UCLA men's basketball coach Ben Howland isn't always given his due when it comes to his sense of humor. The intense, focused coach let loose a little bit during his weekly press conference in Westwood leading into Sunday's rivalry game at USC.

When a question came up about who the team's best dunker is - and if he cared - it lead to a room full of smiles after somebody asked him about his dunking prowess as a player.

"I was a 'use-the-backboard, fundamentally-sound, off-the-backboard, layup guy," Howland said before smiling and answering if it was by necessity or choice that he used his fundamentals instead of athleticism. "Both.

"I was also a tight shorts, tight short shorts guy. It's funny you go back and see the old games, just funny. There's so much material now on these shorts, you're just used to it now."

Associated Press sports reporter Beth Harris poked at Howland, mentioning that he's referenced that's how he attracted his wife Kim, which caused a room full of straight-faced reporters to chuckle.

And for the record, Howland agreed that freshman Norman Powell is the team's best dunker.