Answers, Part I

What's the loudest UCLA home basketball game or Bruin tourney game you've covered? (Saturday) night's, perhaps...?
That’s tough to answer because I’ve seen a lot of games in the last five years. I will say this, though. I was impressed with the crowd in the second half because when UCLA was done, I believe by 10, and looking dead in the water, the crowd stood up and cheered in an effort to give the Bruins some energy.
Someone asked after the game if his team wins if it was played at another site, and UCLA coach Ben Howland said: “I say yes.’’

Do YOU think it was a foul? (Question applies to all controversial calls/non calls lately)
Boy, that’s a lot of calls, so I hope I don’t leave any out:
Lawrence Hill should have been called for a charge into Kevin Love.
A foul should not have been called on Hill against Darren Collison.
I was fine with the no-foul call at the end of the California game.
Take your pick on fouls called and not called in the UCLA/Texas A&M game because the officials let the big men crush one another.
Josh Shipp should have been called for fouling Donald Sloan.

Love was playing like a man possessed! I think this was his best game all season considering the circumstances. It just solidifies how mature and mentally tough a player he is. What's your take on his performance?
I never questioned his mental tough or talent, and what transpired at Oregon in January was a testament to that. Even with Collison’s two lay-ins at the end and his 21 points, I thought the difference down the stretch was Love. Not only the two big shots and his rebounds, but all seven of his blocks were in the second half. It was absolutely amazing to watch, and an example of willing a team to win. I was always impressed with how he performed, and my admiration grew with that effort.

What is the problem with Josh Shipp's shot? Is he pressing too much? Is it a mechanical problem? Has he lost confidence?
Yes, yes, and yes. In talking to him and others close to him, he is feeling pressure to make jumpers. He admits part is mechanical in that he is looking at the defenders running at him too much rather than concentrating on the shot, and confidence is an issue. He is passing up shots he usually takes. I also think fatigue is a factor. Ben Howland has talked lately about playing Nikola Dragovic more in an effort to get Shipp a little more rest.

Luc looked inept offensively with six turnovers and only one made shot. What was the matter? Is he still bothered by his ankle injury? Was he over anxious after missing the first tourney game?
I think it is more than ankle than being overanxious. If his ankle wasn’t good enough to play Thursday, it’s not as if it can be close to 100 percent two days later. He looked out of sorts, and at times, a bit winded.

how many QB's are we going to take in this class? Why are we so slow to offer the So cal QB's (T. Forcier, R. Breault, J. Nunes, or C. Evans)??
Well, in theory, UCLA already has a quarterback for the 2009 class (even if he counts against the 2008 class) because Crespi High’s Kevin Prince told the coaching staff he would enroll in January rather than go on a church mission and then enroll.
Because of that, it is my understanding UCLA is moving very slow on potential quarterbacks for the 2009. That, and the coaching staff had so much work to do in recruiting for the 2008 class and getting the playbook ready for spring practice, recruiting is further behind than in year’s past.

Do you get paid when you appear on ESPN? Does the Daily News? Do you guys get better access to stories as a result? Why do it because it surely takes time away from reporting on UCLA.
I do not get paid for it, nor does the Daily News. We both get exposure and publicity for the newspaper, which is fine for me. And it doesn’t really take away from reporting on UCLA. If I cannot afford 10 minutes for a radio or television spot, I am doing a horrible job budgeting my time.