The 2003–04 UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2003–04 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season. The Bruins competed in the Pacific‑10 Conference (Pac‑10) and played home games at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California.
Head coach
- Ben Howland – first season as UCLA’s head coach, succeeding Steve Lavin.
Season record
- Overall: 20 wins – 9 losses
- Pac‑10 conference: 12 wins – 6 losses (finished third in the conference standings)
Postseason
- The Bruins received an at‑large bid to the 2004 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
- UCLA was eliminated in the first round of the tournament.
Key players (selected roster members who contributed significant minutes)
- Jordan Farmar – senior guard, team captain
- Ryan Hollins – forward/center, noted for rebounding and interior defense
- Noel Johnson – guard/forward, recognized for three‑point shooting
Notable season facts
- The 2003–04 campaign marked the beginning of Ben Howland’s tenure, which later produced three consecutive Final Four appearances (2006–2008).
- The Bruins improved their conference record compared with the prior season and returned to the NCAA tournament after missing the postseason in 2002–03.
Roster overview
| No. | Player | Position | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Jordan Farmar | Guard | Senior |
| 5 | Ryan Hollins | Forward/Center | Junior |
| 11 | Noel Johnson | Guard/Forward | Senior |
| 12 | Jason Kapono | Guard | Sophomore |
| 21 | Aaron Leavell | Forward | Junior |
| ... | … | … | … |
(Only a subset of the full roster is shown; the complete roster included additional scholarship and walk‑on players.)
Schedule highlights
- Regular‑season victories over conference opponents such as Arizona, Stanford, and Washington State.
- Losses to Pac‑10 rivals included defeats at Arizona and at Oregon.
- The Bruins concluded the regular season with a 20‑9 overall record, securing a mid‑seed in the NCAA tournament field.
Historical context
The 2003–04 season is often regarded as a transitional year for UCLA basketball, setting the foundation for the program’s resurgence under Howland. While the team did not advance beyond the tournament’s opening round, the season marked a turning point that preceded a period of sustained national competitiveness.
All information reflects documented statistics and records from the 2003–04 NCAA men’s basketball season.
