Finally, a True Test for Bruins

Not to brush on any additional coats of stress, of course, but it’s time to ask the early-season question, How good is UCLA?

According to Louisiana State Coach Dale Brown, the ninth-ranked Bruins haven’t been better in a long time--and sorry if that puts a little bit of the squeeze on Jim Harrick.

“They have a great team , probably the best overall talent since Coach Wooden left,” said Brown, who sends his 25th-ranked Tigers against the Bruins tonight at Pauley Pavilion in a battle of 4-0 teams.

“They would have a real good chance at the Final Four,” he said. “They shoot well, they’re well-coached. . . . I don’t want to put any pressure on Jim Harrick. I’m almost sorry I said that. Jim will get there someday.”

If Brown is right, Harrick can get there this year with at least two players Brown tried to get.

“I recruited Ed O’Bannon and Charles O’Bannon,” Brown said. “I know these guys. I think (Harrick) has handled his job real well.

“I mean, who has ever successfully replaced a legend? People like Casey Stengel, Red Auerbach, Adolph Rupp, John Wooden. People do get spoiled, and I’m sure they’re that way at UCLA, too.”

Brown, in typical overstatement, called Wooden’s coaching record of 10 NCAA titles in 12 years the greatest accomplishment in the history of sports.

“They’ll go 10 feet in the high jump before his record is broken,” Brown said.

Brown has known Harrick since Brown was an assistant coach at Utah State in 1966 and Harrick coached at Morningside High in Inglewood. Harrick followed Brown as an assistant at Utah State in 1973, by which time Brown was already at LSU.

“I like Jim because he’s not arrogant,” Brown said. “He doesn’t think he’s some damned coaching legend.”