UCLA’s Own Version of the “Fab Five” Is Here, and Ready to Roll

The return of basketball is here and so are the UCLA Bruins, who are looking for their fourth consecutive Final Four appearance under Head Coach Ben Howland. Although the North Carolina Tar Heels are early season favorites with Tyler Hansbrough anchoring the boards, do not count out the young Bruins. This season's squad is their youngest team in years and that can translate into early growing pains, despite being ranked No. 4 on the AP poll. Over the past years, players like Jordan Farmar, Aaron Afflalo, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love have all left their lasting impressions on the UCLA hardwood. At the beginning of last year, after another Final Four appearance the year before, I said to myself that UCLA, with the addition of then freshman Kevin Love, had their best chance at a national championship. That dream ended last April with a 78-63 defeat to the Memphis Tigers. This year, the Final Four looks even more difficult to reach. In the NBA draft, UCLA lost their best big man in a long ... (link)