Shabazz Muhammad to UCLA: Bruins' Top Recruit Will Restore Prestige to Program

It's a new day for Ben Howland and the UCLA basketball program. And it has the potential to be a very good day.

Landing Shabazz Muhammad to pair with Kyle Anderson—arguably two of the top five prospects in the country—has to make UCLA not only one of the favorites to win the Pac-12 next season, but should make them contenders come March as well.

With the Wear twins and Joshua Smith already suiting up for the Bruins, the team has the look of a winner next year.

Muhammad and Anderson really are the perfect pair. Muhammad is a scorer, plan and simple, and he'll man the wing. Anderson does a little bit of everything and can play both guard positions and point forward if called upon.

He'll get everyone involved and make his teammates better. His game seems mature enough to handle Muhammad's need to make his presence felt by scoring the rock.

One thing is for certain—UCLA won't lack for size or athleticism next season.

Of course, the hope is Muhammad and Anderson can help change the culture surrounding the UCLA program as well, one that has not been positive in recent years.

After three straight trips to the Final Four from 2006-08, the program has been marred by immature players who have let partying and fighting distract the school's ever-present championship hopes. The calamity was outlined by Sports Illustrated's George Dohrmann in early March.

Muhammad will be called upon to change that as the Bruins' prized recruit, as will Anderson. Together, the two can change UCLA both on and off the court, and return the prestige to this proud program.

It's a lot of pressure to place on a freshman. Such are the responsibilities of entering a program with such high expectations, I suppose.

Success on the court can alleviate prior issues off of it. Muhammad's scoring will bring success. So will Anderson's team-first play.

It's a new day for UCLA basketball, indeed.

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