The Bruins would see themselves take a step back in 2009. As they would lose Jrue Holiday and Darren Collison to the NBA. Long time Bruin guard Josh Shipp would also be gone due to eligibility being up. A team that had made three straight Final Four appearances from the 2005-2007 seasons was now stripped of much talent. The 2008 team that had so much potential and faltered down the stretch was now broken up. UCLA faced many questions on the future under Ben Howland.
The team struggled on both offense and defense. As they gave up more points than they scored on the season. They ranked 224th in the nation scoring just 66.8 points per game. Led by senior guard Michael Roll who averaged 14.1 points per game. Sophomore guard Malcolm Lee stepped up and averaged 12.1 points per game. Nikola Dragovic and Reeves Nelson helped the paint scoring at 12 and 11.1 points per games respectively.
👀 … our guy Michael Roll (@Mreezy20) 👊 #GoBruins https://t.co/37A35wPDNE
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) July 28, 2023
The storyline became Drew Gordon who was one of if not the best player on UCLA. Many felt as if he was underutilized by the Bruins. He would only play six games for them and have a tense relationship with Ben Howland. Gordon would transfer to New Mexico and become one of the best rebounders in the nation the following season there. Averaging 13.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in two seasons. Proving that he should’ve received more minutes with the Bruins front court. Gordon sadly passed away in 2024 in a car accident.
Terrible news about Drew Gordon, who had two moderately successful years w/ UCLA hoops under Ben Howland.
— L.A. in a Minute (@LaInaMinute) May 31, 2024
He transferred to New Mexico State & blossomed, drafted in the 2nd round by the Nuggets, eventually playing 9 games for the 76ers before continuing his career overseas.
🙏 https://t.co/zQ3accxBXc
UCLA would finish the season at 14-18 losing in the second round of the Pac-10 tournament to the Cal Golden Bears. Ultimately not making the March Madness tournament for the first time in six years. UCLA was now spiraling as they had a four year window to make a run and no title to show for it. Howland would need to bring in some playmakers to make a run back to the top. 2010 would prove to be a step in the right direction.