Depressing story – if you’re a UCLA fan – this morning in the Los Angeles Times: UCLA freshman Kevin Love, who was integral in guiding the team to its third straight Final Four, apparently has told coach Ben Howland that he’s making himself eligible for the NBA draft. (Love’s mother denied the story to his hometown paper, the Oregonian.) There’s more. The Times says point guard Darren Collison is expected to leave, too. And sophomore SG Russell Westbrook’s family has indicated if he’s going to be a lottery pick (sure appears that way), he’s gone. Shockingly, Luc Richard and Josh Shipp are contemplating not hiring an agent but declaring for the draft. And reserve Alfred Aboya seems to be leaning on quitting the team to pursue a Master’s Degree.

Nice little run, Ben Howland, but if all these guys bounce, Arizona State’s going to win the Pac-10 next year. Arizona and Stanford are losing too much.

Sources say Love will leave UCLA (LA Times)