LOS ANGELES (AP) — Steve Alford faces as big a test in Westwood as his UCLA players do.
He takes over from the fired Ben Howland, who left a team that lacked consistency and cohesion. It’ll be up to Alford to foster an improved atmosphere that will make his players want to win and fans want to come out and see the Bruins.
Alford needs a strong start to win over a fan base that was less than impressed when he was hired in late March. The boosters had bigger names in mind to take over a program that has won a record 11 national championships.
Alford has one national title to his credit, having played on Indiana’s 1987 championship team under coach Bob Knight.
