Q&A time

How are the freshman basketball players adjusting to life at UCLA?

Beer of choice?

Is UCLA planning a big Junior football day near before signing day. I know USC got a lot of kids very early last year and had them on campus for a day.

A year ago, you wrote that BYU and Utah don't belong in the Pac-10...do you still feel that way?

Any word on Damien Holmes? I would love to see him bulk up to around 280 and back-up at DT next year and start as a RS-SO.

ASU fizzle
Bruins maybe clicking?
Possible upset?

If it won't take up too much of your time, can you try to guess at the starters on Offense and Defense for next year. This will be over 50 words but I think a worthy topic.

Offense: QB-Kevin Craft, RB-Milton Knox, FB-Trevor Theriot, WR-Terrance Austin, WR-Taylor Embree, TE-Logan Paulsen (redshirt), Micah Kia, Jeff Baca, Kai Maiava, Nick Ekbaktani, & Darius Savage.

Defense: SDE-Datone Jones, WDE-Korey Bosworth, DT-Brian Price, DT-Jerzy Sweirski, MLB-Steve Sloan, WLB-Reggie Carter, SLB-Akeem Ayers, CB-Al Verner, CB-Aaron Hester, SS-Aaron Ware or Tony Dye, FS-Rahiim Moore.

Thoughts?

Cal basketball media guide listed Nican Robinson on their roster as formerly from UCLA. When did he ever was on our basketball roster? Was he a walk-on?

Whatever happened to Nick Crissman? Is he going to be in the running next year?

Do you think a one-loss Lakers team could leapfrog either the SEC or Big-12 champ and get into the BCS title game?

I think this takes top honors as toughest question ever: Can you explain Howland's general offensive strategy?

Any idea why the Notre Dame bb came is in the middle of Pac-10 season and not November or December? I thought Howland wanted to move away from those kind of games.

Do you think Neuheisel will "recruit" Walker to stay at UCLA even if Walker gets some offers?

If Walker leaves how might that affect the recruiting process for the players UCLA hopes to bring in next season?

If I write sonnet
Can I break 50 word max
Kindly answer yes

Do you have an editor or any other type of oversight for this blog?

Please explain how if for years now ,the BB team has struggled against the zone we do not develop a scout team
that plays zones to give our regulars some experience playing against that style?

How were the Rutgers games you planned to attend last weekend? Also, who is considered Rutgers' fiercest, most hated rival?

Whilst covering a game do you listen to either the radio or TV broadcast?

considering the lack of speed at DE, what has bear with me!! chinoso uwayanwu not got a sniff in specialty situations before his ailment?

Are there plans to have a new kick-off kick er next season? I know forbath is not consistent, but he has got to be able to kick it deeper than our walk-on.

If Neuheisel was granted one wish by the AD or the administration to make UCLA FB better, and they'd do whatever he asked, what do you think he'd wish for?

What are the rules governing access to players? For example, if you see a player eating lunch at Panda Express, can you talk to him?

I know this is a Bruin blog but you are the one person I can ask about soccer so...

What is your impression of the young players Bob Bradley played against Guatemala?

Does Addidas make newer basketball jerseys too? It seems like ours are old compared to the ones Syracuse, Georgetown, etc. wear. Also, is that fit better or worse looking to you?

If Howland had gotten guard Abdul Gaddy, do you think he would have still gone after Moser?

Don't you think DeWayne Walker would be better off sticking around 1-2 years until the program as a whole turns around and we go to a bowl game before taking a head coaching position? It seems to me he could get a better head coaching job by waiting.

Do you feel that Brehaut and Prince will be given every opportunity to win the starting job in 2009, or is this more of a ploy to bring out the best in Craft, who has had no real competition for the job this season?

Aboya vs Southern Illinois: abberation or the new normal?

How is Kevin Craft handling all the "negative press" about him lately? Do you think he gets blamed too much for all the offenses problems?

could you please put how much ucla coach's get paid vs usc coach's.

the way i see it for next year, crissman and prince will fight for the starting position with kc the 3rd string backup regardless of the victor. i envision forcier being moved to WR (or some other "speed" position) with brehaut learning the position for a real shot at the starting position in 2010 as his mind and body matures.

thoughts?

Tom Craft opens mouth
Kevin Craft deflects criticism from meddlesome papa
RN and Norm proud of maturing boy?

Aboya vs Southern Illinois: abberation or the new normal?

What was Luc Richard Mbah a Moute reason for leaving to the NBA early? Was it some sort of economic hardship similar to the article you wrote about Aboya or did he just feel he was ready for the NBA?

What are the chances of former UCLA football coach Karl Dorrell getting a head coaching gig for next season (i.e. San Diego State since he is from the area and I'm certain they have lower academic requirements than UCLA).

People talk about how Westbrook should have guarded Rose last year, with Luc on CDR. But then who was Collison going to guard? Their power forward? Or is the idea that we wouldn't have played Collison much, with Westbrook, Shipp and Luc at the 1-2-3 (and no subs)?

Collison's ballhandling looks really suspect this year. He handed the ball right to Michigan in the most important possession, and generally just looks like he has trouble keeping his dribble under control. Are you seeing the same thing?

Everyone seems to say Michael Roll is a bad defender, but I actually think he's pretty good, especially at keeping his man in front of him. I feel like people just assume he must be too slow because he's white. Thoughts?

Until last year (in regards to Love not touching the ball enough) I had never heard of the concept of players "not being good post entry passers," and I watch plenty hoops. Is it really that tough? Or is it just Howland's offense making it tough?

If you had taken Beasley or Durant and put them on UCLA's team, would they have put up such huge numbers? Conversely, if Love had been on K-State, would he have put up bigger numbers than he did? Point being, is it the player or the system?

Can you please describe the "motion offense" in basketball? This seems like sort of a vague term. What does a team like, say, UNC run?

Do you ever leave comments to this blog anonymously, say when you really want to get something off your chest and would prefer to leave journalistic decorum aside? For example, leaving an anonymous comment like "None of you idiots know what you're talking about."

Speaking of Roll, is he overrated as a shooter?

Neuheisel's public reaction to Tom Craft's comments were very benign. Is UCLA's staff privately upset about what papa Craft said?

Oh, how you tease us with your answers! Care to elaborate on why you think UCLA's approach to athletics is (at times) "arrogant?"

Can our incoming hoops recruits make two-foot shots around the basket? Because a lot of our current players can't finish, especially the bigs.

Do you think any of our current hoops recruits will be selected for the McDonald's game?

Does Howland wish he got the Wears, or is he happier with the guys he got?

A player like Josh Smith isn't going to care one way or another that we brought in a few big men in the last two recruiting classes, right?

If Howland gets an early commitment from a player, and the player subsequently doesn't develop as hoped, will he politely ask the player to look elsewhere or honor the offer?

Would you call Howland the best coach in the NCAA who hasn't won a title?

Do you know if Neuheisel watches UCLA basketball, or is a fan of it?

Which is more likely to happen: (a) UCLA beating USC in football this year; or (b) Obama saying "Just kidding. I'm really not qualified to be president after all. You should have voted for that McCain guy."

haiku is fun but
not done appropriately
loses its fizzle

Is it an NCAA violation for athletes to test positive for marijuana or is it a school policy? I see plenty of high profile athletes from multiple sports getting high day in and day out, and was wondering about the testing and punishment (especially in light of the semi-recent suspensions on football), and whether it was an internal or NCAA rule.

Is the San Diego State job considered a good Head Coaching job? I've lived in SD for 12 years and the interest/support for the program is pretty poor.

Would you say Dean had a change of heart re: not transferring? If so, what do you think contributed to the change? If not, was transferring ever a serious consideration?

Besides spring football, what do you cover between the end of UCLA's BB tournament run to the beginning of football camp?

If UCLA makes it to the final four this year, Collison will play in it 4 straight years. Has any other basketball player played in 4 consecutive final 4s?

(Hoops) Could and would UCLA withdraw their scholarship offer from Kendall Williams (2010 class) if he does not improve?

I keep hearing that CRN needs to change the culture of Bruin football, but also that Coach Dorrell was successful in changing the culture. Can you explain this apparent contradiction?

1) Thinking about that article about Joseph and others not redshirting during Dorrell's time, which players do the current staff wish they had redshirted this year?

2) Even though Forcier had 2 good weeks, will the coaching staff have a shorter leash on Craft or will he just get thrown back in after his 4th INT again?

3) Which is more likely: 73 wins for the Lakers (NBA record) or a UCLA victory over USC?

Coach Neuheisel has promoted "relentless optimism" as the team's theme with the media. During games though he seems to be yelling at Kevin Craft at every opportunity. How do you think the coach reconciles his sideline behavior with his relentless optimism mantra?

Do you think the actions of some in the Notre Dame home crowd (throwing snowballs at ND players)has had an negative effect on some of ND's recruits (ie. pollard, wood)?

In your opinion, what does CRN and the staff see as the biggest weakness of "character"/"mentality" of the players on the roster (taken as a whole) and what have they been doing about it?

Interesting that Forcier has had a full year and a spring training to become a D1 qb. Coaching staff says he does not put in the effort to warrant PT. In your opinion was he a recruiting mistake by Dorrell?

Have you hear if any Norte Dame recruits are now reconsidering.

Any opinion on Anthony Stover. I know they need a big body, but 210 pounds sounds pretty light.

In order, what do you think are the main priorities the AD uses when planning the out of conference football schedule from year to year? Any chance that they will look for new and different home and home partners like Kentucky, North Carolina, LSU or Rutgers?

What is Dan Guerrero's position on easing the academic requirements for the football team? Is he in favor of it? Or does he understand that this is the way it has always been and will continue to be?

Happy Thanksgiving, Brian!

Holiday learning
Collison turns it over
Aboya the star??

Did you see this opinion piece in the NYT about Rutgers football?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/24/opinion/24mon4.html?scp=1&sq=rutgers&st=cse

They called Rutgers a "mess."

Will T. Bone Dohn ride to the rescue and finance the new FB stadium singlehandedly?

(33 words)

Happy Thanksgiving
Brian your blog is the best
Eat lotsa turkey!

Has the FR class lived up to expectations of being THE #1 class in America?

Have any of the FR lived up to expectations?

What do you think is holding them back, if not?

(34 words)

Who's a better player for the Bruins, Mike Roll or Josh Shipp? Some on the internets say Roll...do you see any logic in that?

Do you think James Keefe will be a legit contributor this year for UCLA in big games or will he be a liability?

(47 words)

You wrote last week that a better weight training program will make Ucla better next year.

But isn't Mike Linn the guy who set up the weight program LAST year? Why should we assume he'll get better overnight?

What holiday song annoys you the most? (I hate most versions of the "12 Days" except for the Bob & Doug McKenzie version). Thank you Brian for all of your hard work and hope you got to spend a nice holiday with your family before traveling.

you maintain that Linn was hired in the spring, but since when is January 22 the spring?

http://uclabruins.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012208aaa.html

Are you giving Linn a pass on his performance based on misinformation?

Tracy Pierson of Bruin Report Online claims that *Mike Riley* was Dan Geurrero's first choice for HC in Dec. 2002.

Has Geurrero gone on the record with that? Or is Pierson just making stuff up?

You're Manny Pacquiao's manager. Which Pac 10 basketball coach do you hire as his trainer for the upcoming fight with De La Hoya? Which UCLA basketball and football player do you put in the ring as his sparring partner?

Any thoughts on Drew Gordon? Physically, I think he's got a solid body for the game. That block in the Southern Illinois game was great. Do you think we're going to see more of that kind of energy from Gordon?

RE: Tracy Pierson
That chick is bitter

Has Howland ever considered scheduling a closed door scrimmage with another school like Pitt instead of an exhibition game?

how was practice this week? that of a team ready to win or was it sub-par?

Was Dorrell the most boring and cliche filled coach you've covered?

how would you assess the development of darius savage this year? before the season, neuheisal predicted savage has an "NFL future." are the coaches still that high on him?

What is the difference between a redshirt and a greyshirt year?

what is the difference between the new offense philosophy
under Rick Neuheisal and Norm Chow, than it was under the previous regime?

Will Harwell get drafted? If so, what part of the draft? How has Korey Bosworth played compared to the coaches expectations?

Is it true you're running a behind-the-scenes campaign to get a Chick-Fil-A put into Ackerman?

If Rutgers and UCLA play, do you have to recuse yourself from covering the game?

I see UCLA's inside game deriving from Collison and Holiday driving, then dishing off to a big. Do you see it that way and more importantly does Howland see it that way?

The LA Times said Glicksberg struggles with appetite due to a liver disease and therefore has trouble gaining weight. Do you think he took to smoking dope in order to get the munchies?

Is there any chance we see more of Holiday at the point with Collison at the 2? Does Holiday have better court vision as a natural point?

Which recruits has UCLA offered for the 2010 class (football) other than Paul Richardson?

How many scholies will the staff give out this year?

What do you see to be the key positions for this football recruiting class? Do you think the staff is doing a good job recruiting players for these positions?

Chow said Forcier is doing better in practice. How do you think he looked this week? Will this translate to more plays on the field?

i saw in your blog that nikola dragovic missed a practice because of a sore knee ... did he get it kicking his girl friend?

Of all the teams you've covered (college and pro), what was the most memorable season and why?

If I was to take a cross-country road trip with Howland, what is the most surprising thing I would learn about him by the time we got to Maine?

Brian, as a man of letters can you explain why it is so ridiculous--and redundant!--to say or write "Bruin Bear?"

If UCLA students really cared about protecting the Bruin on campus, don't you think they would find a way to guard it rather than just covering it??

Have been hearing these excuses for Howland's inept offense. Are these true?
1. Won't feed the ball into low post because Howland is afraid of turnovers.
2. Likes to have Collison milk the clock until less than 10 second to go to also limit turnovers.
3. Won't practice against zone defense because Howland is afraid players will be corrupted by it.

My responses:
1. Since when is entry pass to the post rocket science?
2. Is this the real reason that UCLA often goes on long dry spells where it can't hit a field goal in 5-10 minutes?
3. You have to be kidding me.

will Brandon Bennett ever play?