Bonus answers, Part I

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:

can you give us your take on the win against WKU and Keefe’s impact?
The thing that concerns me the most about UCLA, even though it keeps winning, is the team is not playing nearly as well as it did in the Pac-10 Tournament, or late in the season. The Bruins do not look like they are flowing, and defense is an issue. Texas A&M shot 56 percent or so in the first half, and Western Kentucky scored 58 points in the second half. They were allowing 58 points per game heading into the contest.
As for Keefe, he brought the type of hustle plays he needs to bring. If my memory is correct, his furthest shot was 2 feet, but he ran the floor well, took advantage of Western Kentuckys inability to rebound and provided the hustle Alfred Aboya used to bring, but with better instinct.

What’s your read of the Xavier game?
I think UCLA will be helped out by the fact the Musketeers probably will not press, simply because it is not what they do. The balanced scoring is another issue UCLA must deal with. This isnt a team the Bruins can put Russell Westbrook on one guy, or Luc Richard Mbah a Moute on a guy, and say, Shut him down. Plus, Xavier has four guys that shoot the 3-pointer well.
That said, they dont have anyone who should be able to match up with Kevin Love (who does?) and Xavier hasnt seen athleticism and size like UCLA possesses. I think the tempo will be slow, with the game in the 60s. I am curious to see how Darren Collison responds after a brutal game, and whether or not he loses his defensive aggression if he picks up an early foul.

With Love probably turning pro and Mata graduating, do you think that Keefe will spend some time at center next year?
Only in an emergency. Hes not suited to play there. Hes a power forward with the ability top step outside and make a 3-pointer. That said, if Alfred Aboya or Drew Gordon are in foul trouble, or one of them is injured, Keefe may have to step in. Geez, whod have thought Ryan Wright transferring would have such an impact?

Do you think Xavier was watching the WKU game, and will employ the same type of full-court press? And if so will we be ready for it this time?
I asked a few Xavier players and each one said they watched the Western Kentucky game, but they also said they were not a pressing team, and the Elite Eight was not the time to make major adjustments to a playing style. That said, I think at times Xavier will try to press UCLA after a made basket, just to see if it works.
However, having seen a press now, and being told UCLA worked on beating one during one of Fridays walk-throughs, I think the Bruins are far more equipped to handle it. Plus, Western Kentucky knew how to press, so there was synergy there. Xavier likely will not be as good at it.

does Xavier have anyone to match up with Love?
Does anyone? The more I see him in the NCAA Tournament, the more I think he should be the national freshman of the year. Xavier will try a couple of guys 6-9 Josh Duncan, 6-8 Derrick Brown and 6-9, 255-pound Jason Love off the bench but I still see Kevin Love scoring 20 and grabbing 10 rebounds.