Southern California college basketball heats up competition Southern California


Patrick Hodgson


Ladies and gentlemen, college basketball has returned to its summit in California thanks to a resurgence of programs such as USC, UCLA and Long Beach State. All three programs have had their best seasons in quite some time. To the USC Trojan basketball players, it had to be arduous to adapt to a second fiddle role to their championship-caliber football team. For UCLA it has to be long overdue for a program that has 11 championship banners showcased in the rafters of Pauley Pavilion. For the Long Beach State 49ers it feels longer than an epic since the team had a competent season.

The Trojans compiled a 17-13 record which was their most successful season in five years. Led by sophomore Nick Young, the team gave the fans much to applaud, especially with a key 15-point victory over defending champions North Carolina.

Even though they were not granted a spot in the NCAA Tournament it certainly beat their 17-13 record and was a step in the right direction after a dismal 12-17 season a year ago. With Young and fellow sophomore Gabriel Pruitt, averaging 17 points a piece, the team will be more dangerous next season with a year of experience under its belt and should make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

What can you say about Ben Howland’s resilient Bruins. They have made it to their 16th Final Four appearance and are the favorite for Saturday’s match up against LSU with a spot in the championship game on the line. UCLA Legend Bill Walton’s comment about printing up the championship banners in Indianapolis a month ago doesn’t sound so absurd now. The team has won 31 games this season and has only lost six and has knocked off potent teams in the tournament such as Alabama, Gonzaga and Memphis. With a team full of freshmen and sophomores, one can expect a plethora of championship contending teams Westwood is accustomed to over the next several years.

Then there are the 49ers. This team brought life back into the program and had The Walter Pyramid rocking after leading the nation in scoring at just under 84 points a game and finishing up the season with an 18-12 record. The team came up 6 points short of reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995 after losing to a very good Pacific Tiger team in the Big West Championship game. While, it remains a great enigma on why the 49ers were not selected to the NIT Tournament for an impressive season the team has a great upside for next season. Despite the loss of All Big West First team selection Jibril Hodges and a solid forward in Shawn Hawkins, three starters will return and make this team one of the favorites to win the Big West Conference next season.

In the near future look for these three programs to continue to resurrect California basketball led by a UCLA championship this season and to continue next season with a Big West Championship from LBSU and a tournament appearance from USC. Trojans, 49ers and Bruins start reserving your tickets now because next season it might be hard to find a seat at these games.

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