Answers, Part VI

What aspect of the DePaul win had you move the team up from the midteens to the Top 10 in your poll?
UCLA's ability to get up and down the court and get easy baskets, coupled with the losses of a few teams I had ranked ahead of UCLA.

What did you think of AZ's win over the Zags?
I was surprised, but I think it does not suggest Arizona will be any good.

You've mentioned that you thought 1 year ago UCLA should have gone with Walker as HC. However, given what you've seen from Coach Rick this season, do you think he can improve UCLA in the way the fans want?
I think it remains to be seen. He is doing ok in recruiting, but it will take a few more very good recruiting classes to get UCLA turned around. It is too early to tell. You are asking me to judge Neuheisel off a 4-8 season in which there was very little talent on the floor.

Who is VB, do you actually know him, and why does he think he is second in command of this blog?
Yes, I know him, and members of his family. He's a very good guy who has invited me to tailgates, then treated me wonderfully at them. And I don't think he believes he is second in command. ...I think he believes he runs the blog.

Imagine that Zidane scores that header against Italy in OT; France wins, and he doesn't get tossed. With 2 World Cups and a Euro on his resume, would he stand shoulder to shoulder with Pele as greatest of all time?
He would not stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Pele, but his reputation would not be tarnished and he would be widely recognized by so many other people as one of the top two or three players or all-time. The dude retired and still had mad game.

Will you concede that some (most?) journalists thrive on nonsense like Plaxico, TO/Romo, etc. because it gives them something to write about the 6 days a week that aren't game day?
No, I think journalists thrive on it because it creates more interest than the mundane stories. It gets ordinary folks talking about sports.

What is Dohn's dream car?
Anything that doesn't have any payments left on it.

I know you mentioned that Reggie Carter is going to test his Draft status.., heard of any others? Also until when do they have to declare their eligibility for the draft?
I didn't mention he was going to test his draft status. I mentioned he was going to get his draft status evaluated. Big, big difference. And I have not heard of any other UCLA underclassman doing so.

Should England have used Robbie Fowler over a declining Alan Shearer in the mid to late 1990s?
I don't know, but given it's Robbie Fowler, I would say, yes, indeed.

If Guerrero asked nicely, do you think Roman Abramovich would cough up enough to pay for the Pauley renovation?
With how much money Abramovich has, all it would take was a cough or two for him to come up with the $175 million needed for the renovation. Isn't that traveling money for 'ol Roman?