To celebrate 30 years of SLAM, we’re featuring the 30 most influential men’s college teams of the past 30 years. Stats, records and chips are not the main factor here, it’s all about their contribution to the cultural fabric of the game.
Over the next 30 days, Monday through Friday, we’ll be featuring full list here. We also have an exclusive retro collegiate collection out now that pays homage to the threads of each squad. Shop here.
Elite back, elite bigs. A recipe for success. Michelin star success rate. Russell Westbrook. Darren Collison. Kevin Love. Luc Mbah a Moute. Four talents heading into the league made a strong splash in the 07-08 season. The result: Three straight Pac-10 regular season titles. Third straight Final Four appearance. Since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in ’85, only four teams have accomplished the feat, just another day in the Bruins’ office.
A changing of the guard, the Bruins saw UCLA great Aaron Afflalo enter the League, but welcomed a 6-10 tree from the woods of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Kevin Love. The freshman double-double machine quickly solidified his status as a one-and-done prospect while the team’s offense flowed with 17.5 points per game. Los Angeles native Josh Shipp, Alfred Aboya and Lorenzo Mata-Real cut down Ben Howland’s strongest roster.
Love’s dominance in the paint and soft touch around the basket earned him the Pac-10 Player of the Week after demolishing Washington State. Then there was Westbrook, a player who was as fearless as they come. Collison was known for his sharp shooting accuracy and taking his hands when needed.
In charge of it all was Ben Howland, a coaching prodigy known for his disciplined approach and defensive expertise. Coach Howland was not only a coach, but a master strategist who knew how to get the best out of his players. The Bruins’ defense remained intensity-driven while driving a turnover-free backcourt offense.
The Bruins were not satisfied with just the victory. they were going to destroy every opponent. And Westbrook lets you know it every chance he gets — highlight reel after highlight reel, dashing down the court after turnaround layup. The first round of the NCAA Tournament proved just that as UCLA dominated Mississippi Valley, securing a dominating 41-point victory over Mississippi Valley. In each game, the Bruins dominated on all sides of the court.
The real test came in the Pac-10 Championship. UCLA had taken over for most of the game against Stanford. After trailing for the first 20 minutes, the Bruins kicked on in the second half to pull back a 67-64 lead. They maintained that same energy throughout the NCAA Tournament, flowing until reaching the Final Four, where they fell short. They never backed down, always leaving it all on the court.
But, amid all the style and controversy, the Bruins remained focused on their ultimate goal: winning games. And win, they did. With an impressive 35-4 win-loss record and a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, they proved they were more than just a flashy show. They were a team with heart, determination and a relentless drive to succeed. Ultimately, the ’08 UCLA men’s basketball team made a lasting impact on the college basketball scene.
Photos via Getty Images.
