With the start of their season less than a month away, the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team finds themselves still waiting for a decision from the NCAA on the fate of prized recruits Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson.

Muhammad, who is the centerpiece of a decorated recruiting class, is under investigation for dealings between his family and financial advisors who allegedly paid for two of his unofficial visits and helped fund his AAU team. Anderson is being investigated by the NCAA for potential basketball recruiting violations.

Bruins head coach Ben Howland can't talk about the matter, but he's optimistic that it'll get sorted out.

Via Fox Sports West:

"I'm just not going to comment on anything having to do with the ongoing investigation. It's inappropriate. It's not fair to the players. It's just a matter of their confidentiality and the respect to the process.

"We're moving forward and I'm very hopeful. I'm very optimistic everything's going to work out and just waiting for the process to unfold and take place."

Both players have practiced with the team -- and will do so for the season's first official practice on Friday -- but it's unlikely that either will be in uniform for the Bruins when the team opens its season on Nov. 9 against Indiana State at the new Pauley Pavilion.