Answers, part II

Here is the second set of answers:

Any legit chance UCLA will switch to Nike instead of adidas sometime down the line? If you ask the athletes in private, I’m sure the majority would rather be sponsored by Nike.
Yes, a very good chance. There is also a chance under armour will get involved

Celtics coach Doc Rivers recently said that Mbah a Moute came from a great program that taught good defense and expressed his surprise at how advanced Luc’s D was. Does our coaching staff clip make sure recruits hear that kind of praise from the pros? If so, how?
Yes, the coaching staff uses stuff like that in recruiting. They usually make copies of a story, or transcribe a sound bite, and send it to a recruit in a mailing.

Is Norm Chow enjoying himself enough to stick around longer than his current contract? Would he still take the right HC job? Thanks!
I think he would take the right head coaching job, but I don’t think he is counting on that. As far as staying around, I know he likes UCLA and being able to drive home and see his family every night. But how am I supposed to know what is going to happen in two years?

What does the winner of the Inside UCLA 2009 NCAA Tournament bracket contest win?
I don’t know. I’ll come up with something.

FB question: Did you notice any changes to the amount of practice time devoted to position/ skill development vs 11 on 11 work, from Dorrell’s staff to the current staff?
No, I did not. What I noticed was a much better tempo at practice, and the willingness of the coaching staff to continue to run a play until it was done right, rather than just gloss over it and move on.

Why do Jrue Holiday and Nikola where the arm sleeves during games? What’s the purpose of them?
Got me. Maybe it is style. I know Holiday had a slight elbow issue earlier this season, but nothing big.

Do the football coaches place any more time / emphasis on specific skill / position development during practices in the spring vs early fall (first two or three weeks of fall camp).
Nearly everything in spring has to do with development and technique, and fall is a few days of fundamentals until the pads go on, and then it is installation of the playbook. It is much different. The spring is for experiments.

Do you foresee us having as good a defensive team as we’ve had the past few years? How long does it take for a player to start getting our defensive scheme? Is it tougher to learn for big men than it is for guards?
I’m guessing you mean basketball. It takes time to understand what coach Ben Howland wants. I think UCLA will be fine defensively on the perimeter next season, but rebounding and low-post defense could be a problem. UCLA will have no center with much experience, and that is a problem. Drew Gordon’s development is huge.