Answers, Part XIII

Do you think Teen Wolf is one of the great yet underrated basketball movies of all time?
Very under-rated, especially the way the dude who was in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure set screens on the opposition. Hard screens Howland would be proud of.

which player on both the football and basketball teams do you believe will make the best pro player and why?
Basketball it is Jrue Holiday because he has great talent and works very hard. As far as football, Brian Price is pretty good, to me. I think he could be a dominant defensive tackle.

What does "off the record" mean to you? What does "deep background" mean to you?
It has different meanings depending on who I am discussing things with, and I always talk to my sources about each thing before using it.

If Howland coached his teams in playing zone defenses, do you think UCLA would be better at attacking zones offensively?
I think they would, but right now UCLA is doing fine against the zone. It is making outside shots, which is the biggest thing, but also getting some penetration and passing off it.

Because of how closely you cover the recruiting trail, do you pretty much know all the freshmen personally even before they arrive on campus?
I do not, but when I see them, I often relate times we spoke on the phone or met on campus or at a game, so they can remember me. But I do know some of them, which is a great help.

Do basketball players receive individual or small-group coaching during the offseason? If so, does/can the head coach provide it? Also if so, can incoming freshman participate?
Yes, they can practice two hours a week with a coach present during the offseason, providing it is during the spring or fall quarters. In the summer, there is no instruction allowed. And the freshmen do take part in the sessions during the fall.

What do you think Gordon has to do or prove before Howland trusts him in crunch time, like if Aboya fouls out again?
Play better defense and more in control. Gordon can rebound, but there are other aspects missing from his game. Also, I think matchups will dictate it. Oregon didn't have a lot of size, so UCLA was able to go with James Keefe playing center at the end.

before posting a question, I read all of the questions by other posters so I don't ask the same question as someone else. DO you think encouraging people to do this will stop from having 10 people ask the same question?
Yes, yes, and yes. Please, everyone should do that. Also, thank you very much for doing it.

Admit it: You love to see us faithful chat participants squirm during close basketball games!
I find it humorous, but only because I feel your pain. You should have seen me at the Papajohns.com bowl.

The hoops commits have gotten to play a good number of games in their senior seasons (except maybe Nelson) - is Howland happy with what he's seeing? Lane is supposedly impressing.
I don't know because I haven't talked to him about it.