Ben Howland dismissed a report that indicated his job was in jeopardy.

"I can’t help you in substantiating anything that is written on the boards," Howland said.

Howland, now in his tenth season at UCLA, expects to be evaluated at the end of this season.

"Everything at UCLA since I’ve been here has been very much the same in that you are evaluated at the end of every season,” he said.

UCLA is leaning toward firing Ben Howland before the end of this season, according to sources.

Sources are indicating booster and donation support of Howland has diminished considerably, brought on by a late-November, early-December stretch in which UCLA lost three of five games.

Howland is 216-100 as Bruins coach.

Kansas and Georgetown have expressed interest in acquiring former UCLA center Joshua Smith, according to people close to the situation.

Smith is reportedly interested in transferring to Washington, but it’s unikely he’ll be able to transfer within the Pac-12 Conference.

Smith quit the UCLA basketball program on Nov. 28, citing unspecified personal reasons.

Shabazz Muhammad is down to 222 pounds after debuting at around 235 pounds against Georgetown.

"It definitely impacted my athletic ability, and everyone could see that I wasn't that athletic," Muhammad said of the extra weight. "Today in practice, I was just so explosive. I could feel it."

Muhammad is adjusting to the responsibility of monitoring what he eats and has switched to a diet of mostly salads and water.

"It's completely new," Muhammad said. "Ever since I've been on my own in college, you can eat whatever you want. I think that's just a maturity thing. ... It's really taken me a long way."

Muhammad was averaging 16 points and five rebounds per game, despite his limited athleticism.

"You can see it in him compared to three weeks ago," Bruins coach Ben Howland said. "He's in better physical condition. You can see his body; he's lost a few pounds."