UCLA football might be going in reverse, but Ben Howland has the hoops program headed in the right direction. The Bruins made it to the NCAA championship game last year and are ranked number 5 and off to a 4-0 start this season despite losing team leader Jordan Farmar to the Lakers (where he's ridding the pine).

Darren Collison is more than filling his shoes. He's quicker, a much better shooter and a truer point guard. He's only a sophmore and is going to get better as the season goes on. That goes for the entire team. Aaron Afflalo is back for his junior season after testing the NBA waters - he didn't have agent. He's one of the smoothest players in the country and is a shut down defender. Josh Ship, a sophmore, is back from a missing a season due to a hip injury. He's the most solid player to come to Westwood in a long time. The crazy Camerooonians, Mbah a Moute and Aboya, just sophomores as well, are back. Lorenzo Mata, a bit of a spaz on the offensive side of the court and a brick at the foul line, is an imposing figure in the middle of the lane and makes the most of his offensive rebounds and in close shots. He's also a sophmore. Michael Roll, another sophmore, comes off the bench and bombs threes. There's not a senior on the roster, so this team, which is pretty damn good now, should be awesome next year with a stellar recruiting class on the way.

Just looking at this team, it's hard to believe they are so good. They have no real stars. They have no real height. They have limited experience (other than the amazing run in the tourney last year), but they win. And they win despite often dismal 3 point shooting and embarassing results from the line. Against Kentucky in the semis of the Maui Invitational, for instance, they won going away despite hitting 10% of their 3s (3 for 30) and were, at one point 3 for 12 from the line. Imagine if they could shoot. They led the Wildcats by 17 in the first half, lost the lead in the second with the pathetic shooting but pulled away in the end.

How are they doing this? Two reasons. Defense and turnovers. They soffocate opposing teams and do not give the ball away on offense. This is a recipe for many, many wins. Looking at their schedule, they shouldn't have too much trouble earning a number seed in the NCAA provided everyone stays healthy. They have a very soft opening schedule and should cruise in the PAC-10 for the second year in a row.

It's really good to see UCLA back on top of the college game where tradition dictates they belong and with Ben Howland at the helm, they should stay there for years to come.