UCLA Bruins men’s basketball

The UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team is the intercollegiate men’s basketball program that represents the University of California, Los Angeles. Established in 1919, it is one of the most successful and storied programs in college basketball history. The Bruins have won a record 11 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships (1964-1975) and appeared in 18 Final Fours since their first appearance in 1939 under head coach Wilbur Johns. They are currently coached by Mick Cronin who took over for Steve Alford following his dismissal after four seasons at UCLA.

UCLA plays its home games on Pauley Pavilion which has hosted Bruin teams since 1965. It holds an all-time attendance record of 12,819 set during a game against Duke on December 20th, 2020 when fans were allowed to attend due to COVID restrictions being eased up slightly for college sports events across California universities; this was also part of ESPN’s College GameDay event held at UCLA that day as well.

The Bruins’ archrival is cross town school USC whom they play annually with each game known as “the battle for LA” or simply “the rivalry”. Over time both schools have had their share of success but often times it seems like neither can get the upper hand on one another leading to close battles between them every year regardless if either team happens to be down from previous years or not. As far as conference rivals go Arizona State Sun Devils seem to always give UCALA trouble while Oregon Ducks seemed unstoppable until recent years where they’ve lost multiple matchups against them including two nail biter victories within last three years alone – 77–72 win back November 2019 & 64–61 win earlier this season back January 2021 respectively).

Throughout its existence there been many great players come out through ranks such as Bill Walton (1973), Kareem Abdul Jabbar (1969), Gail Goodrich (1965) Reggie Miller(1987), Ed O’Bannon(1995); more recently TJ Leaf(2017) Lonzo Ball(2017). In total twenty past players have gone onto become NBA All Stars while five went onto win MVP awards led by none other than former legendary Laker himself Magic Johnson who played just two short seasons before going pro 1980 & 1981 respectfully winning National Championship each time around those same respective seasons too!

Overall UCLA remains symbol excellence amongst collegiate hoops circles even though much things changed throughout decades still stands strong today thanks dedicated alumni base fan support staff alike continuing make name themselves night after night no matter what obstacles thrown way – true testament greatness lies therein making sure legacy lives long into future generations yet come…