Los Angeles Times

Bill Plaschke: Steve Alford has the team and tools to lead UCLA on a longer run and save his job

LOS ANGELES_The memory is still there.

"Like it's yesterday," says Kris Wilkes.

The snow falling outside the University of Dayton Arena. The quiet chill building inside the UCLA basketball team.

The rage of St. Bonaventure. The resignation of the Bruins. The worst defeat in the UCLA coaching career of Steve Alford.

The last time some fans were paying attention to this team, it was the middle of last March, and the Bruins were falling to the Bonnies, 65-58, in an NCAA tournament play-in game.

"For us to lose a game like that ... " says Wilkes, shaking his head.

Some people

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