Special Q&A

Brian - great job as usual. Was wondering: What's the loudest UCLA home basketball game or Bruin tourney game you've covered? Last night's, perhaps...?

Do YOU think it was a foul? (Question applies to all controversial calls/non calls lately)

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?

What is the problem with Josh Shipp's shot? Is he pressing too much? Is it a mechanical problem? Has he lost confidence?

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?

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)??

I use to love this blog Brian...as I told you that I was an addict...

Over the last few weeks...I have defended you to other Bruin fans about your impartial approach to the Bruin Nation....

...But now I am not sure you are neutral at all....if you really don't LIKE UCLA sports..why don't you cover someone else. I am sure there would be many many guys who would love reporting on UCLA Athletics who also love the teams.

If you don't have passion in life for "something", then you won't do a Great job. I and many others don't feel that you have passion for UCLA. I read more passion in Jill Painter's stories for the Bruins!

When you posted that "one" photo of Josh Shipp's foul,
you have essentially taken away a great win and celebration for the Bruins.

There are so many other "missed" or "non" foul calls throughout the game for both teams...but to point out that one is not impartial. Perhaps you should turn your microscope to every frame of the game a dissect it like science project.

I know a lot of UCLA fans who won't read your column anymore. As you continue your style of "impartiality", the UCLA athletic department and coaches will lend you less and less info. This is how this world works...and you are building an adversarial relationship with the Bruin Nation.

I so appreciate the tidbits and info you get on player and situations within the teams...but either be a fan of the Bruins or get off the pot!

My season tickets are right across the aisle from Diane Pucin of the Times. I really respect her because of her approach. She is tough on UCLA when it is call for...and cheers for them through her words when they perform well! That is journalism.

You are covering/writing on the Best Overall program in College Athletics!! Be gracious and grateful for that! Don't bite the hand that feeds you!

Leo Hsieh

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.

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.

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.

Brian,

Why was Josh Carter's basket which hit the top of the backboard allowed? Isn't in the same violation of Shipp's basketball against Cal?

Should read "Isn't in the same violation of Shipp's basket against Cal?

David Hall used to be a Pac-10 ref ... is he still this season? If so, how could he be assigned to referee the Stanford/Marquette game in the NCAA?

Brian: I know there is not much chance of this happening but what if both DC and KL come back next year. What happens to the scholarships that are supposed to be given to the new kids coming in?

Actually, Brian, you kinda are supposed to root for the Bruins. Currently, I've live in the Bay Area, but I've also lived in NYC and Washington D.C. In all cases, the reporting is either openly biased in favor of the local teams, or written in a not so clever code to reveal the bias.

The idea is that sports is an escape from life, and the whole idea is to root for the home team. The idea that if you aren't "objective" that you are somehow violated your "hippocratic" oath of journalistic ethics is actually amusing.

As others have pointed out, your audience is Bruins fans. If you don't want to write for them, you should find another line of work.

And in answer to your question, it wasn't a foul, but it was a great game, and the Bruins won.

Brian, i stand behind your reporting. You take the honest approach and support as well as question the bruins. If people are upset they should just not read this blog. But aside from that, What lineman does UCLA have its sights on for this upcoming recruiting year? Coach Neuheisel said he needed to approach that area this year. Can UCLA finish higher than 4th in the Pac 10 for football this upcoming season?

Who is the best point gaurd in the country? Where does collison rank?

What is your relationship like with Ben Howland?

What do you think of the new MacBook air?

Brian,
Who should I contact to request a new UCLA beat writer? Can you please provide the name and contact information? Thank you.

Many times I've disagreed with your posts, but log on everyday just the same. If I ever get to a point where I don’t enjoy reading what you have to say, I will move on to another site. I think you put an enormous amount of time and effort with keeping Bruin fans updated and informed. I myself like a little controversy and interaction rather than the same old stuff.

How much does this discouraged you?

How long can you see yourself hanging on doing this?

Assuming that the Bruins return everyone with the exception of Collison and Love, do you see them winning another 30 games next season?

I asked you this before, but didn't get an answer, and the A&M game is a glaring example....do you know why Collison doesn't drive more? Why wait until the last mins of game for that productive part of his game (score or assist)? And why doesn't Russ drive more, too? His terrific drive and dish to KLove for a 3pt play early in the game was nowhere to be found after that. Do you know why??

What's your take on the the Western Kentucky team and the match up with the Bruins?

I was at the game against A&M with my son and visibly saw Kevin Love turn it up a notch to win it on both ends, 7 blocks for a guy that was generally criticized for being very soft defensively; what happened, other than an immense will to win??

Brian,

1. Ignore the cranks as best you can. A thick skin helps.
2. Of the players who were on last year's Final 4 team, only Collison is playing better this year. Westbrook had a great season but seems to be reverting to his out-of-control ways lately; Shipp & Luc have dropped wayyyy off. Obviously Love adds a lot; but do you think UCLA can win it all with essentially no contributions from Josh & Luc?

Take us back a week, search your feelings and explain your reasoning to use the title "luc's lie".

Do you feel it was an affront to you? and do you feel Ben owes you better.

I, and I'm sure there are many others, appreciate your unbiased approach to reporting UCLA matters. If I want a biased opinion I'll talk to UCLA friends and check on other sites geared towards giving ONLY the Bruin view. Don't ruin your credibility by becoming a mirror of the BN site (even though I enjoy their site).

Be honest- are you just trying to be a shock-jock and just stir the pot, create some controversy and all, and get a wider audience that way? Otherwise, I find it hard to believe that someone who professes to be objective can be so openly critical about a program. I know you don't have any USC roots but you sure seem to get under our skin like one.

But I do frequent the site mostly to catch up on the latest news about UCLA which I can't seem to find anywhere else. For that, I applaud you.

Why does it take so long to get a comment posted? Is there a way to speed up the process and could your IT person help with that? It takes awhile for the process to take and that might explain why you get so many repetitious posts.

The way I see it, if you do not have any haters, you must be doing something wrong. Keep up the good work... btw no real question here, just thought that it had to be said.

with UCLA down 10 and aTm making shots that carom off the top of the backboard, u must have been dreaming of the caribbean. were u bummed u can't go on vacation yet?

with UCLA down 10 and aTm making shots that carom off the top of the backboard, u must have been dreaming of the caribbean. were u bummed u can't go on vacation yet?

How many tickets are allotted to each school for the games in Phoenix?

Has Keefe officially passed Aboya on the depth chart? It seems he is now getting more minutes than Aboya. I seem to remember Aboya hurting his ankle but he seems fine now. If you are not sure can you see what Howland has to say about it some time this week? Thanks

Why doesn't the BB team have many fan promotions? Is it that they are too big, and only reserve special promotions for big donors? Is it Ben Howland's doing?

Brian,
Keep up the good work...I'm glad you are not a homer. I go on this blog for solid info. Jill does a great job too.