UCLA head coach Ben Howland just announced a conference call that freshman guard Matt Carlino has decided to transfer.
Howland said he was blindsided by the decision and hadn’t seen any warning signs – Howland actually said he had a great practice just the day before – and that it appears strictly to be a playing time issue.
“Obviously I’m disappointed because it leaves us shorthanded,” Howland said. “I probably should’ve played him in that Montana game and we wouldn’t have this discussion.”
Carlino suffered a concussion during preseason and missed the first two weeks of the year, and Howland decided it wasn’t prudent to play him at Kansas for his first game back.
However, as UCLA’s shooting numbers were dreadful against Montana, Howland still decided not to play Carlino. After the game, Howland even said he wouldn’t consider redshirting him.
“That’s definitely an aspect of it,” Howland said of Carlino’s dissatisfaction with playing time. “He’s done fine academically. He doesn’t see it long-term being best for him. That’s why he made the decision.”
Carlino’s transfer leaves the Bruins with just nine scholarship players heading into tomorrow’s game against Cal Poly at Pauley Pavilion at 5 p.m.