Answers, Part III

Do you think BO was given a fair shot at winning the QB job?
Actually, no, I do not. If a decision was made in five practices, I do not see how that is fair. I’m not saying the decision to go with Patrick Cowan is wrong, but for a decision to be made just a few practices is something I haven’t really seen before. And while Neuheisel said no final decision has been made (after saying Cowan as getting the first chance with the first unit), actions on the field speak otherwise.
First of all, like was first reported on the blog, the talk around UCLA was Cowan was the top quarterback.
Second, I talked to a bunch of former quarterbacks, and every one said when a quarterback is taking all the reps with the first team, and the next guy is taking reps with the second team, the decision has been made.

do you think the ditch day had a negative effect on the recruits who attended?
I know if left a bad taste in their mouths, but over the long haul, with Neuheisel and staff doing some damage control, I do think it will have much impact on the recruits. The high school coaches, however, seem to have a longer memory, so that could be an issue.

What are you hearing about next year's basketball schedule? We have to return a trip to Texas, we get Notre Dame at home and we're in the 2K Sports tournament. Anything else scheduled or in the works? Who else will be in the 2K Sports tournament and any word on the Wooden Classic opponent?
I am waiting to hear about it. From what I understand, coach Ben Howland wants to see what is happening with his roster, and who is coming back, before finalizing any non-conference games. Rest assured, though, there will be some directional schools you’ve probably never heard of.

I heard the reason the football players skipped out on practice was because was because Rick Neuheisel had a few spots left in his MLB Fantasy Pool League. My buddy says it was because they were giving away free donuts in the Campus Quad. Which of us is right?
They gave away donuts? Man, if I knew that I would have jumped the wall (or run through an open gate) myself. Especially if they were from Stan’s.

With Love and Collison pretty much gone, and Westbrook possibly leaving, who do you think will be in the starting lineup next season?
Jrue Holiday and Jerime Anderson in the backcourt, Josh Shipp on the wing, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (I think he will return) at power forward and Drew Gordon at center.

I was hoping you could address the rumor that's been floating around the national sports web pages about Coach Neuheisel either taking or sending recruits and/or players to a strip club. I'm not sure if it's true or just something that's carried over from his stint up north but do you think it's affected the discipline of the current roster?
I haven’t seen those rumors. Please email me the story or link to brian.dohn@dailynews.com.

Now that UCLA's offensive line is even thinner with the retirement of Lanis, how bad a move was it to not seriously recruit Sam DeMartines, Charlie Carmichael and Mitchell Schwartz? From what I read all 3 were top ranked 2007 recruits who are all at PAC 10 schools and at least 2nd team. Any more news on why Dorrell didn't go after these guys?
Much of the reason is because a certain number of scholarships are designated to each group, such as offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, ect. UCLA already filled its quota for scholarships on the line. UCLA has plenty of linemen on scholarship, but the question is how many of them can play at the Pac-10 level.

Any shot at Van Treese?
Very, very little.

Do you think Jrue will be one-and done player?
Right now I’ll put it at 50-50 that Holiday is a one-and-done player.