Answers, Part IV

Which, if any, of the Hawaiian recruits are Mormon and will need to take time off to go on their mission?
I don't know which guys are and which are not.

Brian, your early predictions for this years Bruin football team were pretty much accurate. That being said, do you expect the football team to dramatically improve next year, or will it be 'much of the same.'
I'm expecting a big improvement, and for a variety of reasons. First, the schedule looks much easier. Second, there should be better depth on the offensive line. Third, experience and a better weight training program should pay dividends for the returning players.

I thought finalized plans had been approved and a renovated Pauley would open on Wooden's 100th birthday in 2010. Is the current fundraising project designed to support those renovation plans? Or is UCLA back at square 1 with no architectural plans at all?
UCLA is behind in the architectural plans department, and as I wrote in subsequent stories since UCLA announced it wanted to dedicate a renovated Pauley on coach Wooden's 100 th birthday, those plans are will behind schedule.

Will the football and basketball squads have Thanksgiving dinners as a team?
I don't know about hoops, but football will. They will be in Arizona getting ready to play the next day against Arizona State.

Is there any reason to believe the offensive line will be any better next year?
Yup. Experience, and players like Colorado transfer Kai Maiava and injured Sean Sheller should start, and that should help depth.

Would you rather: (a) answer another question why Craft remains the starting QB; or (b) chew a lightbulb?
What's the wattage of the light bulb?

Is Howland basically committed to UCLA for the rest of his career? Is there any scenario you can imagine that takes him away from UCLA within five years?
I think if the Lakers came calling, he would leave UCLA. Short of that, or a handful of other NBA jobs, I see him being at UCLA for a long time.

Assume: (a) Hamani Stevens stays with his commit to UCLA; (b) Sheller doesn't injure his knee on an ATV in the off-season; and (c) Donovan Edwards goes to UCLA instead of Cal. Would it have made a difference this year?
I don't assume anything. That is my first rule as a reporter. Also, I'm sure it makes a difference, and in a good way, but I'm not sure it means many more wins. Each player would still have no college experience at the Division I level.

I've noticed that Ben Olsen pretty much keeps to himself on the sidelines during games. Pat Cowan is always talking to the other players, and Craft, seemingly trying to help out. Is Ben shy? Aloof? Should he be more involved?
You cannot remake Olson's personality. He is not as outgoing with his teammates as Cowan. If Olson was a great quarterback, some morons in the media would be talking about how he leads by example, and what a great example that is for the younger players, because it teaches them to be even keel.