Steady Howland anchors UCLA

PHOENIX – Before he scaled the steps and snipped away the net at the U.S. Airways Center, UCLA coach Ben Howland gave a few instructions to the attendant steadying the ladder.

“Move it back,” he said. “Now to the right – just a little bit.”

Howland raised his palm.

“There you go,” he said. “Perfect.”

More than any coach in the country, Howland is becoming an expert at net-cutting ceremonies. And for the first time in nearly three decades, so are the Bruins.

Saturday’s 76-57 victory over Xavier propelled UCLA into the Final Four for the third straight season and, more importantly, continued a run of success that the Bruins haven’t enjoyed since the days of John Wooden.

“I’m happy for my players,” Howland said. “This is all about them.”

Not exactly, coach.

All-American forward Kevin Love is one of the top players in college basketball, and UCLA touts a pair of NBA guards in Russell Westbrook and Darren Collison. But the Bruins always have attracted high-caliber players.

For 28 years, though, they never could find a coach quite like Howland.

“You don’t make it to the Final Four three straight times,” Collison said. “Obviously, coaching has something to do with it.”

It’s not as if folks in Westwood are comparing Howland to Wooden. Considering Wooden won 10 NCAA titles from 1964 to 1975, they probably never will.

Still, in this age of parity – and with so many players leaving school early for the NBA – what Howland has accomplished is a remarkable feat.

UCLA on Saturday became just the fourth team to advance the Final Four in three consecutive seasons since the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

The last three schools to accomplish the feat (Duke, Kentucky and Michigan State) all won national titles.

The Bruins lost to eventual champion Florida the last two seasons, but, under Howland, you’ve got to figure their time is coming soon.

“We came close twice,” forward Josh Shipp said. “The last two years left a sour taste in our mouth. We definitely have some unfinished business to take care of.”

Even if it doesn’t happen for the Bruins this spring, UCLA fans have to appreciate the stability Howland has brought back to the program.

They pride themselves on tradition, but the Bruins haven’t exactly dominated college basketball in the post-Wooden era.

UCLA reached the Final Four just three times in the period between Wooden’s retirement in 1975 and Howland’s third year in 2006. Gene Bartow and Larry Brown led the Bruins to the Final Four in 1976 and 1980, respectively, and UCLA won the 1995 national title under Jim Harrick.

The shortcomings caused UCLA to go through seven coaches between Wooden’s departure and Howland’s hiring in 2003.

The average tenure of those coaches? Four years.

“When you walk around Pauley Pavilion, you don’t see Final Four banners,” Love said. “You see national championship banners. That’s what people expect. That’s what it’s about.”

Howland knows that all too well, which may be why he often seems so uptight and colorless. Asked if he and players feel the pressures of representing such a high-profile program, Howland said: “Pressure drives us. That’s why we’re at UCLA. You have to thrive under pressure. Pressure is good.”

If anything, Saturday seemed like a day when Howland may be able to unwind a bit.

Fueled by its trademark defense, UCLA made it look easy against Xavier from start to finish. The Musketeers shot just 36.2 percent in a game that saw two Bruins (Love and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute) record double-doubles.

Still, Howland remained calm and composed while his players danced about the court, waving Final Four T-shirts and hats during the postgame festivities.

A half hour later, Howland stood outside the Bruins’ locker room and explained his postgame demeanor.

“Number one, we expected to win,” he said. “But I’m enjoying this. I am.

“When I’m by myself and have a chance to reflect on how special this is, I feel very thankful to God.”

At that point someone asked Howland if we’d ever see him “let loose,” if he ever would jump around the court and scream and cheer and laugh after a win. The coach responded with a gentle grin.

“I hope to,” he said. “Someday.”