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San Francisco • Dana Altman has 25 years of head coaching behind him, with a 63.6 winning percentage and a mostly unimpeachable character around his programs.
But then, of course, there's the last six months, which sent Oregon and Altman for a loop.
What Altman referred to as "some challenges" in his opening statement at Pac-12 media day are quite serious events: The Ducks kicked three members of the men's basketball team after reports surfaced that a woman had accused the trio of sexual assault.
Two of the players participated in the postseason after the alleged incident had been reported to police. The entire saga called Altman's judgement into question, and he's well aware.
"At the time, I was not aware of the extent of the charges against the young men," Altman said Thursday, on stage and in the spotlight. "The decision was made by the president on how to handle the situation [eventually the players' dismissal]. I think the three of us made the right decision."
Since then, Altman is tightening the leash on his players. All the men's basketball team members now live in one apartment complex, and graduate assistants live with them "to help them with some of the day-to-day decisions they make."
In months, Oregon went from being one of the most talented teams in the Pac-12 to now reloading. Although they return Joseph Young who is the top scorer returning in the league, their numbers are down, and six newcomers will have to make a big impact.
The other battle is one for credibility. Altman hopes Ducks fans who were furious with him will someday be able to forgive the turmoil of the last few months.
"The last six months have not been good, but the other 25 years have been pretty solid," he said. "We've relied on that.
Healthy Ashley huge boost to Arizona
Here's a stat Sean Miller would like you to remember: When forward Brandon Ashley was healthy, Arizona was 21-0. A foot fracture ended his season last year, a season the Wildcats think might've gone past the Elite Eight last year if he had played.
But they'll have another shot this season at big things: Arizona was voted No. 1 in the Pac-12 preseason media poll, garnering all but one first-place vote. And hey, Ashley is healthy, and after averaging 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds last year.
"We worked hard to reinvent ourselves, but I think when it all ended, we wished that he was with us from start to finish," Miller said of Ashley's injury. "Having him back is a real gift for this year's team."
Arizona does have a few other gifts: returning point guard T.J. McConnell and incoming 6-foot-7 wing and McDonald's All-American Stanley Johnson. This Arizona team will definitely look a little different than last year, Miller said, but they're well on the path to defending their conference title.
"Maybe we have an advantage this year because we've been through it a few times," Miller said.
UCLA perception, expectations differ
In Westwood, there's never diminishing standards. John Wooden's statue is always watching.
That's the case again this year, even though UCLA loses three first-round NBA draft picks and was picked fourth in the conference.
"It's still UCLA," coach Steve Alford said. "Regardless of a media poll, our expectations are to win a championship."
It's a lot of hope for a coach entering his second year, and one who lost five of the eight players he had to re-recruit last year when he got the job. But he has another good recruiting class, and the players on the current team feel pretty good about what they've got going.
They'll find out quickly if those positive feelings are real: Early in the season, the Bruins have a stretch against Gonzaga, Kentucky and Alabama before starting Pac-12 play against Utah and Colorado.
"We have to hope by the time we get to the Utah/Colorado series, we're a much different team," he said.
Twitter: @kylegoon