It's looking more and more likely that freshman superstar Kevin Love's one-and-done decision was the wise one.

Supremely talented for an NBA-caliber big forward, Love has consistently been projected as a top-10 pick, and some "experts" pegged him in the top five.

"If you have a chance, you take it," Love said, announcing his intentions to turn pro but saying he wouldn't sign with an agent.

Not far behind in pre-draft forecasts is point guard Russell Westbrook. He could be off the board as early as the fourth overall pick and won't likely last beyond the top 10, either.

Clearly, the defections put a dent in UCLA's chances to hit a fourth straight Final Four.

But with Josh Shipp and Darren Collison, who had reportedly decided he'd enter the NBA draft but did not, coach Ben Howland has enough to keep the Bruins in the conversation as Pac-10 contenders.

But there were other losses. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute left for the NBA. Chace Stanback decided one year at UCLA was enough, too. Stanback, a touted swingman who could've stepped into a starring role considering the offseason exodus of Bruins stars, is transferring.

All of it came on the heels of the Bruins disappointing loss to Memphis in the Final Four. Going in, partly because of Love, the Bruins were confident the third trip in a row was going to be different.

It wasn't.

UCLA showed up at the Final Four for the third straight season, and for the third time went home without its 12th national championship.

Florida bounced the Bruins in 2006 and 2007. This time it was a Memphis team that seemed a cut above in talent, confidence and execution. The Tigers smothered Love with wall-to-wall double-team tactics and overpowered Collison with longer, stronger defenders on the way to a 78-63 victory in the national semifinals.

"I had to keep my emotions in check," Love said, "because we had such a special year."

It wasn't a special ending. Love and Westbrook have found new beginnings. The Bruins have proven reloading isn't as overwhelming in L.A. as it is at some other Pac-10 locales and with the league's top recruiting class, betting against the Bruins wouldn't be a wise one.

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