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To have a good time SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s faculty groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, data and chips aren’t the primary issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural cloth.
For the following 30 days—Monday by way of Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full listing right here. We’ve additionally bought an unique retro collegiate assortment, out now, that pays homage to every squad’s threads. Store right here.
Elite backcourt, elite bigs. A recipe for fulfillment. Michelin star degree of success. Russell Westbrook. Darren Collison. Kevin Love. Luc Mbah a Moute. 4 League-bound skills emphatically stormed into the 07-08 season. The consequence? Three-straight common season Pac-10 titles. A 3rd-straight Remaining 4 look. For the reason that tourney expanded to 64 groups in ‘85, solely 4 groups have completed such a feat—simply one other day on the workplace for the Bruins.
The Bruins altering of the guard noticed UCLA nice Aaron Afflalo enter the League however welcome a 6-10 tree from the forests of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Kevin Love. The freshman double-double machine shortly cemented his standing as a one-and-done prospect whereas the group’s offense flowed by way of the 17.5 factors per recreation scorer. LA native Josh Ship, Alfred Aboya and Lorenzo Mata-Actual have curtailed Ben Howland’s strongest roster.
Love’s dominance within the paint and smooth contact across the basket earned him Pac-10 Participant of the Week after destroying Washington State. Then there was Westbrook, a participant who was as fearless as they arrive. Collison was identified for his pinpoint taking pictures accuracy and taking issues into his personal palms when wanted.
The person in control of all of it was Ben Howland, a training prodigy identified for his disciplined strategy and defensive experience. Coach Howland wasn’t only a coach however a grasp strategist who knew easy methods to get one of the best out of his gamers. The Bruins’ protection remained rooted in depth whereas executing offense with no hint of a turnover.
The Bruins weren’t happy with simply profitable; they had been out to destroy every opponent. And Westbrook let you already know it with each likelihood he may—emphatic screams after highlights, strutting down the court docket after rim-rocking throw-downs. The primary spherical of the NCAA match proved simply that when UCLA dominated Mississippi Valley, securing a commanding 41-point win over Mississippi Valley. Every recreation was the Bruins dominating on all sides of the court docket.
The true check got here within the Pac-10 championship. UCLA was down for a lot of the recreation in opposition to Stanford. After trailing by way of the primary 20 minutes, the Bruins kicked into gear within the second half and managed to snag a back-and-forth 67-64 win. They saved that very same power all through the NCAA Event, breezing by way of till they hit the ultimate 4, the place they fell quick. They by no means backed down, at all times leaving all of it out on the court docket.
However, amidst all of the type and swagger, the Bruins remained targeted on their final purpose: profitable video games. And win, they did. With a formidable win-loss report of 35-4 and a deep run within the NCAA match, they proved to be greater than only a flashy present. They had been a group with coronary heart, willpower, and a relentless drive to succeed. Finally, the ‘08 UCLA males’s basketball group made an everlasting influence on the collegiate basketball scene.
Images by way of Getty Photographs.
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