Howland Knows the Feeling

UCLA’s recent slump is nothing new for Coach Ben Howland, who encountered rebuilding projects when he took over the programs at Northern Arizona in 1994 and at Pittsburgh in 1999.

Northern Arizona was 9-17 and 7-19 in its first two seasons under Howland before posting three 21-win seasons and advancing to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 1998.

Pittsburgh was 13-15 in Howland’s first season before posting three winning seasons and making two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.

So Howland knows what he’s up against after UCLA lost for the eighth time in nine games Saturday at Arizona, 107-83, dropping the Bruins’ record below .500 for the first time this season at 10-11.

But that doesn’t make it any easier, Howland said.

“It takes its toll on you because it’s not fun to be in that process,” he said. “Ultimately it’s fun when you get it turned around, and then you’re enjoying the satisfaction of taking a tough situation and turning it into a positive one.”

To help him get through this tough stretch, Howland said his wife Kim recently left him a message: “Patience and perseverance.”

He figures to need both until the Bruins get back on their feet.

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Ryan Walcott’s steady play stood out amid a rash of turnovers for UCLA on Saturday.

The junior guard came off the bench to help the Bruins cut double-digit deficits in each half against Arizona, finishing with four points, five rebounds, and most important only one turnover in 22 minutes.

UCLA had a season-worst 28 turnovers, including seven by starting point guard Cedric Bozeman. “[Walcott] did a good job settling us down in both halves,” Howland said. “So against teams that pressure us, maybe I’ve just got to play him more.”

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Though he shows flashes of ability, center Ryan Hollins remains a long-range project for the Bruins. The 7-foot sophomore had only two points and one rebound in 20 minutes against Arizona.

“I still think he’s getting better,” Howland said. “He’s really coming on in the last few weeks. If he gets committed to the weight room in the off-season and gets bigger and stronger, I think he’s going to have a chance to be a good player.”

Hollins’ highlight Saturday came early when he blocked consecutive shots by Channing Frye before the Arizona center scored on the third try.

Howland said Hollins could learn a lot by watching Frye. “He would be a good role model for Ryan Hollins to look at and say, ‘That’s who I’d like to like some day,’ ” Howland said.