The energy is high at UCLA's spring practices, but new head coach Bob Chesney is keeping a steady, experienced eye on the long game. He knows that rebuilding a program is a marathon, not a sprint, and that the path forward won't always be a straight line.

Addressing the media this week, Chesney pointed to a common mid-spring hurdle. "I told them before, practice six is usually when it dips a little bit," he noted, observing that while the defense held strong, the offense showed signs of that expected slowdown. His focus isn't on eliminating every lull, but on managing the response. He praised the team's resilience, stating, "I thought our guys fought through it really hard today... I didn't see any steps backwards."

This perspective is crucial for a Bruins squad looking to turn the page. Coming off a challenging 3-9 season and entering the rugged Big Ten, the climb back to contention requires patience. Chesney is instilling a culture where progress is measured in consistent effort, not just flawless practices. For UCLA fans, it's a reminder that every great comeback story has its chapters of grinding work before the breakthrough. The foundation is being laid, one practice at a time.