UCLA, Indiana and the NCAA basketball fan bases living in the past

1. UCLA basketball fans miss the Golden Era of Bruins hoops under John Wooden.

In terms of a disconnect between where the program is now and where it has been, UCLA is the top of the list. Bruins’ fans are quick to remind you about how they have won the most national championships in college basketball history, with 10 of those coming under Wooden in the 1960s and 1970s.

There is no question that UCLA was the gold standard for college basketball excellence, dominating the sport on a routine basis. Wooden became the wizard of Westwood as the Bruins kept piling up wins and championships until his retirement in 1975.

Things were bound to change when Wooden retired but the degree of that change has been rather significant. Outside of one title under Jim Harrick in 1995, UCLA has been largely insignificant to the big picture view of college basketball since Wooden left.

This is not to say that making the NCAA Tournament is insignificant, which UCLA has continued to do on a regular basis. The program itself only measures itself on championships, hanging only national championship banners at Pauley Pavilion.

That mindset has carried over to the fan base, who have little patience as the Bruins churn through coaches to try and find the next Wooden. Bruins’ fans are undoubtedly living in the past far more than any other fan base in the country.

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