UCLA News and Notes

UCLA HEAD COACH Ben Howland - In his third season at UCLA and 12th year as a collegiate head coach.
2005-06 - UCLA (6-1, 7 games/.857)
2004-05 - UCLA (18-11, 29 games/.621)
2003-04 - UCLA (11-17, 28 games/.393)
UCLA Totals - 35-29, 64 games/.547
2000-03 - Pittsburgh (89-40, 129 games/69.0)
1995-99 - N. Arizona (79-59, 138 games/57.2)
Overall - (203-128, 331 games/.613)


Howland recorded his 200tth career victory on Nov. 19, when UCLA defeated Delaware State 56-37 in Pauley Pavilion. In Howland's second year (2004-05) at UCLA, he joined an elite list of college coaches (28) who have led three different teams to the NCAA Tournament (Howland's overall NCAA record is 4-4) - 2005 UCLA, 2003 Pittsburgh ("Sweet 16), 2002 Pittsburgh ("Sweet 16") and 1998 Northern Arizona. In 2005, Howland led the Bruins back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002; he directed the Bruins to a win over nationally-ranked Washington; led UCLA to a third-place tie in the Pac-10 and to a Pac-10 Tournament appearance. In Howland's first year (2003-04) at UCLA, highlights included a 9-3 start (5-0 in the Pac-10), wins over NCAA Tournament teams Michigan State, Washington (twice) and Vermont and an appearance in the Pac-10 Tournament.

In his last two seasons (2002-03) at Pittsburgh - in 2003, he led the Panthers to a 28-5 overall record, No. 4 national ranking, NCAA "Sweet 16" and the Big East Tournament Championship and in 2002, Pittsburgh was 29-6 overall (school record for wins), advanced to the NCAA "Sweet 16" and the Big East Tournament title game and Howland was the consensus National Coach of the Year.

THE WOODEN CLASSIC - UCLA's appearance in the 2005 Wooden Classic will be its ninth (third consecutive, the Bruins will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak), with an overall mark of 5-3.

UCLA in the John R. Wooden Classic (5-3)
2005-06 - Dec. 10-Washington vs. New Mexico (noon), followed by UCLA vs. Nevada
2004-05(L)-Boston College 74, UCLA 64
2003-04(L)-No. 9 Kentucky 52, UCLA 50
2001-02(W)-No. 20 UCLA 79, No. 16 Alabama 57
2000-01(L)-Georgia Tech 72, UCLA 67
1998-99(W)-No. 18 UCLA 69,No. 11 Okla. St. 66
1997-98(W)-No. 15 UCLA 69,No. 8 New Mex. 58
1995-96(W)-UCLA 73, No. 20 Maryland 63
1994-95(W)-No. 2 UCLA 82, No. 7 Kentucky 81

On Nov. 30, 2002 in Indianapolis, No. 14 UCLA's 84-73 loss to No. 4 Duke was the Bruins' only appearance in the then third-annual Wooden Tradition.

Wooden Classic Press Conference - To highlight the upcoming Wooden Classic, a press conference, featuring all four head coaches and John Wooden, will be held at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim (Service Level/East End) at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. The 12th annual Wooden Classic will be held Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Arrowhead Pond (noon-Washington vs. New Mexico/2:30 p.m.-UCLA vs. Nevada/KCAL). This will be UCLA's ninth appearance (third consecutive) in the Wooden Classic. The Bruins have a Classic record of 5-3 (last year, UCLA was defeated by Boston College 74-64).