Season near end for UCLA and UCI

Lavin's final year was dismal. Howland's first year is looking just as bad. In the end, what can you do when your guards are too slow and your front line guys can't bang around inside?

UCLA gets beat by speed guard play or by dominate front line players and if the opponent has both, UCLA has almost no chance.

Meanwhile, UCI gave a good fight against Utah State but lost. UCI did manage to get back into the game and had a chance to tie on the final possession but the shot didn't go in.

As for the NCAAs... who are the serious powers to win it all? Probably Duke from the ACC. Stanford from the Pac10. Pittsburgh from the Big East. After a dismal start Michigan State from the Big10 is doing well. I'm not convinced that the Big12 is that strong this year. St. Joe's has been beating up on A10 teams which might not be proof they have what it takes to go to the final four. One wonders if Gonzaga is going to finally break the monopoly of the power conferences as they no longer fly under the radar out there in the WCC. Some people are talking up the SEC but I'm still skeptical given past collapses in the NCAA.