Answers, part I

Do you know how close North Carolina Forward Deon Thompson was to coming to UCLA?
UCLA recruited him, but I never felt there was much of a chance he was going to UCLA. I don't think it was close, although others may not share my opinion.

I don't suppose you can share with us what Tavega did to get on RN's short list?
I can share it with you because I wrote it in Wednesday's paper. He was not putting forth the needed effort in the weight room. In fact, he was pretty much bailing on some weight sessions.

Scott Glicksberg, Micah Reed, Jess Ward and Sonny Tevaga, the exceptions or the rule?
That is the million dollar question. While everyone else isn't breaking rules or angering the coaching staff with their blatant disregard for rules, there is a reason coach Rick Neuheisel keeps saying he has to change the culture of the football program.

The latest message board rif-raff has Matt Barkley re-considering his commitment to USC and taking a closer look at among others UCLA. This is inaccurate, right?
Not that I've heard.

Is VB a real person or is he actually your sinister alter ego?
How can my alter ego be sinister? What would it be altered from?

When you were considering a career in journalism, did you ever think you would have to make phone calls to 17 year old high school students to see where they were considering attending college?
No, it never crossed my mind. But a lot about the job never crossed my mind. That said, I wouldn't change my professional choice for anything I can think of because it is great. The kids are usually very nice, as are their families. And once I realized I was dealing with 17-years-old who change their minds like they change underwear (ok, more frequently), it gave me a better understanding of how to do my job.

can you do a follow up with Taylor Embree to see if he did look up Taylof Swift after last weeks interview and if he changed his mind on that question? (meeting Jason Taylor or Taylow Swift)
Jill Painter did, and she wrote that Embree researched it on the internet, saw who Taylor Swift was, and said he still would pick Jason Taylor.

Several online sources reported that Tommy Trojan was painted blue last Friday, did you hear anything about this?
Yup, and I saw the picture of it. I have no idea who did it, nor do I care. Anything you want to know about it?

Is UCLA doing a better job (both in football and hoops) of keeping alumni involved and interested?
Alumni or former players? If you are talking about alumni, what more does basketball need to do to keep alums involved and interested. If three straight trips to the Final Four doesn't do it, what will? As for football, the best way to keep interest high is to keep winning. Obviously, that hasn't happened.

Is there still a shot to flip Marlon Pollard or has the staff moved on?
There is a shot, but I think it is up to coach Rick Neuheisel to get it done.