in the Final Four pretty hard. Of course, the fans, players and coaches all want to be rewarded with a championship. As has happened in the past with other programs, UCLA and Ben Howland have been questioned following three Final Fours and no titles. It may be a fair point to make, but it falls short of the full picture. No reasonable observer can argue that UCLA's accomplishments over the past three years have been anything short of remarkable. Precious few programs have cracked the insanely difficult task of reaching the Final Four three straight times. UCLA and the Bruins' fans need to internalize and accept that it is an amazing accomplishment that should be celebrated. I feel the same way about Howland that I felt about Bill Self for many years … he is the real thing, and it is only a matter of time before he wins one … or more.
• Speaking of UCLA, sophomore
Russell Westbrook will probably not be back for his junior year. Westbrook will be a lottery selection, and that should be enough to keep him in the NBA draft. But,
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and
Josh Shipp should both come back to UCLA after playing in Orlando. I cannot imagine a scenario in which either player would boost his draft position enough to make staying in a good call.
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Jay Bilas
