Steve Alford appeared at ease last week as he stood on the edge of the Pauley Pavilion court, his trim physique and thick mop of gelled hair almost as reminiscent of the sweet-shooting Indiana schoolboy as a 52-year-old nearly three decades into his coaching career.
The moment was a throwback to a much simpler time.
In a matter of days, Alford’s biggest worry would shift from shepherding freshman-laden UCLA through its early schedule to the jarring possibility of returning from a season-opening trip to China with three players staying behind to deal with the fallout from allegedly shoplifting designer sunglasses.