Look to UCLA If You're Eyeing a Deep Tourney Run

Above is a picture of the last national championship at UCLA. It was considered one of the school's best seasons, along with the other 10 seasons that made UCLA the most storied program in college basketball. The days of glory and championships for the school may seem behind them, but their prominence in college basketball isn't.

In 2006, the Bruins advanced to the Final Four for the first time since their 1995 national championship season. They lost to a strong Florida Gators team in the championship. The following year, the Bruins returned to the Final Four, only to be downed by the same Gators team in the semifinals.

2008 was their best year yet, with sensational freshmen Kevin Love and junior Darren Collison leading the Bruins to a third consecutive Final Four. Once again, though, a strong team thwarted their plight for a 12th NCAA title.

Although UCLA is once again a national powerhouse, it has lost two key players to the NBA. Regardless, the Bruins are striving to remain in the Pac-10 and NCAA title picture. UCLA is currently ranked 19th in the country with a 20-7 record going into tonight's game. The Bruins are also fourth in the Pac-10 standings with a 9-5 record.

As the season reaches its ending point, many wonder if the Bruins can repeat what has happened in the last three seasons. A fourth consecutive trip to the Final Four is unheard of these days, but so was three straight trips.

If the Bruins advance to the NCAA Final Four once more this year, it will be because of the positive factors that impact their overall play.

Ben Howland has a solid defensive system that has helped the Bruins win conference championships and stay in the national title mix. His strategy has helped UCLA rank in the top 10 in many major defensive categories. The team ranks second in defensive rebounding and is fifth in allowing points. The Bruins top the conference in steals.

The next two opponents that are in UCLA's schedule may very well dread the idea of playing them. UCLA clobbered the Stanford Cardinal by 34 in their last meeting, and California was bested by the Bruins by 15. Precedence might help UCLA stay in contention for a fourth straight Pac-10 outright title.

Despite their good defensive numbers, though, UCLA has underperformed in recent games. UCLA lost to 18th-ranked Arizona State and Arizona before winning a crucial conference game against the Pac-10 leading Huskies. Afterwards, though, the Bruins' chances of defending their regular season crown became jeopardized after falling to Washington State in a one-point loss.

Now UCLA must hope to win the remaining games in their schedule and see some losses from conference rivals. UCLA's count of points allowed went up in the last four games. They have allowed 78.5 ppg.

UCLA is fortunate enough to have a floor general leading them. Darren Collison, one of four players left from the 2006 team that made the national championship game, is probably the best player in the Pac-10. He is averaging 15 ppg and leads the conference in assists. In addition, Collison is also a strong defensive player for his position. He has 1.7 spg, which ranks second in the Pac-10.

Alfred Aboya is becoming a good rebounder, with six boards a game for the Bruins. Josh Shipp, another member of the last three UCLA squads, is averaging 13.8 ppg. Jrue Holiday, Nikola Dragovic, and others have also been essential to UCLA's success this season.

The Bruins have four more games remaining in the schedule. Although they are fourth in the Pacific 10 standings, they are technically in a tie for second place. If they achieve a 13-5 mark, they should at the very least receive an at-large bid into the tournament. With that, they'll have the opportunity to make it to a fourth straight Final Four.

Teams with records such as UCLA's do not make it to the Final Four very often. Some are even eliminated in the first round by a solid small conference team. Still, some have shown the capability of being a national championship team. Just five years back, the Connecticut Huskies won the NCAA championship and only had one loss less than the Bruins.

If any team has the capability of winning a national title despite their win/loss record, then UCLA is an ideal team.

Their history of going deep in the tournament has now spanned into the 21st century. Three consecutive Final Four appearances is better than any other team, and it would be a shame to see the streak be put to rest anytime soon. Darren Collison's stellar senior season has kept the Bruins together, and Coach Howland's defensive system is instrumental in UCLA's success.

The odds will be higher this year than any other time for the Bruins, but no one knows what happens in March. UCLA should make it to the Elite Eight—unless they have a fourth Final Four appearance up their sleeve.