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Final analysis for Bruins

By David Wharton
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An interesting dichotomy in the final season statistics for the UCLA basketball team.

The Bruins, who lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Villanova, shot 49% for an average 75.5 points, the highest offensive output in Ben Howland‘s six seasons coaching in Westwood. They made almost 40% of their three-point attempts, another Howland high.

But in a program that emphasizes defense, the numbers at the other end of the court weren’t so good.

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Opposing teams shot 44.5% and scored an average of 64 points. During the Howland era, only his second team in 2004-05 fared worse.

Asked whether he still considers field-goal percentage defense to be the key statistic, Howland said: ‘I’m always going to be that way.’

-- David Wharton

Sports Now
David Wharton

David Wharton has filled an array of roles – covering the courts, entertainment, sports and the second Persian Gulf War – since starting as a Los Angeles Times intern in 1982. His work has been honored by organizations such as the Society for Features Journalism and Associated Press Sports Editors and has been anthologized in “Best American Sports Writing.†He has also been nominated for an Emmy and has written two books, including “Conquest,†an inside look at USC football during the Pete Carroll era.

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