Incoming UCLA class, Pauley Pavilion, not NCAA investigation the talk of media day

The UCLA Bruins enter the upcoming season with big expectations. Head coach Ben Howland was able to secure one of the nation's best recruiting classes, and given the amount of talent returning to Westwood in 2012 many feel the Bruins could be the best team in the west.

All of this being said, there are concerns that UCLA could be without a couple of its star freshmen following the results of an NCAA investigation. This may loom over the program in the coming weeks, but it was not the primary topic addressed at media day. Here is the latest from the LA Times on the investigation.

Three times a UCLA official told the media, "We will not be speaking about the NCAA review or its impact on this team."

. . . Muhammad, from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman High, and Anderson, from Fairview (N.J.) St. Anthony, have yet to be cleared for competition by the NCAA, though they are with the team. Under rules, both can participate in workouts for 45 days, after which they either have to be cleared or must stop working with the team.

Instead, the media hounded the incoming freshmen about the upcoming season. According to those in attendance, all the freshmen handled the tough questions well, especially Shabazz Muhammad. For a player who will be the center of attention in L.A. this season, it has to be comforting to the Bruins that the 18-year-old phenom has a good head on his shoulders.