Steve Alford is expected to return to UCLA despite poor finish

Barring a departure of his own choosing, he's expected to return for a sixth season coaching the Bruins after securing another highly touted six-man recruiting class.

Alford touts his three appearances in NCAA tournament regional semifinals since arriving at UCLA, but he's the only coach to last at least five seasons at the school and not advance to a regional final since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

His contract, which runs through April 2021, stipulates that he will meet with UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero between April 1 and April 30 each year to discuss the option to extend Alford's contract by an additional year. This time, the conversation will come in the wake of…