March 2008 Archives

The Modesto Bee named UCLA basketball commit Reeves Nelson its player of the year. Here is the story.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said it was his understanding receiver Marcus Everett, who underwent ankle surgery at the end of the season, would be 100 percent for spring practice.

Aside from the 58 points UCLA allowed in the second half of the Western Kentucky win, the Bruins' defense has been stellar during the NCAA Tournament, culminating with the 56-point performance by Xavier in Saturday's regional final.
"We're peaking at the right time,'' UCLA point guard Darren Collison said. "This is right where we want to be defensive-wise. Coach (Ben) Howland has done a good job of stressing it to us about our defense all season, and that's something we're going to be targeting these next two games."

Narbonne defensive back/receiver Byrone Moore, who is being recruited hard by UCLA, accepted an invitation to play in January's prestigious U.S. Army all-star game.

Stanford twins Brook and Robin Lopez are both leaving school for the NBA, the Associated Press reported.

I asked UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel if he gave any consideration as to when red-shirt sophomore WR Dominique Johnson will sit his NCAA-mandated two-game penalty for getting his red-shirt season back after playing in the 2006 opener.
Johnson must sit out the first two games of one of his remaining seasons.
"I want to talk to Dominique about it,'' Neuheisel said. "Right now, I would say it's not next year, just based on what I know.''
The reason being is Neuheisel is uncertain about UCLA's depth.
"I don't know how quickly our freshmen will respond," he said, "but a year from now I have a feeling we'll be in much better shape."

UCLA guard Darren Collison and Russell Westbrook were named to the all-defensive team by collegeinsider.com.

I asked Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel if QB Patrick Cowan, who recently had knee surgery, would be available for spring practice.
"I'm waiting to hear, but I'm thinking, 'yes,' '' Neuheisel said.

I just spotted UCLA alum Eric Karros in the press box at Opening Day for the Dodgers. He was wearing Dodger blue, sort of. It was actually a UCLA polo shirt. Karros attends most basketball games at Pauley Pavilion.

Writers had a chance to meet with football coach Rick Neuheisel today, and here are a few of the more significant things:
He said developing a good tempo in spring practice "is a must," and he said the biggest area of concern is the offensive line, especially since it is a position that incoming recruits usually do not make an impact at.
Neuheisel said he was excited about UCLA's tight ends, saying "I have high, high hopes for that position."
Tight end Adam Heater was moved to center.
Tight end Ryan Moya is back in school, and looks "outstanding,'' according to Neuheisel.
Fullback Trevor Theriot is now on full scholarship.
As previously known, TB Kahlil Bell, DT Jess Ward and LB Josh Edwards will not take part in spring practice because of injuries.
TB Raymond Carter will take part only in non-padded drills.

Memphis coach John Calipari has been talking lately about the Tigers' lack of national respect, and Monday he said the way his Tigers played lately shows they are deserving being in the Final Four, where they will face UCLA.
"They way we played this weekend, we deserve to be in the Final Four,'' Calipari said. "We were really defensive-minded. We were really unselfish. We really took care of the ball, and offensively, we really executed.
"You got to see the true gist of the third and fourth drive, the back door cuts, the post-ups. Ya' know, all the stuff we do, you got a better vision of it for those that didn't know about it."

UCLA freshman center Kevin Love was named an Associated Press All-American first teamer. Bruins point guard Darren Collison was named to the third team.

Not that it is a surprise, but legendary UCLA coach John Wooden will not be at the Final Four. He did not attend either of the last two, either, and continues to recover at home after being hospitalized a month ago after falling at his condo.

Anyone go to the Dodgers-Red Sox game at the Coliseum last night? If you did, you had the opportunity to see Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the field at the Coliseum. If that wasn't strange enough, so was his pitching. Between the first and second innings, Abdul-Jabbar one-hopped his ceremonial pitch to the left of catcher Russell Martin. Then he sky hooked a pitch to Martin, who had stepped in front of the bag before he tossed it. Fittingly, the hook-shot pitch worked much better than his real pitch.

I am looking forward to this matchup between UCLA and Memphis because I think the contrast in styles make it very interesting.
In a nutshell, I think Memphis has the edge in athletic ability, but UCLA gets a big edge in the coaching department. I know there are some similar opponents -- like Texas and Michigan State -- but I don't think comparing how UCLA and Memphis did against each one matters much, especially since the Bruins played both of them in the first month of the season and Memphis played them in the last three days.
Anyway, what are everyone's thoughts on the matchup?

UCLA vs. Memphis is the first game of the Final Four and will tip at 3:07 p.m. pacific.
Kansas vs. North Carolina will tip at approximatley 5:47 p.m.
Also, UCLA coach Ben Howland said power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute had a small amount of swelling in his left ankle today, but he should be fine.
UCLA is off today and will do cardio and weight lifting Monday before returning to the practice court Tuesday.

Before the Memphis victory over Texas, John Calipari said this is what he told his team about advancing to the Final Four.
``I kept telling them, it's our time,'' Calipari said. ``We've been here enough. It's our time.''

While UCLA has made three consecutive Final Four appearances, Memphis made the Final Four for the first time since 1985, but that appearance was wiped from the record books because of rules violations. Their previous appearance was a memorable one. Memphis - then known as Memphis State - and UCLA played for the national championship in 1973. That was the game were Bill Walton made 21 of 22 field goals and scored 44 points.

I talked to a source of mine today, and was told Bob Lopez resigned as UCLA's director of football operations because he is possibly heading to San Diego State to join the staff there. Lopez and former coach Karl Dorrell were close, but I was told new coach Rick Neuheisel wanted to keep Lopez.
The timing isn't the best for UCLA since spring practice begins Thursday, and UCLA will have a bunch of juniors on campus over the weekend, and Lopez would play an integral role in that. However, I am told he will be gone by the end of the week.

No. 1 seed UCLA will play No. 1 seed Memphis (37-1) in the NCAA Tournament semifinals. Memphis easily dispatched Texas 85-67 today. The Tigers' only loss this season was to Tennessee.

Add Xavier's Sean Miller to the long list of opposing coaches who are amazed at what Kevin Love does, but Miller's accolades came from the way Love plays defense and rebounds.
"We got one foul on Kevin Love in the first four minutes, and I got excited,'' Miller said. "I think if we would have played 200 more minutes, he would not have picked his second foul up. He doesn't foul."
Of course, Love finished with three fouls in 33 minutes. He also had 19 points, 10 rebounds and for assists.

UCLA allowed 58 points in the second half of the regional semifinal against Western Kentucky, then allowed 57 points total in beating Xavier to advance to the Final Four. The Musketeers shot 36.2 percent from the field, which is their second-worst total of the season, but it didn't surprise Bruins guard Russell Westbrook.
"We are a defensive team,'' Westbrook said. "That's what we do to start off the game. I think we did a great job of that, guarding everybody, rotating real well, getting out in transition. It was real good for us."

Xavier coach Sean Miller said he could tell UCLA is tested when it comes to Elite Eight games, and the Bruins' talent level did hurt, either.
"They really at a way about them, as if they'd been there before'' Miller said. "Very patient on ofense, don't crack easily, don't flinch. Really stick to what makes them good."
Miller lauded the play of UCLA point guard Darren Collison and center Kevin Love.
"You appreciate (Collison) a lot more when you play against him (rather) than watching him on t.v.'' Miller said. "At the end of the (shot) clock, he just is incredible. He can make a shot himself. He makes his teammates better. And he has that dagger ability. When they need it, bang, he delivers.
"And then Love, obviously, is that extra special player that maybe UCLA hasn't had in the past that could be the difference for them now because everything really starts and stops with him. He is so mobile for a big guy. It amazes me, to see him run around like he does and not foul, and plays the minutes that he plays. Very unique."

UCLA fans chanted "one more year, one more year'' to Bruins center Kevin Love, who joked the cheers could have been for any number of Bruins.
I'm just having fun now playing UCLA basketball, playing under coach (Ben) Howland with all my teammates,'' Love said. "It feels great, but we have business to take care of next week.
"I'm not even thinking about the next level right now. I'm living in the now, living in the present so we can win these games next weekend."

Here is the game story and notebook I wrote in today's paper, and a column by Steve Dilbeck. Also, here is what UCLA coach Ben Howland said when asked if the season would be a disappointment if the Bruins did not win the national title.
"That would be very arrogant for me to ever suggest that if you go to a Final Four and don't win it all, that it's a failure,'' he said. "I don't buy that for a minute. This is a very difficult thing to do. I know it's seemingly common place because it's three times in a row.''

UCLA coach Ben Howland said the experience of losing to Florida the last two years in the Final Four should help the Bruins.
"The guys that returned from the previous couple of years have had that tough loss against Florida both times, and it was obviously very disappointing,'' Howland said. "We were beat by a great team both years. Florida was just special.
"I think that the experience that the guys have played in those two (games) have gained, along with Russell (Westbrook) and James (Keefe), really helps this team."

Bob Lopez, UCLA’s director of football operations the last five years under former coach Karl Dorrell, resigned and is expected to take a job at another school.

In the locker room, UCLA players were talking about losing in the Final Four the last two seasons, and how they weren't going there this time to come home without a title.
"It definitely left a sour taste in our mouth,'' UCLA wing Josh Shipp said. "We definitely have unfinished business. It would be great if we can accomplish this goal."

UCLA freshman Kevin Love was named the West Region's Most Outstanding Player after scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Bruins guards Daren Collison and Russell Westbrook were named to the All-Region team, as were WKU guard Tyrone Brazelton and Xavier forward Josh Duncan.

The Bruins are in the Final Four for the third consecutive season. So much for this matchup. UCLA beat Xavier 76-57. UCLA will play the winner of tomorrow's Memphis-Texas game. Kevin Love had another incredible game with 19 points and 10 rebounds and Darren Collison had 19 points.

UCLA starters have scored all 51 of the team's points. UCLA leads 51-35 with 10:45 left.

UCLA is on a 9-0 run. Russell Westbrook made a steal and the enusing layup and was fouled. But Kevin Love got the offensive rebound and as he was blanketed, he threw a pass to an open Darren Collison, who drained a 3-pointer for a 15-point lead. Xavier missed a shot on the other end and Love made a shot off the glass from the baselin to give UCLA a 17-point lead at 45-28.

The Bruins ran out to a nine-point halftime lead, and that's without Kevin Love having a big game. Love has eight points and three rebounds thus far. Darren Collison let the shot clock wind down and made a jumper with about three seconds left before halftime. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute has nine points on 3-of-4 shooting.

Xavier's Stanley Burrell, who was outspoken regarding his excitement for drawing the excitement for Darren Collison, hasn't had a great game thus far. Burrell is 0-for-4 from the field, and Collison has made 2 of 4 shots for five points. UCLA leads 24-20 with 3:58 left. The Bruins already have nine turnovers.

UCLA has made 5 of its first 9 shots and has a 16-13 lead over Xavier with 10:46 left in the first half. Of course, against Western Kentucky, the Bruins went cold in the second half. Kevin Love has yet to take a shot.

Here is the third and final set of answers from this week's bonus questions segment:

Here is the second set of answers:

I'll post three sets of bonus answers today, prior to the 3:40 p.m. tip-off with Xavier. Here's the first set:

Getting video tape on Xavier was simple, mostly because administrative assistant Doug Erickson spends the season taping almost any and every game that is on television. A bunch of televisions in the basketball office are always tuned into games, whether being broadcast live or on tape delay, and Erickson tapes them all.
In fact, all but four of Xavier's games were on television somewhere.

UCLA center Kevin Love talked about the increased role and importance of James Keefe playing well in the postseason.
"He's helping us big-time,'' Love said. "He is playing as an X-factor for us, showing up and playing great in the tournament. If we can keep that going, keep that streak alive, that will be huge for us down the stretch."

I talked to some UCLA and Xavier folks and this was the scouting report I was given on the Musketeers:
They are similar to UCLA in playing a moderately paced game, and are not expected to press because they have not pressed all season, unless they were down big late in a game.
They are very well balanced with size and scoring. The leading scorer is 6-foot-9 Josh Duncan, who is averaging 12.4 points per game and shoots the 3-pointer very well (42.9 percent). He also will start and guard Kevin Love.
Oklahoma transfer 5-7 Drew Lavender (10.9 ppg) will guard Russell Westbrook, 6-8 Derrick Brown (10.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg) will matchup with Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. C.J. Anderson, a 6-6 banger, has not attempted a 3-pointer this season and is averaging 10.8 points and six rebounds per game. Stanley Burrell (9.8 ppg, 3.8 apg) is the only starter not averaging double figures, and he will guard Darren Collison.
B.J. Raymond (10.1 ppg) is shooting 41.3 percent from 3-point range and comes off the bench, as does big-bodied Jason Love, who will also try his hand at guarding Love.
Xavier, I am told, is well-coached and their balance and experience (Duncan, Lavender and Burrell are seniors and Anderson and Raymond are juniors) make them a very good team.

Rather than guard the wing, which sometimes happens, Xavier guard Stanley Burrell said he will guard UCLA point guard Darren Collison, and he is looking forward to it.
"I take it as a challenge to guard him rather than standing out there on the wing where you're not always involved,'' Burrell said. "When coach (Sean Miller) told me about that, I was real excited."

Thanks, again, for the questions. Now, here is the sixth and final set of answers:

Here is the fifth set:

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was wearing a walking boot on his left ankle, but he said his ankle wasn't that bad and the swelling was at a minimal. He went through a morning walk-through and said he didn't experience nearly the swelling he had after the second round game
Mbah a Moute said he also took anti-inflammatory medication to ease the swelling.
UCLA coach Ben Howland said the Bruins will do another walk-through tonight and watch video of Xavier.

Here is the fourth grouping:

I was told UCLA power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute's ankle came out of Thursday's game as good as can be expected, and that he took part in today's walk through and should be ready for Saturday's game against Xavier.
Bruins coach Ben Howland has his press conference shortly, so official word should be coming soon.

Here is the third installment:

Here is the second set of answers:

What's it like being a coach this time of year? Well, UCLA's staff is getting about four hours of sleep a night. Less than 30 minutes after the completion of last night's win against Western Kentucky, assistant coach Donny Daniels was on his way back to the team hotel to finish his scouting report on Xavier.