Answers, Part I

Have you heard if RNeuheisel is going to change up the uniforms a bit?
I know that keeps getting talked about, but I haven’t heard that. Every time I check, I’m told things are the same.

How much have the stocks of Darren Collison and Kevin Love risen in the eyes of NBA scouts over the course of the tournament? Westbrook's has fallen, I'd assume?
Love’s is rising, but I’m not sure how much higher his could have gone anyway. He was always a top 15, but maybe now he is a top 10. As for Collison, it could go either way. He had trouble keeping Donald Sloan in front of him against Texas A&M, but scored seemingly at will. He was invisible against Western Kentucky, but had a great game against Xavier. As far as Westbrook, he what he showed all season, a great defender, a tough guy to stop in transition and an inconsistent jump shooter.

Have you heard anything on the recruitment of Jemremy Tyler? (basketball)
Not much, and mostly because UCLA is hunkered down with the tournament that recruiting is on the back seat.

With players like Chase Stanback this year, Jrue Holiday and crew next year, and Reeves Nelson(assuming he stays), do you give UCLA a shot to make the Final Four for the near future?
I think by the time Nelson gets to UCLA, Holiday will also be gone. Ben Howland is a tremendous game coach, but I think this is the best chance to win a national title. I think UCLA will have trouble inside next season, and getting to the Final Four is a tough proposition to begin with. I think this is UCLA’s best chance to win, plain and simple.

With Neuheisel do we have a shot to put together runs like we have in basketball for football?
I think it is a long shot for UCLA football to be at the elite level year after year. It goes back to what I’ve said for a long time, that it is much easier to build a basketball program because the numbers of far less. Football cannot be turned around in a year or two. It takes time, and one bad recruiting class came impact things for years. Again, because of the numbers in football, UCLA’s academic requirements make it difficult to field an elite program year after year.

Has Ben Howland ever explained to you why he likes to call (or at least has no problem with calling) a timeout immediately after a UCLA score?
He usually does it because he sees something on the defensive side he wants to fix, and that is the best time. There are times he will call a timeout to give his players a rest, but it is usually to fix a defensive problem.

What's you take on the Mephis game, how do you see it playing out?
In short, I see it being a battle to control the tempo. I think UCLA will have trouble with Memphis’ athleticism and length, but the Tigers will not be able to control Kevin Love. If Darren Collison and Russell Westbrook can keep Chris Douglas-Roberts and Derrick Rose from dribble penetration, it will greatly aid UCLA’s cause. To me, the biggest factor is coaching, and I give UCLA a huge edge, which is why I think the Bruins win a close game.