Q&A time

Can you explain Howland's substitution patterns?

Are you still taking the Tar Heels over the field?

Do you think Collison is helping his draft position this year? Or will he need to do it in the tournament?

Does Howland starting Dragovic signify that he has become more committed to the offensive end? The team is generally trending up in points scored each year, though it seems like our defense has gone the opposite direction since the first FF run.

If it is true that Jrue Holiday stays at UCLA a second year, will there be enough scholorships available for the 09-10 incoming freshmen class? If not, how will this be resolved - any specifics/inside scoop??? Thanks.

In your opinion, do post players develop their offensive games under Howland? Offensive, not defensive.

Do we suck at getting loose balls in hoops? I feel like I want to throw my remote at the TV more than I might if I were a fan of another school.

With Mike Montgomery at the helm, do you see Cal emerging as UCLA's top competitor in the Pac-10 in the near-distant future?

Did Michael Philipp get accepted into Stanford and if so, does that pretty much mean he will commit there?

When you and Jill Painter went on your first date at Chick-Fil-A, do you remember what you ordered?

Maybe in the offseason is there any chance of you doing an interview with Guerrero using questions submitted by blog readers?

Between the Pac 10 regular season championship and the Pac 10 tournament, does Howland value one more than the other?

Come tourney time, TV pundits like to say Pac 10 teams have an advantage because their conference schedule is typically Thursday-Saturday so they are used to the 2-day turnaround. Do you think this provides any real advantage?

Brian, thanks as always for running the QA session.

1. Have off-season workouts started for the FB players and if so, who has been held out while recovering from injury?

2. Are there any players contemplating a transfer at this time?

3. If Bullough is not named the new DC, do you expect Neuheisel to ask the new DC to retain most of the current defensive coaching staff?

4. Do you believe the offensive line will be dramatically improved this coming 2009 season and if so, why?

5. Outside of Hasiak, are the coaches generally pleased with how recruiting has gone thus far leading up to Signing Day next month?

If a recruit walks into a forest and makes a verbal commitment, but no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Hypothetically Brian, what would you do if people stopped asking hypothetical questions?

Is Stan Hasiak going to live in a tree up at Cal? Is that the "ace in the hole" UCLA couldn't come through on?

How damaging is the Hasiak loss to UCLA directly and indirectly (i.e. perceptually to other recruits, etc.)?

What's your take on Rafa's tirade against Ferguson? Did he pull a Keegan?

Brian, is Nikola Dragovic starting over James Keefe because he is a better offensive threat? If so, doesn't that go against Howland's defensive mentality.

When Kendall Williams committed, he said something about being the first PG in the new Pauley Pavillion. Do you think Howland still uses the alleged renovation of Pauley as a recruiting tool?

Brian, I take you you have seen all the pac 10 universities campuses, which one would say you has the best? Or which ones at least stand out to you?

Why doesn't UCLA try to make men's basketball more fan friendly, and create more buzz?

Why doesn't UCLA try get more fans to go to all games?

Should UCLA try to get younger fans to go to men's basketball?

I think going to the games is a big bore, why don't they try creat some excitement?

How much what SC does influence what UCLA does and vice versa when it comes to recruiting?

Is there really animosity between the tow staffs at SC & UCLA

Is there still an outside chance Coach Rick shocks everyone with an out of the box D Coordinator hire?

UCLA's crowd at Pauley has developed a reputation for their absence and lack of enthusiasm. Is the root of the problem in season ticket policies, aging alumni, or something else? Is there some way to get tickets in the hands of people who are willing to pay, show up, and cheer?

Brian, do you think Nikki Caldwell is using the UCLA job as a stepping stone to get to universities where womens ball is beloved (THE SEC/ACC), or does she want to build a legacy here at UCLA?

Brian,
should the Pac-10 pursue some kind of conference expansion? why or why not? and if yes, then what schools make sense?

Now that we lost Hasiak does the staff think it made a mistake not accepting Siddoway's attempt to commit to us before committing to Cal?

Brian,

Will UCLA continue to recruit Hasiak? How big a blow is this to the rebuilding effort?

With one high school offensive line commit to date, a position of need, is the staff pursuing players that are not known publicly? Is there a backup plan here?

Do you think Branden Warner (JC DT) will qualify? Are we looking good with any other DT prospects?

Have you ever, in your six plus years covering UCLA, sat in on a class?

UCLA's list of famous (and deep-pocketed) alumni is incredible. Not just in sports but in all walks of life. So how is it that it takes so long to raise funds for a new basketball arena? Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson threw 1 million towards Miami's new weightroom!

Is the ravens continued success in the NFL playoffs delaying our efforts in naming a DC?

Do you know of any DC candidates who officially interviewed for the position so far?

1. Not who you think it'll be: who would YOU prefer for DC coordinator?

2. Is Nigel Burton a serious candidate to succeed DW?

What are the chances Kevin Craft starts next year?

Why is Neuheisel taking time to hire his DC if Bullough is his first choice? Do you think Coach Bullough will be able to recruit as well as Walker?

Legalsean

Who do you think will be our starting Offensive Line next year, including the current verbally committed recruits?

Who do you think will be in the 2nd string Offensive Line?

Brian, how do you see the match up with ASU this Saturday? Who guards James Harden? Was he ever seriously recruited by the Bruins? What happened?

Ok. You've now been back from vacation two weeks and presumably you talk to recruits every day, or almost every day. What can you say about the bona fides of Ken Norton Jr.'s recruiting story?

In light of Hasaik's decommitment, do you think the football staff is kicking itself for not going after Charles Siddoway. Same question for Kevin Danser (Stanford commit).

there's a lot of internet speculation that the real reason for Hasaik's decommitment was academics. What can you tell us about that?

How is UCLA doing with Phillip?

Brian,

In a past Q&A session someone asked you to compare the game day experience at the Rose Bowl to other venues. In your opinion what changes need to be made at the Rose Bowl to make the game day experience more enjoyable? Thanks in advance.

How do you explain UCLA losing three good OL recuits (Hasaik, Siddoway, Edwards) to Cal within the last year? Is there something not apparent going on behind the scenes?

How crazy will signing day be? If UCLA has 25 scholarships to give, how many guys will be locked in for sure and how many will UCLA be holding its breath on? Is there a second tier that UCLA offers to if not all the scholarships are claimed?

Why does Howland carry so many walk-on players? Once you have to seat "players" in the stands, isn't that a sign you have too many?

So is the Ace still in the hole or was it already unloaded?

I know the staff cannot talk about individual recruits, but do you think they feel that getting Phillip is now "do or die" for the future of the program?

Ok, so what was the "ace in the hole" re Hasaik and did UCLA play it?

When do you anticipate that the current silent commit will become public? Please feel free to feed the beast by adding any other information about the commit.

what was the "stupid" shirt that Hasiak was wearing while he was visiting UCLA that made the anonymous poster not like him?

In your AP Poll you have UCLA ranked 5. Is that because you actually think UCLA is the 5th best team in the country, or because that is the logical place for them based on where they were previously ranked and who else won or lost.

With Abele apparently coming in as a DE, does the coaching staff still think he will likely wind up on the offensive line?

Is maka's commitment to UCLA solid. his quotes make it seem like UCLA is his school, for now at least.

Does Bobo Morgan realize how bad and useless he is at basketball? Or is someone going to have to break the news to him? Who on the UCLA staff would be the best to break the news?

Do know what the strategy is for pairing recruits on their official visits with their particular hosts? It looks random to me sometimes.

Manti Te'o here?
What about Devon Kennard?
Do we get lucky?

Are you aware of any new silent commit now that the two prior ones have gone public?

How is J'Mison Morgan's attitude? Does he understand why he's not playing? Is he unhappy with the situation or angry?

What's more important: Hasiak de-committing or UCLA getting the four guys last weekend to committ?

Is the coaching staff optimistic that some commitments will come from this weekends recruiting visits?

Have they considered expanding the student section to add to the Pauley experience?

Are you concerned that some of your loyal readers may have commited suicide since the tragic Hasiak news was announced?

Can you assess where UCLA is regarding offensive line recruiting. With Nik Abele entering as a DE and Stan Hasiak's change of heart that leaves UCLA with two OL recruits (Greg Capella and Ryan Taylor).

How confident are you that they will add to this number? Translation: Should we expect other commits?

Will the coaching staff have to take some O-linemen they originally didn't see as being fully worthy of a UCLA offer or will they just accept a small O-line class and look towards next year?

Brian,
Do the players (and more importantly you) enjoy the "10 questions" format or do they (you) find that too many questions are nonsensical or follow sport cliche questions, i.e. pre-game rituals?

Would sexual favors from hot alumni help with the recruiting?

Or would that be an NCAA violation?

Do you see any of the incoming CB recruits being moved to Safety? They all seem to have decent size:
Mascarenas=5'11, Price=6'2", Sermons=6'1", Pollard=6'

Do you know if Rick Neuheisal has spoken to DeWayne Walker since he took the HC gig at NM St.? If so, did Walker give Bullough an endorsement to become the next UCLA DC?

Randall likes visit
Still three weeks til signing day
Which school will he choose

Seems like every high school kid coming into college thinks he's pro material. Is this true in your experience? Since you talk to their families, do their parents see things similarly or are they more realistic?

I'm curious about Nik Crissman because he's often left out of quarterback discussions. Will he be ready for spring practice? What's your general assessment of him?

Xavier Sua-Filo , is now our number recruiting priority, does he become a Bruin ?

What kind of beer did Howland have when you two went for drinks? How about yourself budlight kind of guy, wine and cheese, apple martini, Belgium beer...? Mmmm Belgium beer.

Do you think Chris Forcier would be better off transferring into a situation that better suited his talents?

did LRM absolutely get a guarantee from an nba team? if not, why would he take such a gamble?

What future teams are on ucla basketball's future scheduling list because i heard they are in talks with Kansas?

Whats the deal with Cliff Harris? Why haven't we offered him?

Which football targets are the coaching staff looking at for 2010?

How does Christian Ramirez fit into the discussion for playing time?

Any new information from Coach Rick regarding throwbacks for '09

all this angst about hasiak switching to cal is laughable. who can blame him? brian, you seem to be a relatively bright fellow, where would you rather go, cal or ucla?

brian,
this might be a little insensitive but i've always been curious - do you think the lack of diversity at ucla hurts when it comes to recruiting?

Just have to comment on the question from the above poster...what are you talking about? Diversity is more than just African Americans. During my college days, I heard a foreign language spoken every day on campus for four years. If that's not diversity, then I don't know what is!

we got a group of 3 and 2 star football commits, is this sorta the typical level of recruit we're still going to get? wont CRN and chow be getting a bunch of high profile 5 star type recruits? should we stop dreaming, or will they start coming?

Randall Carroll is taking visits, do you think that UCLA can get Randall Carroll, if not where will he end up?

Brian, can u tell us why our band sucks so bad? i believe they do a bad job when it comes to keeping us excited about our football games. i mean they do a bad job keeping the crown excited about our team.

Shouldn't you write "50 words or fewer?" (Come on, BD--you knew that!)

Is UCLA going to step up its recruitment of Chris Hubbard now that it appears Hasiak is out of the picture?

Any word on Ben Olsen as he prepare for the draft?

If Bobo makes a good basketball play but it so late in the game that nobody notices...does it count?

Dohn: How full is your passion bucket?

Am I missing something? What the heck is the big deal with Rutgers? Seems about as relevant as UC Santa Barbara.

Are we looking at a Pennsylvania derby for the Super Bowl?

Doesn't Morgan need to worry about being a good college player before he worries about making the NBA?

Do you have aspirations to work for a larger publication or one with more exposure, like the LA Times or USA Today, or a monthly periodical like Sports Illustrated, or is the Daily News your ultimate destination?

In your opinion will UCLA win the pac-10 before Chow leaves the program?

Is one of the main reasons Chuck Bullough is a leading candidate for DC the added cost it would take to bring in a bigger name with more experience?

I don't give a hoot nor holler about what the supposed "ace in the hole" is or ever was. But do you regret even mentioning now?

With the current economic climate do you expect the Pauley renovation to be completely put on hold much like the University of Illinois had to do with its Assembly Hall plans? Do you think the administration would go forward with a much scaled down plan rather than cancel the project?

With the current economic climate do you expect the Pauley renovation to be completely put on hold? Do you think the administration would go forward with a much scaled down plan rather than cancel the project?

Why is everyone panicking over Hasiak? Don’t they understand that “silent verbals” are all the rage? It’s obvious that Stan gave ol’ Tedford a verbal verbal (so passé) but remained committed to Neuhesial with a wink and nod. That’s what happened, right? Everything’s going to be OK, right?

Are you relenlessly positive aout CRN's chances to turn this sucker around?

Personally (As personally as a plant can be) I am beginning to have my doubts.

Did you happen to get the license plate of that darn Subaru?

If Hasiak doesn't commit, who do you project to be the front 6 on the OL?

Why are the Celtics choking this month? Would you take the Cavs over them?

im sorry for asking this, but tons of people would want to know...what are your top 3 picks, in order, for defensive coordinator, from people within the realm of possibility?

Play the sage, what are the chances that UCLA will get one of the big 3 Stan, Sua'Fila or Philipp?

Any plans for offering a late Oline kid like Finkenburg?

What position does the newest silent commit (that you mentioned in Sunday's chat) play?

Is the blockbuster DC candidate a former NFL or NCAA HC? Is he still being actively pursued?

Brian, I know you like the Southern California region and you enjoy covering UCLA. However, if Mr. Wolf decides to stop covering USC and the blog and your superiors ask that you cover them, will you?

Is this a historic buying opportunity in the stock market?

Do you know who the candidates are for the CB coaching vacancy? I just wanted to thank you for answering these questions.

Sean

In watching the hoops team, it seems we are soft offensively in middle, granted that Jrue, Darren and Josh are perimeter men but not true slashers like Westbrook. Do you see Aboya, Keefe, Gordon or anyone else being strong enough offensively to land UCLA in another final four?

We don't seem to recruit olinemen very well with only 2 commits last year and only one commit 2 years ago. Why?

In your Hasiak article you quoted him as saying about SC, "they said things about other schools, and I don't like that". Did he expand on that? Also, do you think it was in bad taste for SC to bring out Norton-gate if they're out there bashing other schools?

Moving aside from FB & BB for a moment, any chance we could get a brief baseball preview at some point?Expectations, players to watch, etc - even if it's a release from the athletic dept?

If Presley and Sanders are coming in as tight ends, do you anticipate one of them red-shirting. Will both stay at that position?

BG,
I am missing something in my brain when it comes to spelling that school's name correctly. There is a mental block that doesn't allow me to do it. Thanks for the heads up. It was fixed.

Since Stan Hasiak is now a Cal Bear do you think that UCLA will go after another oline body or just try to land a current target?

Judging how the last set of official visits and silent commits went is it safe to say that Stanjarivus McKay is the other silent commit after looking at this weekends visit list?

Do football players get into the basketball games if they want to? How about football recruits on visits? Will any of the visitors this weekend be going to either game?

OT, but what do you think about Pittsburgh v. Baltimore on Sunday? I'm predicting a gladatorial contest rarely seen in professional sports any more. Two physical teams that don't like each other.

Are you worried about having to spend another year writing about the offensive line?

Brian, a couple of blog related questions (answer any or all):

Have specific comments or the volume of comments on a specific issue posted on your blog ever lead to any story ideas that made it into the paper?

From a journalistic perspective how do your blog posts differ from your published newspaper articles?

Are your blog posts ever reviewed by editors, proofreaders or others before they are posted?

Is your blog reporting a labor of love or an expectation of your bosses?

Last year Kevin Love said he spoke frequently with Coach Wooden. Do you know if any Coach Howland or any current players speak regularly with Wooden?

If you also eliminated all "stupid questions" from people who sit in front of their computer for hours thinking of a question it would be better

I'm counting 66 scholarship players returning/already enrolled (i.e. Taylor, but not Theroit) for next year, 18 verbals from freshman, and 3 tentative JC commitments. Even without the JC commits, we are at 84 scholarships. Is my count correct?

I was off on my own scholarship count. We have 17 verbals from Freshman not 18 (forgot to take Hasiak off and I realize that Pressley already enrolled). But otherwise, am I correct in my count?

Do you know what type of defense UCLA ran under DW???? Do you think UCLA would be better suited to run a 3-4 defense, being that is easier to recruit LB than DT???

Something may have happened on the other board just now that got me to thinking...
What is your policy regarding reporting on something that you don't have firsthand knowledge of? Obviously you can't be everywhere at once. How do you report on something you didn't see? What standards do you apply on secondhand information?

1) Vic the Brick stated that Mia Hamm is the greatest woman soccer player to ever the play the game. Agree?

2)QBs do not improve
VB walk-on team in Fall
Starting job to me?

3) Trojans lost Sanchez
UCLA gets better
UCLA champs?

4)Is the QB position Craft's to lose, or will the coaches start fresh in the spring with a brand new competition?

5)You mentioned which teams our football team has scheduled for non-conference matchups in the next couple of years, but do you hear any chatter about who else the school would like to schedule? Any other SEC teams? Florida? Rutgers?

Revised haiku:

QBs don't improve
VB walk-on team in Fall
Starting job to me?

Aulola Tonga reportedly lived on the same block and grew up with Roby Toma and Manti Teo. Is UCLA's recruitment of Tonga designed, at least in part, to increase the liklihood of landing Teo?

Your thoughts on Pete Carroll's performance at the Sanchez press conference?

Can you name 3 football players that are bigger, more ripped than Alfred Aboya?

How come Neuheisel isn't recruiting in Cameroon?

Steve

We pull off a recruiting miracle and get Manti Te'o. Does Hasiak recommit to UCLA?

Did you get a chance to see the Sanchez press conference where he announced for the NFL? Did you think that Pete Carroll's public displeasure was appropriate, and would either Howland or Neuheisal ever do something like that, even if they privately felt the player was making the wrong decision?

What's the deal with Bobo Morgan of all the freshmen he does not see the floor, is he that out of shape or is he just not getting it??? Do you see him transferring???

Would love to hear your thoughts on Pete Carroll's behavior at the Mark Sanchez interview?

So, Arizona has dedicated its whole season to winning at Pauley and this was the best effort the Cats could muster?

Are your ears still ringing from that national anthem at Pauley on Thursday? Ouch!

Is Dragovic a starter until further notice?

Besides having 3 fouls, is there anything else behind Holiday not starting the 2nd half vs Arizona?

Do you think Tim Floyd is ready to change his opinion on which team is he model program in the Pac 10?

Do you think this is the most balanced team of Howland's UCLA tenure?

I guess UCLA was the favorite anyway going into the Pac 10 schedule, but does its 4-0 start further solidify its position as frontrunner? Is Cal a real threat? Otherwise, I don't see anyone else to worry about.

After seeing Jordan Hill get just about anything he wanted, including several dunks, how in the world is UCLA supposed to stop Harangody in a few weeks?

Who kidnapped the actual UCLA team and replaced it with guys who can shoot?

If I'm a coach of one of UCLA's upcoming opponents, I scrap the zone, overplay the perimeter, and force UCLA to beat me in the paint. Do I have a winning strategy and will any Pac 10 coach be smart enough to use it?

What is a better nick name for Malcolm Lee: Malcolm in the Middle or General Lee?

What happened to John Wooden's great-grandson, Tyler Trapani? The last two home games, I saw him sitting in the stands with Coach Wooden. Is he no longer on the team?

Is it just me or does this team move the ball better and have an easier time scoring than previous Howland groups?

Are you going to spend the weekend crunching the numbers to see if teams in the Pac 10 are shooting better/worse from threeland since the line has moved. Against all logic, UCLA seems to have improved. . .

With 8 defensive starters and Sanchez gone, is 2009 someone else sneaks in and wins the Pac 10? Not proposing UCLA...but someone at least!

Do you think Roll can be as effective next year without Collison setting him up with good shots?

Next year's starting line up?

PG: Holiday
SG: Lee
SF: Roll
PF: Dragovic
C: Gordon

What was your motive behind the "Just a Thought" post? Were you fed up with us? Were you trying to bait us? Will you forgive us for being such homers?

Did coach Neuheisel throw a party when he found out Mark Sanchez is going pro?

Do you think that Pete Carroll's behavior at Sanchez's press conference caused any USC commits to reconsider? Have you heard anything like that going on?