The prediction for a rebirth of UCLA basketball came from a high school guard still months away from hoisting his first shot inside Pauley Pavilion.
Jules Bernard watched the Bruins lose to St. Bonaventure in an NCAA tournament First Four game last month and felt a surge of disappointment. Then came the resolve.
"Right after that," Bernard said Monday of UCLA's first loss before the tournament's opening round, "I told my parents, 'That's not going to happen next year.' "
The team received binding letters of intent from Bernard, shooting guard David Singleton and center Kenneth Nwuba during the early signing period in November.