Shabazz Muhammad: Landing Top Recruit Will Save Ben Howland's Job

A few months ago, the state of the UCLA basketball program was in turmoil and head coach Ben Howland's future with the program seemed to be in jeopardy.

But now, one key signing later, Howland's job is secure.

In landing Shabazz Muhammad—the second-rated high school prospect in the Class of 2012—UCLA became more than a contender to win a Pac-12 that was vastly underwhelming in 2011-12. The Bruins became the team that could be the Kentucky of 2012-13, an early favorite to dominate the entire NCAA landscape next season. 

And with that signing, Howland once again became acceptable.

UCLA went 19-14 last season and missed the NCAA tournament. It made more headlines for behind-the-scenes personnel problems than it ever did for winning a game. A special report written by Sports Illustrated's George Dohrmann painted a picture of a program that had gone far off the rails because of Howland's ineffective leadership and recruiting philosophies.

Dohrmann wrote: 

"

Over the last two months SI spoke with more than a dozen players and staff members from the past four Bruins teams. They portrayed the program as having drifted from the UCLA way as Howland allowed an influx of talented but immature recruits to undermine team discipline and morale. Fistfights broke out among teammates. Several players routinely used alcohol and drugs, sometimes before practice. One player intentionally injured teammates but received no punishment. 

"

It was a surprise to some, therefore, when UCLA decided to retain Howland at the end of yet another disappointing season.

Now that he has pulled in Muhammad, it's not so surprising.

Muhammad is the recruit every top program in the nation wanted to land. The 6'6" small forward, a lethal shooter from all over the court, is the kind of player who will be capable of changing the entire complexion of the Bruins right away.

According to Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Eisenberg, the Bruins had "substantially" boosted their ticket sales within 24 hours of Muhammad's commitment to UCLA. Ever since the days of Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook ended in 2008, the Bruins have lacked the star power to engage a fanbase that expected to compete year in and year out. 

Muhammad, of course, changes all of that. He, along with fellow top-five recruit Kyle Anderson, give Howland the beginnings of one of the strongest recruiting classes in the country.

They proved that UCLA's slow fall from grace over the last five years wasn't a deterrent. UCLA, after all, is still the house John Wooden built and still one of the most desirable destinations for the best high school prospects, recent troubles aside.

Muhammad, in essence, is the first step toward helping UCLA rebuild its legacy and in the process, he will allow Howland to rebuild his own.