Answers, Part VI

Do you see Love playing C or PF in the NBA? Does he have the size to play center? (Seems to me he needs to put on some muscle).
Power forward. It’s not the muscle because he is plenty strong, but he will likely measure at 6-foot-9, which usually isn’t center material in the NBA.

Does he have the lateral foot speed and athleticsm to be effective on the defensive side of the court at PF in the NBA?
That is the biggest question. I think it will be a challenge, but we shall see.

Can you confirm or deny that the pace of practice has been notably faster this year in terms of plays and drills being run? This has been stated on several fan reports and blogs.
Yes, it is much faster, and there is far more enthusiasm, from the coaches down to the players. It certainly is a different vibe, but the talent level is low.

I was surprised that several players have commented that the offensive coaches last year were either inflexible (LB R. Carter) or incompetent (QB O. Rashaan). In your opinion, are these statements "sour grapes" or do they reflect team-wide concerns with last years offensive coaches?
I is not sour grapes. Communication and a high level of energy emitted from the coaching staff to the players was always an issue.

In your opinion, do you see any noticeable difference in the coaching "quality" from this year to last (specifically on the offensive side)?
I see tons of it on offense. Although the offense isn’t very good, it has improved dramatically since the second week of spring practice, which is when I started watching it. There seems to be less confusion.

There was a lot made of the connection and team cohesion of the '08 FB Recruiting Class. I am hopeful that this will translate into great teamwork once they are all in the program. Is that cohesion a product of something that the coaching staff did? Was that solely due to the players liking each other?
It was the parents and players getting to know each other, and having a connect.

Is there anything that NeuChoWalker can do to facilitate that type of camaraderie with the '09 and other future classes?
I’m sure they can talk about it with the recruits, but part of the reason it happened last year was so many of the recruits were from SoCal.

I read that Ben Bruneau broke a 60 yard touchdown in the scrimmage Friday night. What do you and/or the UCLAcoaches think of him and his ability to contribute in 2008?
There expectation is for him to be a heckuva scout team player. On the play, he missed his read and went the wrong direction.

I live in the Kansas City area and within last week the KU fans are going through the same ills as UCLA fans....a good part of the National Champion Team is going to the NBA early...what is the thinking of the college coaches across the country about the huge defect to the NBA and what if anything can be done?
I don’t know because I don’t talk to coaches around the country on that subject.