January 2010 Archives

What is it like to play in a hostile environment on the road?
"It's what you live for. When you're out there playing and you're on the road - and the road victories are the most satisfying, that's what it's all about - to be able to go into a place and make those people who are just so incensed and unhappy at your success, and you make them sit down and you make them shut up and you make them cry in their beer, walk home with their tails between their legs. YES. That's just the absolute best. But then when they come and they win...oh, man. That just encourages them all the more."

Where were the toughest places to play?
"Here and Notre Dame - at least here they had girls at the school. Notre Dame, that was tough there too. The only place I only saw the scoreboard bounce was Mac Court at the collegiate level and Boston Garden at the professional level. We were just really hoping and praying that that scoreboard was going to stay up there. These fans up here are terrific. They know how to drive the train."

What does it mean for you to be here today?
"It means everything - I played my best basketball for the Portland Trailblazers. I've been part of some of the most special teams in the history of professional basketball. UCLA Bruins - those records still stand until this very day. The Portland Trailblazers, the youngest team to win the champiuonship. We would've won so many more had it not been for the unfortunate untimely injuries. When you're touched by something special, like I've been in my life - the remarkable people, with the honorable and just teammates, with the fantastic spirits and really soul of all the people involved - I've spent the rest of my life trying to chase that down. To be able to be here tonight, to be able to be in the game one more time, to see Larry Holliday, who was a hero to us all, to be back in Mac Court - they're going to tear this building down and it will only just be a memory - but it will be the whole gamut of memories. From joy to sorrow, from happiness to gloom, from exultation to absolute embarrassment. That's really what life's all about."

Jordan Zumwalt and Dietrich Riley are on unofficial visits to UCLA tonight...

(click on their names to see their profiles)

Did you ever see the Grateful Dead in Oregon?
"Saw the Grateful Dead play many times here in Eugene, it was fantastic. Autzen Stadium, Mac Court. Ken Kesey, Mountain Girl, Ken Babbs, the Merry Pranksters, all the guys. We've had a lot of fun here. We look forward to it again. I know that Further is coming to old Memorial Coliseum on March 8, and we're going to do whatever we can to get there. We're going to keep on dancing, and when they come back to Oregon and hear they're tearing Mac Court down, they're going to play Samson and Delilah, where they tear that old building down."

What was it like playing Mac Court?
"Mac Court was so fierce. It was just such a great place to play. As a ballplayer, that's what you live for. Winning at home is easy. You go out there and do it. But the true satisfaction in athletic competition is when you're playing on the road against a good team that has great rabid fan base, and you just come out there and take it to them. But when you get your hat handed to you, as we did in March of 1974, oh my god, it's the lowest feeling in the world. To see all those fans celebrating wildly at your expense. Ugh."

What is it like to be a hero in both Los Angeles and Oregon?"Theyre going to cheer for me because they beat us. They're sending the limo for me. They wouldn't have invited me if we won all our games here. I'm a lucky man. I'm a proud and privileged man. To be able to be here representing UCLA - they gave me my start. I was touched today with all the students we talked to, the tour we took, the new baseball stadium, the fantastic equipment around the football stadium, to see the new Knight Center, the academic center - it just makes you really happy that great things are happening. The future is just so bright. It's really what the American Dream is all about."

What are you doing now?I'm starting my life over one my time. I'm building a business career based in San Diego.

Do you still follow UCLA?"I'm a loyal and proud Bruin, and I'll always be a Bruin. I'm happy to be wearing my letterman's jacket today. This is the official one. I had a great time at UCLA, the time of my life. My wife went to UCLA. My older brother went to UCLA. They gave me my life. Johnny Wooden, all my teammates. We had a really good team. A really good team."

What was it like walking into Mac Court for the first time?We had heard about Mac Court. We knew how tough it was. The first year they weren't very good, but then Dick Harter came and they got a lot better. They were tough and they were fierce and they were just all pumped up. They gave us a little bit of the game the second time, buy the third time they beat us. It would be hard to conjure up a building, an atmosphere that could compare to Mac Court. It's like a movie. It's like a video game. To see the scoreboard bounce. To wonder if it's going to stay up there. To wonder if the fans are going to storm the court, to wonder if you're going to get out of there alive - it was all right there. I have such fond memories of this great town. I've been here many times as a Teriblaberz as a proud Oregon as a deadhead - autzen stadium mac rout, weve had some good times - but the one that rally stounds out is the loss. We had a good job and we didn't get the job done. They beat us. They beat us.

What are the fans in Oregon like?Pride is the greatest emotion. Loyalty, a remarkable human characteristic. Loyalty is the fulcrum block in John Wooden's Pyramid of Success. Right at the bottom. Where people can achieve extraordinary things because they care. People care about the state of Oregon, about this great university, they care about its great athletic teams. We will see tonight that extreme pride, that fantastic loyalty. The Blazer fans, they made me the player I was. I never could've got there without them. The Duck fans, they challenged us. They made us play at our best. We couldn't deliver that final time. They got the best of us. They're the true champions.

On Thursday, we all had a chance to chat with UCLA legend Bill Walton, and it essentially turned into Life 101. Throughout the day, I'll roll out his quotes. Pretty amazing stuff.

The sloppiness started early, early as in the opening tip, if one could even call it an opening tip.

It was more like a scrum, the UCLA and Oregon State men's basketball players falling to the ground, tipping over like soda cans in the wind, the ball grabbed simultaneously, a jump ball after a jump ball.

Five minutes into the teams' matchup at Gill Coliseum on Saturday night, and the clumsy squads combined for eight turnovers and just nine points.

But the Bruins got marginally less sloppy, went on a 22-7 run and ultimately fended off the harried Beavers, 62-52, to finish the first half of Pac-10 play at 5-4.

Facing a trap defense early, UCLA had trouble making the simplest of passes, the easiest of dribbles. Oregon State transitioned into 2-3 and 1-3-1 zone defenses, however, and it cost the Beavers - the Bruins had 16 turnovers in the first 24 minutes, but only four the rest of the way.

"The turnovers in the beginning were all unforced," said UCLA sophomore guard Malcolm Lee, who had nine points. "It was just careless. I don't think they were pressuring us like Oregon did; it was more on our part. How did we clean it up? We just took care of the ball more. Point blank, period. We knew that for the most part they weren't making us turn it over, we were just being careless.
"We just valued the ball more on offense."

These jerks at the Hilton Corvallis are kicking me out of my hotel room a little early, so I'll head to the court a little early today. Which means...

EARLY CHAT.

We'll get things started around 3-3:30 today, guys.

Thanks for reading, as usual,
Jon

St. Bonaventure center Giovanni Di Poalo - a long time USC soft verbal - is taking an official visit to UCLA this weekend. Di Poalo's name has only recently surfaced as a possible get for the Bruins, and as Scout.com's No. 4 center, he'd be a big pull.

Here's his profile: Di Poalo

Iolani High defensive tackle Sealii Epenesa - profile here - verbally committed to UCLA, he told the Honolulu Adviser on Friday.

Epenesa is the No. 67-rated defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com; here is the link to the article: Epenesa commits

Loyola running back/linebacker/??? Anthony Barr was away for the week but we had a chance to talk tonight, and, well, he's a great kid. Very focused, very driven, very certain that UCLA is his best chance to make it as a football player.

He is still unsure of his eventual position at UCLA (hence the ???) but I could see him being a superb safety or linebacker, if the Bruins put him on the defensive side of the ball. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, he has the frame to add plenty of weight and muscle and though he suffered a broken leg in his senior season, he expects to make an impact quickly.

Here is his Scout.com profile - Barr - and check out the interview after the jump.

1) One last Q for you Jon, SC put together in my opinion the best LB class in NCAA history last year.Muleuaga,Cushing,Matthewes,Maiva. you can only pick one.Who should get the praise for that Petey or Norton....Nice to see Norton be like a tree and leave. - Jed and Gold
I'm picking one, it's Maualuga. Who should get the praise? Norton. He had a lot of juice with that class. Lots and lots of juice.

2) Hey Jon, I was wondering with some guys leaving early, what you think the starting offense and defense would look like for next year? (and what commits you think can start) thanks - lasportsfan(noSC!!)
Prince, Franklin, Coleman, Rosario, Embree (Smith), Harkey (Fauria), Abele, Baca, Maiava, Williams, Harris. D: Jones, Carter, ????, Graham or Tepa, Ayers, Golper, Sloan or Westgate, Hester, Moore, Dye, Price.

3) Hi Jon, week or so ago you had a post entitled, "Price on front of ESPN draft", which, in the comments section, one or more readers pointed out that some/all of the info was from the ESPN website but that ESPN was not credited in the post. While I know most sports fans think this is trival imagine you and your editor(s) wouldn't think so if this were brought to your attention. - TrojanHorse
First off, I wouldn't care if my writing was posted anywhere else. But, reflecting on the situation, I was a bit overzealous when I posted the article. While I believe I gave it proper sourcing - I never claimed to write the article, and I thought it was pretty clear it was an ESPN piece - I now know to either make it abundantly clear if I'm not the author, or not post at all. I thought I was helping out the readers who don't have the insider subscription. Guess not.

4) So what is your bio? - Walt
I was born in New Jersey and moved to Newbury Park when I was 3. Raised in Thousand Oaks, read the LA Times and Ventura Country Star starting when I was 7. Idolized Jim Murray and Woody Woodburn. Watched every Lakers game between 1995 and 2002. Thought I would be the next Chick Hearn, then realized my voice wasn't very distinguished and figured I should try writing. Started writing junior year of high school, was promoted to sports editor as a senior while doing play-by-play for the boys basketball team and PA announcing softball, girls varsity and JV basketball, boys frosh-soph and JV basketball and boys volleyball. Played four years of football for the Lancers and still cry when I think of my last game, a crushing loss to Ventura in the quarterfinals. Touchdown as time expired to tie it, holding on center, I was playing guard. There was no hold. No. Hold. Recruited by Ventura College but chose to start my writing career. Went to SDSU, graduated in five years (luckily), after being sportswriter, assistant sports editor, sports editor, managing editor and editorial adviser of The Daily Aztec, one of the best college papers in the country. Worked for two years at the San Diego Union-Tribune, eventually covering San Diego State sports and USD football with Jim Harbaugh, still the most fun I've ever had covering a team. Worked for SI: On Campus, ESPN Radio, XX 1090 Radio and cohosted a radio show in college. Moved to Casper, Wyoming, for my first job out of college, six days after I graduated. Three months later, got a better job offer with the Las Vegas Review-Journal and jumped at the chance to work with Joe Hawk, Ed Graney, etc. After 11 months, couldn't stand being away from my friends and family, moved back to Thousand Oaks and started working for the Daily News. Now, I'm here. I love Friday Night Lights, Californication, Ben Harper, Bon Jovi, good steak and Hefeweizen. I think the Tupac-BIG rap war was fabricated. I think Oswald did not act alone. I am a Jeopardy and Law and Order fanatic. I only care about two teams, TOHS and the Denver Broncos, and only one of the two constantly depresses me. Thanks, Cutler, you idiot. Yes, I have a lot of friends who got married and several more who are getting married in 2010. I have a great family and the most beautiful niece in the world. Anything more?

1) Will there be any more commits before signing day, or will the remaining prospects wait until signing day to announce? - Andrew from Placentia.
There might be one more announcement before signing day, but I expect the rest on NLI day.

2) Any word on football players who will compete in track and field? especially, Randall Carroll in the sprints. But also Thigpen (hurdles/sprints), Rosario (jumps), Savage (throws) and anyone else? - anonymous
Last I heard, all were competing, plus Sheldon Price.

3) How do you think the basketball teams recent struggles will affect our ability to land McCallum or Zeigler? Would theses guys see an oppertunity to get immediate playing time or will they look to teams that are doing better this year? - Bruin 2005
I don't think it will affect them much. UCLA is UCLA, momentary setbacks and all. You go to UCLA not because of 2010 but because of 05-08, 1995, etc. etc.

4) Do you have any info on the julious moore decommiting rumors? - MaltbaaAs of now, he's still committed to UCLA.

5) I am a huge fan of Marquis Jackson, who I think is more well rounded than his twin Malik.Can you find any J.C. video from last year or provide thoughts on him? Thanks Jon - Jed and Gold
Here you go - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P67n7qCgOjc, but that's from HS. None from JC that I can find. I know he's a beast speed rusher, and UCLA needs that now.

1) Speaking of Josh Smith, what is the status of the football player Josh Smith? what are his chances of playing next year? - Lasportsfan(noSC!!)
Smith looked fantastic - FANTASTIC - on scout team this season, and will almost certainly compete for a starting spot.

2) Great job on the blog, Jon. My question is--do Bruins who have graduated ever come back to work with the current players on their games eg. Walton or Kareem working with the big men in BB? - Keith
Not really, no. Too busy. Walton is working on a new business venture in San Diego and Kareem, well, we know what he's going through.

3) With USC unable to participate this year, what will be the format of the Pac-10 basketball tournament? - Anonymous
A formal plan has not been announced, but I assume a play-in game for the eighth spot.

4) What's the plan for Sean Sheller next year? Still on the team? If so, still at DT? Or back to OL? - Palcic's Doghouse
Back to O-line along with Connor Bradford.

5) Do you think CBH's stubborness of sticking with man on man defense helps him land recruits with an eye on the NBA? Do you think his use of the man on man defense helps his players make it/succeed in the NBA? - UCLABZ
Yes to both.

Here's my story on the UCLA loss to Oregon on Thursday night...

My former colleague turned bitter, hated rival* Ramona Shelburne absolutely smashed this feature on Rick Neuheisel today. Some incredible tidbits about Neuheisel's college life, his change in philosophies and his attempt to grasp control of the LA football scene.

Here's the link: CRN Feature

*For those who don't understand sarcasm, Ramona is one of my best friends and is tearing it up at ESPNLA. We miss her at the Daily News.

This late in the recruiting process, I'm frankly stunned when any major recruit answers a phone call, much less gives me 15 minutes. But Owamagbe Odighizuwa - profile here - is not your typical prospect. While he is weary of the process and eagerly awaits making his decision, he has been remarkably candid and is quite honest when he says he does not know where he'll sign.

Here's my interview after the jump...

1) What do you think the depth chart on offense will look like come spring? - AnonymousPrince (Brehaut), Franklin (Jones), Coleman, Rosario (Carroll), Embree (Smith), Harkey (Fauria), Abele (Baca), Baca (Taylor), Maiava (Taylor), Williams (Kia), Harris (Capella).

2) So when are you going to post your bio? - AnonymousWhat do you want to know?

3) while it has much to do with how good they perform next year, do you see rahim moore or ayers bolting to the nfl after their jr. years? - Anonymous
No, both have a lot to learn about patience and gap assignment. For as good as they are, both are extremely raw. In other words...watch out.

4) Do you think coach Caldwell can put the Lady Bruins at the top of the PAC10?Do you agree she was a great hire? - BRUINBEATCH
I think Caldwell was a fantastic hire - anyone who learned under, played for, and coached with Pat Summit is a great hire - and I do expect UCLA women's hoops to start climbing in the Pac-10.

5) Have you thought about making each q & a a topical thing? For example one day it'll be all recruiting questions. Another day it would be all basketball questions. All football 09 questiings. All basketball recruiting. All hypotheticals and so on and so forth. Just a thought. - Anonymous
Questions come rolling in throughout the week, so it would be difficult. At some point, I will do more specific Q&A's, though, because that's a good suggestion.

St. Francis safety Dietrich Riley - profile here - will announce his college decision on signing day on ESPN.

UCLA is still in the running, but Riley is picking up interest from many schools, including USC, Ole Miss and LSU.

The wheel of fortune that is Cassius Marsh's recruiting seems to have finally stopped, and it appears Rick Neuheisel is heading to the bonus round.

The Oaks Christian defensive tackle verbally committed to UCLA on Tuesday night, potentially filling a huge position of need for the late-charging Bruins.

Marsh, rated the No. 8 defensive tackle prospect in the country by Scout.com, originally committed to Cal in late April before decommitting a month later, eventually flipping to Louisiana State in late October. After playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in early January, there were rumblings that he might want to stay closer to home. He remained a Tiger commit until Tuesday night, when Neuheisel and Co. lured him back to Southern California.

"That's the way it is today - at this point, I'm saying and he's saying he's going to UCLA," Oaks Christian head coach Bill Redell said. "He went to Cal before the season even started - he's really a good kid, and I think he kinda doesn't like to say no to some people. He's impressed with all these guys, and he should be impressed with them. But he kind of got his heart in front of his head sometimes.

"When he went back for the Army game, he was away from home for a week, and I think he recognized - and this shows some maturity - that he didn't like being away from home."

From UCLA:

Donate shoes at the women's basketball game Saturday or the gymnastics meet Sunday.

UCLA Athletics will be hosting a shoe drive at this weekend's Women's Basketball and Gymnastics home events. The shoe drive is in conjunction with Sport Chalet's partnership with Soles 4 Souls, who have committed to providing 1 million pairs of shoes to aid in the recovery and building process in Haiti.

Bring your new or gently worn shoes to Pauley Pavilion at one or both of the following events this weekend:
Women's Basketball Game - Saturday, January 30th at 2pm
Women's Gymnastics Meet - Sunday, January 31st at 2pm

Shoe collection will take place from 1:00pm-2:00pm. All shoes collected will be sent to Soles 4 Souls for distribution in Haiti.

For information on Sport Chalet's partnership with Soles 4 Souls, go to http://www.sportchalet.com/category/soles+4+souls+and+sport+chalet.do

To make a monetary donation to those in need, visit the Red Cross website at http://www.redcross.org

1) If UCLA gets a couple more recruits , say Jefferson, Heimuli, Pullard, and maybe Owa, who out of the recruiting clsss making a big impact next season. And who do you expect to redshirt and greyshirt? Also who may enroll early? - Anonymous
In order of potential playing time: Jones, (Owa), James, (Heimuli), Olaniyan, Marsh, Barr, Jefferson. Too early to say who'll redshirt and greyshirt. I've only heard about Wade Yandall enrolling early.

2) Honeycutt getting back into it + the zone defense...do you think we have a chance to make it to the big dance? OR is the NIT in our near future? - Anonymous
With the Pac-10 so bad and UCLA seemingly finding some rhythm, I'd put it an NCAA bid at 50/50.

3) Who do you like in the Superbowl? - Anonymous
Who do I like? New Orleans. Who will win? Indianapolis.

4) Jon, is there a likely chance that UCLA can Pick up any sc commits like they did last year with R. Carroll - Lifetime Bruin Fan
Not looking too good.

5) With us seemingly in good shape at OG (Baca returning starter, Williams returning starter, Taylor, Kia and Savage returning with previous starting experience) is there any talk of one of those guys moving to DT - maybe Savage since he has previous DL experience? - Mike H class of 90
With the addition of Cassius Marsh and the possible additions of Ricky Heimuli and Sealii Epenesa, I'd say no.

Hey guys,

I'm taking off for Oregon here shortly, so there will be some radio silence over the next few hours. I'll jump back on when I get to my hotel in Portland.

Thanks
Jon

1) Do you think UCLA will land Brandon Dunson, Trey Zeigler or Ray McCallum? - DK
One of the three, with Zeigler the best bet.

2) Who is this QB Clayton Tunney on the roster and where did him come from? - Anonymous
Don't quite understand all the hoopla on him. He is a transfer from UC Davis who was on the roster almost all season as a scout quarterback. He has served an LDS mission and is 22 years old and from La Costa Canyon in San Diego.

3) What happened with Klay Thompson? Did he have an off day or did we do something right? - Anonymous
Both?

4) The zone seems to be a great thing for the bball team... Is it a function of a) the players we have, fitting them better, b) lack of zone in the Pac-10 with other teams less prepared (or maybe they can't shoot), c) a real change in philosophy for Ben or d) a temporary fix for the inexperience of the team, with a eventual (gradual) replacement of Ben's man-to-man over time? - Matt A
ZERO chance at replacing man-to-man, but certainly an option moving forward.

5) A follow up to Curious Guy's question. The yelling guy never is on the band end of the court, so he can only distract shooters during one half, is this because ucla won't let him switch because of some perception that its unfair to the other team? - loyolaxman
I just don't think he wants to buy two tickets.

1) Would I be too optimistic to think that Hasiak will be back on the team? - Ryan
Hasiak is still in limbo - we're all kind of just waiting. I would lean toward optimism.

2) And on a recruiting note, do you believe that we will round out the class with Pullard, Jefferson, Heimuli, Marsh and possibly Dargan/Riley? - Ryan
No on Dargan and Riley.

3) Looks like Chase Stanback is doing alright with UNLV: 10 and 5. He didn't look too good at UCLA, did one year make a difference? - anonymous
One year, yes, and his role is drastically increased. Everyone's numbers go up in increased minutes.

4) Could USC run of success in recruiting be over, considering UCLA has chances with recruits that are no longer considering USC such as Cassius Marsh, and Ricky Heimuli? - Anonymous
I wouldn't say it's over, but UCLA certainly is not as far behind as it was a few years ago. Like I said a few weeks ago, USC still has Broadway and Park Place, but UCLA put hotels all around.

5) What is the difference between an official and unofficial visit? Are there certain things you are not allowed to do on an unofficial visit? - UCLAVES
Officials are paid for by the school, unofficials by the student. Here's a good explanation I found: http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2009/11/04/the-truth-about-official-visits/

1) Scout has Owa going to Oregon or Nebraska. Do you think we have a chance with him, still? - issixit
Yes, UCLA has a chance, but I still see him going to Nebraska.

2) They also put D4 at USC. What about all the hoopla in the previous two weeks about him being a UCLA lean? - Issixit
I think Riley was always for a reason NOT to go to USC, rather than a reason TO go anywhere else.

3) Finallly, do you have any contact with Biggins at ESPN or Brandon Huffman at Scout, or are you all trying to out-do each other? - issixit
I have never spoken with Biggins, but I can undoubtedly say that without Huff's help, I would be completely lost this season. I have only known him for a short time, but he has become a valued and trusted resource. More than that, he's become a friend. He, Tracy and Robert Kuwada do a fantastic job over at Scout, and while I certainly don't enjoy being so thoroughly beaten on recruiting news, I consider only consider the other newspapers my "competition."

4) Okay, we've seen the Bruins up and down a bit and seen most of the PAC-10. Who wins the league and where does the basketball team finish? - BruinBall
Cal wins the league, UCLA finishes tied for third.

5) Bruins went pretty hard at recruiting Adbul Gaddy, but he honestly didn't look like he's was that big an impact player (so far). Thoughts and his performance versus UCLA? - Bruinball
He had a mediocre game against UCLA - led the team in steals and assists but scored just two points - but there were flashes. He'll be a player.

Oaks Christian defensive tackle Cassius Marsh flipped on LSU and committed to UCLA last night.

In more ways than one, this is massive (besides the implications of Brian Dohn's prediction):

UCLA head coach Ben Howland again mentioned the team's willingness to take charges against the Cougars, a point of emphasis in practice that had fallen by the wayside.
Nelson and Keefe each took a charge against Washington State, eliciting an excited reaction from Howland on the sideline.

"Before the game on Saturday he kept talking about it every practice," Nelson said. "I looked over at the bench when I took my charge. He talks about Alfred (Aboya) sometimes, just the toughness, do whatever you can do to make the team win.
"But it's not really instinct to want to get run over."

Despite a five-game losing streak earlier in the year, disappointing losses to Arizona and Stanford that followed big wins, and a crushing defeat to cross-town rival USC, the Bruins are very much alive in this topsy-turvy season.

At 4-3 in conference play - and 9-10 overall - UCLA is in the thick of the Pac-10 race, with five teams at 4-3, one game behind Cal.

"We're in position, we're in the driver's seat," UCLA senior forward James Keefe said. "We can still make a season out of this. I just think it's up for grabs. When we had that huge losing streak, there was a lot of indifference. Everyone's not happy when you're losing. That was just turmoil. We've got a couple wins, a couple big wins, and I think everyone is realizing we can do something."

Free throws have been anything but this season for the UCLA men's basketball team.
In fact, they've been quite costly.

The Bruins rank dead last in the Pac-10 in free-throw shooting percentage at a .613 clip, after hitting .724 percent last season.

The foul struggles have left the players confused and the coaches frustrated, as even extensive work in practice - as much as 200 free throws in a day for some players - has not translated to the games.

"I don't have an answer for that, that's not an easy answer," senior forward James Keefe said. "We work on it a lot in practice. I don't think we have bad shooters on this team. A lot of the guys that are missing, I'm confident when they go up to the line. I don't know what it is - I think it's just something that will come around."

UCLA verbal commits Malcolm Jones of Oaks Christian, Chris Ward of Mater Dei and Kip Smith of Broomfield (Colo.) were named to the Parade All-American football team. Potential Bruins Hayes Pullard and Owamagbe Odighizuwa were also named to the team, along with several familiar names.

The Team

UCLA freshman forward Tyler Honeycutt on the Pac-10's down turn:

"I really expected Cal and Washington to dominate off the bat. It's kind of reverse. Some of the teams who were expected to do well aren't and some of the teams who weren't are doing well. It's probably a lot better for us - we're not going into a game really underestimating anybody."

1) Hoops: During a typical week of Pac-10 games, how many days and hours does the team practice? - Anonymous
About four days of practice, and around 8-10 hours.

2) What contribution should be expected from Stover throughout his career? BTW, is he red-shirting this year? - Blue Bruin
Yes, he's redshirting, and we haven't seen enough of him to know his expectations.

3) Am I the only one that thinks Anthony Barr will be a much better running back than Malcolm Jones. I know the coaches are going to give them both there shot at RB, and will likely move one to the defensive side of the ball. So I'm just wondering what your guess is as to how it all turns out. - Bruin44
I like Barr a lot, but at 6-foot-4, he's a big, big target. Unless he has the strength of a Brandon Jacobs, which is extremely rare in running backs, I don't see him beating Jones out. I do however, think Barr would make for a fantastic safety or linebacker - or go the TCU route and convert him to defensive end and watch him go to the NFL.

4) Is Wade Yandall enrolled? If not, when? - UCLA3
Yandall will enroll in March in time for Spring ball.

5) I'm sure many of the followers of this blog will say one of the key days of the year is football's national signing day. Any plans for how you will be covering the signings? (Hint: I believe Dohn had postings throughout the day last year) - tim warren
I plan to be at UCLA all day, with a chat starting in the morning and open throughout the day, a brief respite to record a special signing day podcast, and live updates all day on twitter (@TheCoolSub) and the Inside UCLA Facebook page.

New, corrected link: Go to the Inside UCLA Podcast blog to hear the latest episode, or to subscribe via iTunes or RSS.

In this episode, Jon talks with Daily News columnist Vinnie Bonsignore about Bruin recruiting, the state of the UCLA football program, how the UCLA basketball program can deal with player defections, and which Bruin basketball players have the potential to do well in the NBA.

Note to Inside UCLA Podcast feed subscribers: The iTunes and RSS feeds have been fixed and updated.

FIRE AND ICE CHART AFTER THE JUMP

Spent a while putting this together today, and I think it's worth it. We're doing a major UCLA/USC recruiting chart tomorrow for the Daily News, essentially a hot/cold list of how the rest of the recruiting class will likely fall.

I spoke with my boy Brandon Huffman, Scout.com's West Region Recruiting Manager, and he gave me his take, as well.

The chart to follow shortly, so stick around the computer for another 15 minutes before you leave the office, folks.

1) How great would it be if UCLA's arena were as nice as SDSU's? - Blue Bruin
Yes, but SDSU's was built in '96 and has absolutely zero history. Cool, they rushed the floor after an NIT win in 2003. I'd say 11 national championships means a bit more.

2) Does UCLA have a shot at Markeith Ambles? What about the wide receivers who have already committed to USC? - Anonymous
No.

3) I know this is a bigger question than a sports blog needs/should deal with because there are so many other issues that go with it (and I do not know if you have been asked before) - but here goes anyway: Do you think the UCLA administration should "open things up" (to whatever degree) to make it "easier" for admissions of student athletes? - JJA42
Absolutely not. UCLA is an institution of higher learning, and it is a public institution. To ease up on the admission standards would be an insult to the 35,000-plus students. There are plenty of smart football players to go around. Neuheisel seems to be a pretty good so far, no?

4) Will abdul-hamid return to the hoops team next year? - Anonymous
Howland would be insane not to force MAH to return. Talk about a guy with guts and character. Easily one of the most likeable athletes I've ever met, and with such little experience returning, he needs to be back.

5) Will Thigpen get buried deep in the depth chart next season behind Jones, James, and Franklin? Will Thigpen move to cornerback? - anonymous
Thigpen won't get moved to CB, but I don't see how he can start over those three. I like Thigpen a lot - a quick burst, solid moves. But he just isn't big enough to be an every-down back. Now, if NC uses him creatively - which they tried to do at times this season - he could be a major offensive factor. Big if, though.

Ben Howland, on what he wants out of a zone defense:
"Zone can be very effective. Jim Boeheim for example, recruits to the zone. They want long, athletic guys. His field goal percentage defense over 30 years is probably 40 or under. They scheme to shooters. I love that zone defense. That's pressure, creating havoc with length and athletic guys. If I had my druthers, that's what I'd want to play. We want to keep it compact and bottom line, make you beat us at the perimeter."

I really enjoyed reading your observation on the Barr commitment. However, I believe that getting Malcolm Jones was just as big in terms of "selling the program." Considering he is a great student, that RB is not a position of need and his accomplishments in high school (Gatorade National Player of the Year), I believe that Neuheisel did a great job of showing what UCLA has to offer Jones (in football and beyond). And while he may not have the versatility of Barr, Jones did play LB as well as RB. Do you agree with this, or still think that the Barr commitment was bigger? Thanks for your time. - Bruwin5931
Both are definitely huge. Jones might have the more immediate impact - and establishing an Oaks Christian pipeline is major - but the Barr commitment just strikes me as a major long-term get, particularly against Notre Dame.

Does it appear CRN may be focusing on offensive skill players, of which he was criticized for at Wash and Colorado? - Joe B. Ruin
Look at who might close out this class. No.

With talk of the pre-NFL draft running backs you don't hear anything about Stafon Johnson. Do you think he'll be drafted? If not, would a strong senior bowl help? - Anonymous
Obviously, as it stands, Johnson is more of a story than a prospect. No one knows how he'll respond to the injury. It takes a hell of a lot of courage to resume his career in any way. If it works out, good for him.

Do you think that, as a coach, Ben Howland will gain more from this season then the seasons he took UCLA to the finals? - cfcfan
Absolutely.

Is Mike Moser redshirting? - Anonymous
No, but he's out of the rotation for now. Has to work on his jumper and his patience.

1) Will Josh Smith start immediately at the 5 next year? That would make a decent lineup: Anderson - Lee - Honeycutt - Smith. Do you agree? Will this team play in March? - Anonymous
Smith is an intriguing prospect, and the more I watch his video, the more impressed I am. Here's the latest video I watched - Smith Video. For a big man - and he is a BIG man - he has a deft touch, and pairing bulky Smith with renegade Nelson is a dangerous post. With Honeycutt and Lee on the wings, and just ONE more guy stepping up, that's a potentially lethal squad. Until I see him adjust to the college game though, I remain cautious. Regarding this team and March - barring a miracle run or a P10 Tourney title, no.

2) Do you see J'Mison Morgan getting any major minutes in the next two years? - Anonymous
Until he gets better defensively, no, which is unfortunate, because I like his offensive game.

3) Will Howland land the PG from Detroit?? - H8T SuC
Last I talked to him, he was completely up in the air and planning to wait out the process. Too early to tell.

4) Ben has resisted using a zone defense from day one. Even when we were so outclassed in final four games when offenses were killing the man on man he refused to make coaching changes. WHY!! - BC
That same stubbornness is what makes him a great coach. Coaches have systems, and they recruit players into those systems, and when those players leave early, everything is thrown off. When you're as good as UCLA was in the mid-2000s, why install a scheme that you don't want to use and haven't practiced?

5) UCLA's football recruiting class finish nationally? - Frozen Puck On A Stick
And the award for longest username goes to...oh, sorry - eighth.

Sporting News says the Bruins will have a top-10 class with a few more pickups...

UCLA in Sporting News

Hey guys,

fire away with questions for this week's Q&A. Best question of the week will get 10 questions for a football recruit or hoops player if their choosing (please allow some time for the recruit , if needed.

Thanks
Jon

From UCLA:

"Four members of the Bruin football team competed in today's East-West Shrine Game in Orlando, FL - receiver/kick returner Terrence Austin, linebacker Reggie Carter, h-back Ryan Moya and cornerback Alterraun Verner.

Moya scored one of the West's two touchdowns - an eight-yard reception from BYU's Max Hall. Overall,he made two catches for 11 yards and carried the ball once for four yards.

Austin made two receptions for 18 yards (the West only had 12 completions), averaged 8.0 yards on two punt returns (one for 15) and had 24 yards on two kickoff returns.

Verner returned one kickoff (13 yards) and one punt. On defense, he made three solo tackles and broke up one pass.

Carter was third on the West team with five tackles (four solos), including one for a two-yard loss.

The East defeated the West, 13-10, scoring the winning touchdown with six seconds remaining in the game."

Ben Howland on UCLA's defense: "Probably the greatest thing of the whole thing is to see James Keefe and Reeves Nelson step up and take charges. We haven't done that very well in the last month. That was so big. If anyone was watching the game, I was so excited. I would've jumped through the roof if I could."

UCLA head coach Ben Howland admitted in Saturday's post-game press conference that he regretted not introducing the zone defense earlier this season.
"It's been very poor coaching on my part to not recognize that earlier," Howland said. "It's not something I want to do. But it's something we need to do in order to be competitive."

Forget Sunday Bloody Sunday: Saturdays have become the day of reckoning for the UCLA men's basketball team this season.
The Bruins have followed convincing Thursday performances in recent weeks with lackadaisical Saturday efforts, the back ends of two-game spurts leaving UCLA unsatisfied and embarrassed.

A Thursday win over Arizona State? A Saturday loss to Arizona.
A Wednesday win at Cal? A Saturday loss at Stanford.

And then there was the debacle of last weekend's 67-46 loss to USC, quite clearly the low point in a season of ups and downs.

That all ended Saturday, as UCLA followed a buzzer-beater win over Washington on Thursday with a 74-62 win against Washington State at Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins controlled the game from the opening tip - the Cougars never took the lead - and led by as many 15 points in winning on Saturday for the first time this season, after five losses.

"I can definitely tell you it wasn't the partying - we don't go out the night before games," said freshman forward Reeves Nelson, who led UCLA with 19 points in 25 minutes. "Just today, we kind of drew the line and said we need to stop taking teams lightly - the lesser of the two teams in the public's eye - lightly. Before we ran out, we got in our little huddle and I said, 'We need to just not take no for answer, play our best, play our hardest.'
"In a little more colorful language, but they got the message."

Trying to find some offense from Tyler Honeycutt has at times this season been like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Maybe all he needed were some needles in his shin...and his back...and his hip.
Honeycutt visited an acupuncturist on Wednesday and it paid off on Thursday in UCLA's 62-61 win over Washington at Pauley Pavilion.

Honeycutt had 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block in what UCLA head coach Ben Howland called his best performance of the season. In scoring double figures for just the third time this season, the freshman forward out of Sylmar High hit all four of his shots and both 3-point attempts.

"Body- wise, (Thursday)was the first day I can remember since I've been here that I haven't had any pain," said Honeycutt, who is averaging 4.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in 12 games. "I've been having hip problems, so yesterday I got some acupuncture. Got it in my calf, my lower back - (Thursday) I woke up and everything is feeling good. I guess it works."

UCLA signee and Mater Dei senior Tyler Lamb will enroll at UCLA early, beginning in the summer session.
"Coach Howland wanted me to enroll during the summer - if i was to stay there all my years, one i would be able to graduate early," Lamb said. "But being there early also gets me a chance to get ready for college basketball."

After summers spent almost exclusively devoted to basketball and training, Lamb looks forward to a summer devoted to the college transition.
"I think I'm ready to just go to college," Lamb said. "Every summer, it's been the same thing for me since the 8th grade - working out, travelling. I think im ready to go to college and step into the adult world."

More quotes after the jump...

1) Hypothetically, if we go 3-4 as you mentioned as a very slight possibility in the Podcast, would Jones, Holmes, Tepa, Graham, Bryant (if he signs), OWA (if he signs)become OLB's or down linemen. They all seem too big for OLB's but too small as down linemen. Beings that we have a ton of talent at that position it would be a shame to play them out of position. - Resource Guy
I could see Graham becoming a hybrid DE/LB, but that's about it.

2) So relative to UCLA, USC has a bunch of mediocre basketball players and absolutely no reason to do anything but sleepwalk through the season after being shut down by their own department, yet somehow they seem motivated. In that respect, is Ben Howland being out-coached by Kevin O'Neill? In the head-to-head and on the season as a whole (so far). - Thurston Howell IIIBoth are fantastic coaches, and both have been under duress this season. I don't think Howland is being outcoached, but I think this season has opened his eyes a bit in terms of the kind of system he runs and players he gets.

3) I'm lookig at the recruit rankings for PG's in 2010..And you mean to tell me that BH can't get a kid to come to UCLA vs the likes of Dayton, Mizzou, N.C. State, Memphis, ASU, Florida St among others. What does this tell us about his ability to recruit and sell his brand of basketball to recruits especially guards which are so important in NCAA BB? - BigDBruin
Well, considering that UCLA is making a big push for the No. 7 PG in the country, it tells me you're a bit impatient.

4) What happened to Earnest Thomas? Did we not show him any love? Did he decide to stay closer to home? Any chance we get him back or have we BOTH moved on? FYI, I liked him. I thought he was a a BIG hitter with the MidWest toughness we need. - BruinFaithful
I heard he just wanted to stay close to home.

5) What happened to Nottingham? Did we not show him any love? Did he decide to stay closer to home? Any chance we get him back or have we BOTH moved on? - BruinFaithful
The whole situation is messed up. UCLA showed him plenty of love. From most accounts, he just changed his mind.

1) What is the long-term outlook for Morgan? - Bobo
Out about two more weeks. Then back at it, trying to improve defensively and on shot selection.

2) What's your take on why coach Howland sticks with Dragovic so loyally despite massive underperformance on both sides of the ball? If this year has shown us anything, it's that inexperience can really hurt a team, and other guys could probably make better use of his minutes. - Wyatt
Dragovic has earned his place in the program after four years, and Lane is simply not ready. Howland thought Dragovic was turning the corner a couple weeks ago, but he's had some bad performances, and Dragovic responded with a nice game yesterday.

3) Mr. Gold, I have a two part question, first assuming your prediction is correct that UCLA might finish below .500 does Neuheisel's seat start to warm up and the second part, considering that USC will have a new coach next year, who needs to win the rivalry game more, Kiffin or Neuheisel? Thank you in advance. - Gilligan
Hey little buddy, I don't think UCLA will finish below .500, but at 7-6. No, Neuheisel has two more years before results should be demanded. Kiffin needs the game more next year. Neuheisel, the year after.

4) What is the status on Jordan Zumwalt? - Anonymous
Torn between UCLA and Stanford. Hasn't made up his mind yet.

5) What Pac-10 players do you see getting drafted in the upcoming NFL draft?
OSU: Canfield, Peat. Oregon: Dickson. USC: Griffen, Williams, Byers, Brown, Mays, Pinkard, McKnight, Thomas. UCLA: Price, Verner, Carter, Paulsen, Moya. ASU: Davis. Stanford: Gerhart. Cal: Best, Alualu, Thompson.

Just my opinion on UCLA landing Loyola's Anthony Barr...

1) How would you evaluate Chuck Bullough's first year as defensive coordinator? What will be his stiffest challenge for next season? - Assistant
I'd give Bullough a C+. At times, his defensive schemes were completely predictable and way too safe. As the season progressed, he started to make better in-game adjustments. In the EagleBank Bowl, he called his best game of the season, with special pressure packages that stifled Temple's passing game. I expect big things from him, though his biggest challenge is simply replacing Brian Price.

2) When is it more time to see more of Lane and Moser and less of Dragovic and Roll? - Critic
With the Pac-10 as poor as it is, Howland needs to play for now until he is convinced there is no now.

3) Jerime Anderson: has potential but legitimately hampered by injury...or just really that bad? - Anonymous
If he gained some confidence, A. If not...

4) It seems nearly impossible to get juco or other transfer football players (see Mobley and Warner) admitted. What is the status of Lazeric Jones' eligibility and admitability? - Admissions Counselor
Jones' grades are not an issue at all.

5) How would you describe the relationship between Howland and Dragovic? - ComradeStable.

Ben Howland called it faith.
Tyler Honeycutt called it fate.
And it was probably somewhere in between.

UCLA junior reserve guard Mustafa Abdul-Hamid hit a jumper from just inside the 3-point line as time expired to give the Bruins a 62-61 win over Washington on Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion.

After senior guard Michael Roll hit two free throws with 7.6 seconds left to give UCLA a one-point lead, Washington guard Venoy Overton drove the length of the floor in four seconds to put the Huskies up one.

Roll inbounded the ball from underneath the basket to Abdul-Hamid at mid-court, Abdul-Hamid took the ball to just inside the 3-point line, stuttered, faked, took a step back and hoisted the game-winner.

"I was watching TV one time, and Kobe was talking about his game-winners - if you look, he shot-fakes a lot of times," Abdul-Hamid said. "The defense doesn't know the clock, and you do; I would have had to really fade and force a shot if I hadn't been able to fake."

Me to Anthony Barr: "You headed to UCLA?"
Barr to me: "Yeh"

Barr's verbal commitment to UCLA is absolutely huge, no matter the position. The kid is just a player. If he ends up competing with Malcolm Jones and Jordon James at running back, if he switches to linebacker, if he bulks up and plays tight end, whatever - he's a ballplayer.

He and I will talk tonight or tomorrow about the decision, but in the meantime, here's his recruiting profile and a Youtube video. Check out that first run, and his burst at the second level.

Barr Profile

Barr Highlights

Jeff Baumhower of IrishEyes.com is saying that he got a text from Loyola RB/LB Anthony Barr saying that he verbally committed to UCLA.

I've already texted and called Barr, but his phone is going to straight to voicemail. I'll stay on top of it.

1) If you could change one aspect of UCLA to improve the football program, what would be it? - Fan4Life
A better blogger?

2) As of right now, long-term success headed for bb team or fb team? I think it's great that Howland manned up and said it is his fault for how poor bb team is right now, do you think more criticism from fans is justified? This is his team, his recruits, so it's a joke that team is this bad while Pac-10 is down. I'm confused, didn't UCLA recruit better players than USC, and maybe I'm wrong but I thought first yr coach USC too. Do you feel ucla really has no excuse for playing this poorly? Aside from how bb team is playing this year, who do you feel has better value to purchase tickets, bb or fb team? Why is bb team not as fan friendly compared to fb team? Do you feel bb program caters to high donors more then the regular joe? Why doesn't bb program try to go after younger fans like the fb team? Clearly I have season football tickets, and feel as a whole, past and current, they care more about their fans. Even when bb team was winning, I still think bb program and how they market it to fans is a big bore, and seem indifferent to their core fans...unlike the fb team. Thoughts? - JoeBRuin
Umm...
Well, UCLA basketball has a much bigger cache in the sports world, and that will always translate to more long-term success. With the youth of the team, I think yes, fans are being too harsh. As to the rest of your answer: Yes, UCLA football fans are a passionate bunch. But the hardcore basketball guys care just as much.

3) It's my understanding that football recruits get 5 official visits. For Owa, the link you provided showed 5 visits, but not visits to Oregon and Oregon State. How can they be in the mix if he hasn't even made an official visit? - Recruit
He can take unofficial visits. Officials aren't a requirement.

4) What is the long-term impact of losing Nottingham, and what does the coaching staff think about it? - Flipper
Losing Nottingham is not anywhere near as serious as people think. If anything, it opens up a spot for an elite recruit next season, particularly because of the two-year gap and what I expect to be an improved season next year.

5) If UCLA brings in a class of 25 recruits, does that mean Neuheisal himself has personally visited each of the recruits' homes? - Proud Parent
Not necessarily.

1) Last year, we arguably had a Top 10 recruiting class in Football. Where do you see us ending up this year? Top 10 again? Or Top __? - BDB
If UCLA gets 75 percent of its remaining targets, top-15.

2) Should Mark Sanchez have stayed in college another year? - anonymous
No.

3) Pants on the ground. Your thoughts? - Semi-Pro
Good in theory, but hard to walk. Oh, the song?

4) If you were in Chuck Bullough's shoes with the difficulty UCLA has in getting DTs, what defense would you run? Or what measures would you take to offset the DT issue? - Fan4Life
I'd look to all different positions to try to fill the gap. But I would still stay in a base 4-3, perhaps with an optional 3-4. Don't think UCLA has a real nose guard, though.

5) What did you think of Neuheisel's speech at the basketball game? Does it seem like he wants to start his relationship with Lane Kiffin is a positive way? - Anonymous
He did what any coach in his position would do.

1) What is Ben Olsen doing (beside your podcast) these days? Does he get paid for the podcost work or does he view it as an internship toward a possible career in sports broadcasting? - Anonymous
Ben is married with a beautiful wife and son and he is very interested in sports broadcasting, and has been fantastic. His perspective is refreshing and rare, particularly from his point as someone who unfortunately missed his senior season, yet was still very much a part of the team.

2) I'm a bit upset (unless my question from last week is one you still intend to get to). Here I ask a legitimate question about a potential recruit for next year (Woodson Greer of Serra) and you don't answer it, but do answer lame questions not pertaining to UCLA about hot dogs, late night TV hosts, and old, old golf funeral jokes (that one passed by years ago)? - Big Woof!
From the looks of it - 140 tackles and 11.5 sacks, it's reported - he's pretty solid. Good size at about 6-foot, 215, and quite the ballhawk. Here's what Serra coach Scott Altenberg told ESPN: "I'm actually shocked no one has offered Woodson yet," Altenberg said. "He has all the measurable's schools are looking for, makes plays all over the field, can run and hit, he's a physical kid and works very hard. I haven't had a chance to get his film out yet because I've been working hard on getting the seniors a ride somewhere but once schools see his tape, I know the offers will start to flood in."

3) What is Stan Hasiak's status? Is there still decisions to be made, or is there a conclusion, but no one is saying it yet? What's the issue here? - Mike04
A UCLA official told me yesterday that he was still attending classes while indefinitely suspended from the team.

4) Why isn't Moser and Lane getting more time? They can miss just as many shots as Dragovic, but they'll be here next year. Don't you agree that we need to develop the young talent? - Peter
I think both need to be playing more, but they are still very, very raw.

5) How much do you know of Reeves Nelson. It disturbs me that he laughed after missing the front end of an 1 & 1 last Saturday, and he was laughing after fouling out at the Stanford game. Both times we were losing. Does the kid or, for that matter, does the team have any pride at all in wearing the UCLA uniform? - Robert Howe
I'm pretty sure he was laughing out of frustration, not enjoyment.

1) What are the chances that Howland shakes up his coaching staff next year? Realistically he's not going to "cut" any players (see SC) and he's pretty stubborn to change his whole coaching style. So I would assume that the first blow would be to his assistants, to bring in some new blood to tweak some things. Am I crazy to think this? - UCLA3
I wouldn't be surprised.

2) Jon, do you think Randall Carroll can eventually be as good as Desean Jackson?.. they seem to be similar players in my mind - Anonymous
That's a pretty lofty comparison. He's fast, but I'm not sure if he's as football fast - the ability to maintain speed while cutting a

3) One answer that gives a consolidated recruiting review would be great. Heimuli and Barr are my two biggest questions, but any light you can shine on all would be appreciated. - Eddieboomboom
Heimuli looks pretty good, but it's certainly no guarantee. Barr is getting major heat from Notre Dame, and while I would still be surprised if he didn't end up at UCLA, it's less certain than a month ago.

4) Could Mike Leach keep Bruin football players from "going over the wall?" - Anonymous
I think Mike Leach would say..."There is no wall." And then try to run right through it. He probably could.

5) Why was Morrell Pressley not a bigger impact this season? Was he just too far down in the depth chart or was there something else going on? - San Diego Therapist
For whatever reason, he just never appeared comfortable to me this season. He had some miscues in practice, and I don't think the coaching staff felt he did enough with the plays he got. Plus, UCLA's wide receivers were brilliant at times, and it's hard to justify limiting them when their talent was so tantalizing and unpredictable.

Michael Cooper apologizes for F*** UCLA comments:

Coop's Whoops

Former UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price is on the front of ESPN's NFL Draft page, as the experts break down the defensive tackle in the draft.

1) Is Yates expected to play on the DL? - JoeSmith
Yes.

2) Why has UCLA struggled on QB depth over the last 10 yrs? - Joe B. Ruin
Awful, awful luck. Way too much turnover (particularly at offensive coordinator). Poor performance.

3) We keep Chow, so why did we lose a top recruit to Stanford this late? Fair to criticize CRN and Chow, this is their specialty? - Joe B. Ruin
This is pretty clear an anomaly. Flips like this don't happen very often.

4) Thoughts on having only two real QB's into spring ball? Crissman not having any shot, rest are walk-ons. - Joe B. Ruin
I think UCLA's quarterback situation is fine.

5) Do you think UCLA will land one of Heimuli-Marsh-Uko? - JoeSmith
Yes, and maybe two of the three.

1) It Randall Carroll the KR/PR for next season? - Spencer
I'd expect Josh Smith to get the first look.

2) Sorry, I have a few more questions. Considering the big recruiting weekends over the past few weeks, I am a bit surprised that we did not get a few more commitments. Were you surprised by this as well, or were you expecting this to happen? - Bruwin5931
Well, UCLA is in play for its biggest recruiting class in a while, and the best recruits tend to wait until later to commit. That's the double-edged sword here.

3) Also, the Yates commitment was a bit of a surprise. Although I know we need defensive linemen, are the coaches worried with the recruitment of Owa at this point? As far as I know, Yates was offered a scholarship during this weekend. Considering the timing of this offer, I am a bit concerned that this may be a reaction to the progression of Owa's recruitment. - Bruwin5931
Owa sounded completely torn when I talked to him earlier this week. I believe UCLA is in major play, but he is torn. When a guy is torn like this, and you get the chance to get an immediate commitment, you take it.

4) Do you think the Nottingham decommit had anything to do with the hoopla surrounding USC and Norm Chow? Seems like a legitimate change of heart, but the timing is interesting. - Vin
I'm sure that didn't help the cause, but everything I'm hearing on Nottingham was that he basically played UCLA.

5) How did the big recruiting weekend go? Besides Yates, any other non-committed players interested? Heimuli,Marsh,etc. - Anonymous
It went well, very well, but the immediate dividends were not there. No major commitments. Heimuli, Marsh are both very high on UCLA but are going to wait.

UCLA offensive guard Stan Hasiak is still at UCLA attending classes, but remains on indefinite suspension from the football team. That is only a good sign - if he continues to earn the trust of the UCLA coaching staff, he should be back.

1) Jon do you think we will try to add a QB to this years recruits or just wait till next year?? - Rico Bruin
The Nottingham situation was such a public jilting that I think they essentially have to wait til next year. Next year, though, is a rather weak class at quarterback - as it stands, Scout only has eight four-star QBs for 2011 and zero five stars.

2) Does Honeycutt have more offense then we've seen? If so, what is it? Inside Game/Outside Shooting etc.? - Steve
Honeycutt thrived in high school by simply being longer, more athletic and, well, better, than his peers. I saw one of his games - 42 points, 25 boards - that left me absolutely breathless. Of course, he wasn't penetrating against a 6-10 center and a 6-8 power forward against a 6-6 small forward, though. He reminds me of a Shawn Marion type, a great all-around player who thrives in transition and with clean-up points.

3) Even with Jrue, I'm not sure this team would be near the top of the PAC-10. Seems like they're missing guys to score from the inside and Jrue wasn't that assertive a player on the offense end anyway. What do you think? - Steve
Jrue would have been a better defender and a much better creator than anything UCLA has. While he might not have been instant offense himself, the team would be better offensively. Still not at top-of-the-conference level, but better.

4) In Part 6 answers the first question seems to refer to Norm Chow leaving. Where is this coming from? I thought he announced he was back, excited and happy to be with UCLA. - East Bay Bruin
That was a bad attempt by me to be funny and snarky. Yes, Chow is at UCLA and happy to be there.

5) To your credit, you didn't report much on the Chow thing along the way. Why do you think it became such a story so quickly? Was SC feeding the media to soften the Kiffin news, or was this just Wolfie and the rest trying to make news where there was none? - Spedjones
Appreciate the compliment, but I was definitely part of the mass hysteria. It's very hard as a reporter to deem who is credible and who is just talking out of their...let's just say, it's difficult. The problem with blogs is often times people just want to hear the latest news and gossip, even if it's not 100 percent.

On two Pac-10 road losses becoming a "mental thing:"
"I can't call it a mental thing yet, because we've played two conference games and didn't do well. I can't say that yet. On the heels of how we performed this weekend, if we go out on the road and win or lose don't play the right way, it can become more of a concern."

...so that we can have an impromptu Super Tuesday chat. I know it's not Super Tuesday. I know it seems like an average Tuesday. But there's a lot of stuff going on, and I'm sure you guys want to talk, so let's do it.

How does 2 p.m. sound?

The latest Scout.com rankings came out today, and there was some major movement with some UCLA commits and targets.

* Malcolm Jones is now the No. 3 running back from No. 6.
* Owamagbe Odighizuwa is now the No. 8 defensive end from 11.
* Jordan Zumwalt jumped 11 spots to the No. 9 MLB.
* Jordon James moved to the No. 11 running back.
* Dietrich Riley fell to the No. 16 safety.

There was more movement, so here's the updated list: UCLA Recruits

Just got off the phone with Owamagbe Odighizuwa, and he sounds more torn than ever.

UCLA, Nebraska, Oregon and Oregon State remain his favorites and while he says he "feels good about UCLA; I feel like they have a good thing going for their program," Owa was quick to say that other schools are still in the mix.

"At this point I'm looking for a reason not to want to go to a certain school," Odighizuwa said. "Every school is kind of even at this point. I'm looking for a reason not to go."

As the putrid smell of UCLA's throttling at the hands of cross-town rival USC fades away, the Bruins seem to finally be getting frustrated and embarrassed with the state of the season.

In early season losses, the tone was, "Well, we're young, and we'll improve."
Then it became, "We need to work on the fundamentals."

Now it has become, "I am embarrassed."

"I'm embarrassed for our team," head coach Ben Howland said after the Bruins' 67-46 loss to USC on Saturday. "I feel embarrassed for our program, for the former players and coaches. That's all you can say about this effort today. It was embarrassing. That's what I told the players after the game.
"And I'm responsible. Number one."

You've got questions...
I've got answers...

Fire away, and if there are enough questions by tomorrow, you'll get the dish sooner than later. There are a few left over from last week that I'll get to, also.

Thanks guys
JG

1) Jon, can you verify if Chow is saying Ciao to CRN and the Bruins. - StorminNorman
Nope, can't.

2) Scout.com and Rivals use a system of stars to rate recruits. What is the criteria for 5 stars, 4 stars, etc.? - anonymous
It's a combination of camp performances, game film and in-person performances, future potential and immediate impact potential.

3) For official recruiting visits to UCLA, how are the individual player hosts selected? - Anonymous
I believe they volunteer, but that's a great question. I'll try to follow up.

4) Will Michael Roll be drafted into the NBA? - Anonymous
No, but he can be a very successful player overseas.

5) What ever happened to the basketball careers of former UCLA team members Ryan Wright (recruited in 2005) and Chase Stanback (recruited in 2007)? - Anonymous
Wright averages 16.5 minutes and a little more than three points per game for the Oklahoma Sooners, and Stanback nine points in 24 minutes for the UNLV Rebels.

6) What is your reaction to Lane Kiffin coming to USC? - Anonymous
In a word, shocking. Shocking and spontaneous. Shocking and spontaneous and catastrophic. Maybe that's more than one word.

Forgot to post this link, guys:

Ben and I are back giving you the skinny on the USC coaching situation, Norm Chow, UCLA needing some consistency and Xavier Su'a-Filo's decision

Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.

1) What are your thoughts on the Conan O'brien situation? - Anonymous
I love Conan, but I don't blame Jay Leno for this. NBC is run by a bunch of idiots - Jeff Zucker, I'm looking at you - and they're trying to salvage what they can out of the Leno relationship. As boring and bland as Leno is, he resonates with middle America better than anyone in late-night. Conan had to dumb down his show for months, and it kinda sucked, but I hope he realizes what he can be at 11:30. Hopefully at Fox.

2) Who is visiting this weekend? - DegiaVu
Malcolm Jones

Jordon James

Sealii Epenesa

Ricky Heimuli

Anthony Barr

Eric Kendricks

Shaquille Richardson

Anthony Jefferson

Paul Richardson

Tevin McDonald

John Young

Wesley Flowers

Rykeem Yates

Cassius Marsh

3) Update on milton knox? - DegiaVu
Told me two days ago he wasn't going anywhere.

4) Any rumbling on any possible transfers? - DegiaVu
Not that I've heard of.

5) What is the possibility ucla finishes with a final 8 of owa, shirley, pullard, barr, riley, heimuli, zumwalt, thompson? - DegiaVu
That would be a dream finish for UCLA, and I think they can realistically get five of the eight.

Fresno Edison defensive end Rykeem Yates, I'm told, has verbally committed to UCLA. Yates joins high school teammates Wesley Flowers and Tevin McDonald as verbal commits for the Bruins, and he is the Bruins' third defensive end for this class. UCLA is still waiting on decisions from Ego Ferguson and Owamagbe Odighizuwa.

Yates went into an official visit to UCLA this weekend without a scholarship offer, but left with an offer and a commitment.

How does a UCLA men's basketball team score only four points in nearly seven minutes?
For the bumbling Bruins on Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion, it was shockingly simple.

Senior forward Nikola Dragovic misses a couple off-balance shots and the team turns the ball over. Freshman forward Reeves Nelson can't convert inside and sophomore shooting guard Malcolm Lee starts hoisting ill-advised 3-pointers.

USC put the clamps on UCLA early and built an 11-point lead to start the game, ultimately closing out the Bruins 67-46 on Saturday.

For measure, it was the Bruins' worst loss to their cross-town rival in 65 years and the Trojans' biggest win ever at Pauley Pavilion over UCLA.

"Our guys were pumped up for the game, so I think that contributed to a few of the early mishaps," said UCLA head coach Ben Howland, whose team tied for its season-low 3-point shooting percentage at just 3-for-20. "We're going to have to start the game just being in motion, understanding that we're going to wait. We just struggled to score. We couldn't score."

There is no headline for this.
There is no cutline or byline or deck.
Really, there are no words for this.
This is as bad I've seen a team play offensively, and somehow, UCLA only trails USC 33-21 at the half at Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins are shooting 8-for-25 and have seven turnovers and just 11 rebounds, compared to 21 for the Trojans.

Nikola Dragovic: 0-5 from the field, 0-2 3-pointers
Michael Roll: 0-6, 0-3

To sum it up: When two starters go scoreless in a half, it's probably a bad half.

Here's my feature in today's Daily News about Michael Roll, who has been UCLA's most consistent player this year, after years as a contributor:

Michael Roll Feature

Just heard that Oaks Christian DL Cassius Marsh is on an official visit to UCLA this weekend. Two weeks ago he told me he was not interested in the Bruins. Guess something changed between now and then...

Monte Vista quarterback Brett Nottingham decommits from UCLA, commits to Stanford on official visit

The new Inside UCLA Podcast With Jon Gold and Ben Olson is here.

Click the link to listen, download and subscribe.

1) Will you be hosting more recruiting chats? That was fun, especially with D4! - BruinChick
Definitely, and Malcolm Jones said he wants to join the next one. We'll try to set it up for next week.

2) Who is the best MLB pitcher of our generation, and why? - BruinChick
Best: Greg Maddux. Most dominant: Randy Johnson. Scummiest: Roger Clemens. Guy I'd want: Pedro Martinez. Guy I wouldn't want: Delino Freaking DeShields. Thanks, Dodgers.

3) I think you should get a message board. Any possibility of that happening? - Anonymous
For now, the blog will have to do. But we're looking for ways to expand.

4) Forbath. stay or go? - UCLAbruin1989
Stay.

5) Jon, assuming that only seniors leave the team next year how many open recruiting spots are there for hoops next year? How many of those spots does Howland want to fill next year. - Highlander
Five, I believe. And Howland wants five.

From UCLA:

Kai Forbath, perhaps the best field goal kicker in UCLA history, will return for the 2010 football season. Today is the final day for non-seniors to enter their name for the NFL Draft.

"I considered my options, but I want to help continue the momentum of building our program here at UCLA," Forbath said from New Haven, CT, where is participating in the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America weekend along with fellow Bruin Rahim Moore. "It is also important to me, as well as to my family, to earn my degree."

In 2009, Forbath was the consensus All-America place kicker and won the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top kicker. He made 28 of 31 field goals, including all 25 of his attempts from inside 50 yards. He led the nation in field goals per game (2.15) and his percentage of .903 was second nationally among kickers with 23 or more attempts.

Forbath enters his senior year second on UCLA's career list with 72 field goals (the record is 85 by John Lee). In addition, his career percentage of .867 (72 of 83) is the highest in school history, well ahead of Lee's current record of .850). He also ranks No. 5 in career scoring and needs 100 points to pass Lee for the top spot.

Forbath has made 41 of his last 44 attempts stretching back to late in the 2008 season and has made 37 consecutive kicks inside 50 yards.

1) Jon With the 17 commits that we currently have an names floating around everywhere on who could potentially commit could you see Coach Neu oversigning and asking players to greyshirt like many SEC schools do? If that is in fact the case who could you see greyshirting? - Dflinn
Yes, I think they'll ask at least a few. I've heard John Young and Eric Kendricks are likely candidates.

2) By the Pac-10 tourney, what do you see as the starting 5? Lee at PG still, or will Anderson play his way back in? And what about Honeycutt? - Matt A
Lee/Roll/HCutt/Drago/Nelson with Lane getting more and more minutes.

3) What do you project next year's line up as? - Matt A
If the recruits are healthy and as advertised, and I think it's been proved that is not a guarantee - Anderson/Lee/Hcutt/Nelson/Smith with Lane and Moser getting major minutes.

4) Jon, I told you that really was D. Riley last night. What are you hearing about Milton Knox transferring out...? Can we land Zumwalt, Riley, Uko and Owa....? Thanks. - Mr. Perez
Knox told me yesterday he wasn't going anywhere. Could be playing it close to the vest, but I believe him. CAN? - Zumwalt, Yes; Riley, Yes; Uko, No; Owa, Yes.

5) Is the monopoly over? - Anonymous
I'm pretty sure UCLA just bought Philadelphia and is working on a trade for North Carolina, and they already have hotels on Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana and three of the four railroads. USC has a big bank account and Park Place and Boardwalk, but they just landed on Indiana.

1) Jon you have really settled in and I really enjoy where this blog is headed. With the possible availability of some big time talent, do you think there will be pressure on some under performers already in the program to head elsewhere?? - Rico Bruin
Well, pressure might not be the right word. Certainly, if a top-flight class comes in, some of the older guys will get moved aside. Four eligible seniors for next year already "decided" to end their careers. Probably will happen again next year.

2) In basketball, does Howland appear frustrated about the team's defensive effort and/or hedging on screens (or lack thereof)? I'm sure he accepts that Dragovic is going to be a liability on D, but it seems like he is missing that one guy (previously Luc) that was able to mask his other teammates' deficiencies. - Jbruin
Great observation, and you're totally right. Tyler Honeycutt can become a defensive stopper, but he's young, coming off an injury and not there yet. And particularly on screens, when one guy is out of position, the domino effect starts, and pretty soon they're all out of position.

3) If you read D. Riley's facebook you can see a lot of comments on where his buddies think he should play. How big of a role do you think peers and classmates play in a players decision? -UCLAVES
It certainly makes an impact, but not as big as you think. It's all about getting in a position to have success at the next level - if Riley is confident he can be a playmaker at USC, he'll go. If he thinks he has a better shot at UCLA, he'll go.

4) Will this year's signing day be as exciting and surprising as last years? Or have we already seen the best we are going to get this year? - VB
What Neuheisel proved last year is that nothing is impossible. Literally nothing would shock me.

5) Will USC go 4-8 next year with their new coach? - VB
No, that's ridiculous. They'll go 0-12 and lose every game by 800 points. Come on, guys. That is still a talented team, and the staff they're putting together will be great, I'm sure. No worse than 9-4.

1) Is D. Riley just pulling our chain? Do you think he is really considering UCLA? I know he was in the chat, but everything I've been reading says he has been a USC fan since childhood...? - PasadenaBruin07
I think he really likes UCLA, but in the end, will choose a bigger program. Just my feeling.

2) Do you think Zumwalt backed off his UCLA lean in your interview with him because he is a soft verbal to Stanford and will be visiting there this weekend, thus avoiding an awkward situation? It looks to me like UCLA is such a fit for him and his family... - PasadenaBruin07
Yes.

3) What exactly goes on in an in-home visit? Is it done over a dinner, what is being discussed? How does this sways a recruit's decision. - Mom
Everything is discussed, sometimes they eat, sometimes they don't, sometimes the whole family is there, sometimes just one parent. It all sways a recruit's decision.

4) What is your (very) early prediction on the Pac-10 standing for the 2010 season in football? - Matt A
Oregon, Cal, Oregon State, USC, UCLA, Arizona, Washington, Stanford, Arizona State, Washington State.

5) My own biases aside, I have seen way too many seemingly one-sided affairs just like last Saturday. Do you think the officials in the Pac-10 are biased, incompetent, or a combination of both? - Dean
I think home teams always get the benefits on all courts in every conference in America.

Here are UCLA's official visits for this weekend:

Malcolm Jones

Jordon James

Sealii Epenesa

Ricky Heimuli

Anthony Barr

Eric Kendricks

Shaquille Richardson

Anthony Jefferson

Paul Richardson

Tevin McDonald

John Young

Wesley Flowers

Rykeem Yates

What did you think about the news?
"I didn't really believe it. He's kind of always told us that he's going to be at UCLA for a while. Kinda been confident in the fact he'd be with us and see it through. I didn't really believe it at first but ESPN has a tendency to make things sound very official. They made it sound that way at least. You can't always trust everything you hear."

How did things progress?
"For the most part, as Tuesday progressed, hour-by-hour, sports stations, news things, they all started backing away and backing off their earlier statements. As the night progressed and into Wednesday, I think guys weren't as concerned. There was still a possibility, but I saw everybody at school and we had breakfast as a team, and I feel like everyone wasn't as concerned. Everybody still had that lingering question, but we just had to wait it out."

How can recruits pick a school and not a coach to follow?
"I was talking about that - a lot of the reason I chose UCLA is because of the school. I grew up here. UCLA is where my dad went to school, but a lot of the reason also was Coach Neuheisel and Coach Chow. It's hard as a recruit to not like a coach and want to play for him. That's a lot of reason why a lot of recruits choose to play for a school. Changes happen very quickly - as you see with USC and their coaching situation - coaching is not a very set thing."

How do you feel about Chow's comments that he stayed because, 'It's an exciting time for UCLA football?
"We all feel the same way Coach Chow does. We're all very excited on the offensive side of the ball in terms of where we're headed, what we can accomplish. We haven't lost too many guys, but for the most part, our offense has stayed intact. It helps so much to have the experience. But it definitely gives us a boost of confidence that he wants to see this program progress."

When did you hear Norm Chow was staying at UCLA?
"I heard just today through coach Neuheisel. He made the statement that he got a call. We started our offseason lifting today and Coach Chow was down there. Kind of explained the whole deal, what had gone on."

When did you hear he might leave?
"The news broke Tuesday night and I was paying attention to the TV like I haven't before. Coach Chow was a big part of the reason why I chose to come to UCLA. It would have been a blow if he would've left. I'm really glad he still is here."

What did you learn from the situation?
"I don't know if I ever learned too much. I'm just really grateful. I've learned how much I value Coach Chow and what he brings to the table and taught me. I really would've have missed working with him."

Just talked to Xavier Grimble, the No. 1 tight end out of Bishop Gorman in Vegas, and he pretty much quieted any speculation about re-opening his recruitment.

What are your thoughts on USC and the news that Norm Chow is staying at UCLA?
"I'm still pretty solid. They're going to get a good offensive coordinator I'm sure. It would have been nice and everything, to have Norm Chow, but im pretty much committed to USC."

Are you still considering an official visit to UCLA this weekend?
"I don't really know, and my dad and I are going to talk about it right now."

At this point, is it more about another school having a chance to poach you, or you just kind of waiting to see what happens at USC?
"More its me about waiting for USC. Waiting for things to be secure."

Start reading at Norm Chow Opens Up, Pt. 1

I started cutting-and-pasting and forgot that the blog sorta goes backwards. Pt. 1 was the beginning.

How is your relationship with Lane Kiffin?
"He was a young coach, we both got to USC at the same time and I have great admiration. Our teams have played each other, we've spoken several times. There are no problems with Lane Kiffin."

Why did you call Rick Neuheisel when you did?
"That's the proper thing to do. Up until that time, I wasn't necessarily talking to Rick Neuheisel because it was someone else saying something. That's what you do. That's the ethical thing to do."

Did you talk to USC this morning?
"No."

Are you upset with the way it was handled?
"No, I don't live this way. All I know is it's an exciting time for UCLA football. I know it's coach-speak, but it's the truth."

Is that ultimately why you decided to stay?
Yes.

Why not go when reportedly being offered double your salary:
"I don't know that. It's not about the money. It's really not about the money. It's about the excitement we have here at UCLA. At my point in my career I think I'd like to give Rick a little bit of a hand in helping UCLA football."

Why not quash the situation sooner?
"How do I know I'm not interested? Why do I make a statement like that when I don't know? Something comes across the ticker I'm supposed to say something? Every time jumps out that Norm Chow is going to the NFL, I'm supposed to put a quash on it?"

Did possible sanctions coming for USC play a part?
"I don't know that. All I know is what I read. I don't know any sanctions. This has been going on for years now. That certainly wasn't a part of that thought process."

Is this your last job?
"I always felt like the job I had was my last job. I'm not a big move-around guy. Rick might decide he doesn't want us next fall. In this profession its hard to gauge that. I don't know that. I can't answer that. I'm excited about the future and we're still an awfully young football team. Hopefully we'll have a chance to enjoy those challenges."

Big money was said to have been thrown your way?
"That had never been part of the discussion, and I say that very sincerely. Whatever you heard, I probably heard as well. Nothing like that ever was a part of anything."

Were there any actual figures?
"I can't even say what those figures were. It's not always about the money. ...
Nothing happened. Nothing happened. There was some discussions being made, and the decision was to stay at UCLA. There was some talk. You sit quietly with your family and your wife, and you realize that this is the time to do it."

Did you speak to Mike Garrett first or hear his comments about his interest?
"No. I know Mike. I like Mike. I have a lot of respect. But I did not read his comments."

When did you first speak to Rick Neuheisel?
"When we were in Florida. I felt like I owed him a phone call."

When did you first hear from Lane?
"Lane called and left a message that he wanted to talk. I was in Florida, and we never had a chance to get back to him. There were some discussions between his people, he's an awfully busy man. It's going to present an extremely formidable challenge to us all."

Between you and him or your people and his people?
"I don't have people. My son as you know is a sports agent."

Who did you speak to?
"I did talk to Kevin Prince along the way. We have a big recruiting weekend, I talked to a couple I'm bringing in. Im sure we'll approach that subject this weekend."

How can it affect recruiting?
"Will it help with recruiting? I really don't think so - you come to UCLA because of UCLA, of Rick Neuheisel, not because of Norm Chow."

Were you upset with how this went down?
"No question. Somebody told me and I hadn't spoken to anyone. That was very, very unfair."

Why not comment sooner?
"There was really nothing to comment on. What was I going yo comment on? What was I going to say? This was the time to say it. I'm looking forward to life ahead. I certainly understand the challenges at UCLA - we were talking this morning about how young we are on offense - but there was nothing to say."

Is UCLA working on an extension?
"Rick and I have talked, but UCLA works a little different as a public institution. That's not the concern."

Did you consider the job?
"I don't know - it's always flattering, but there is a real world out here. I've certainly been around long enough to know this is happen."

Was there an offer?
"No. No. No."

What did you tell players?
"Whatever statements were made were certainly not attributed to me. I didn't make it. As far as the players and recruits are concern, nothing was told because nothing happened."

Opening statement:
"I'm awfully excited about what's going on here. I feel badly, I know there were requests for me to return calls, and it wasn't the time. After some consideration, we're awfully glad that we decided to stay."

When did Lane Kiffin make an attempt to call you?
"Lane made several attempts. We were out of town. It was kind of interesting because we had gone off to see some very dear friends in Marco Island, Fla., and it was a situation where the gal we were with wasn't feeling too hot. We spent some time in the hospital. Lane did try to call, and there were some calls made to my son."

Why consider the job?
"It's USC. Lane has always been - I've known him for a long time. You can't help, youre flattered when people call. In the end we realized where we wanted to be as a family, and we're awfully excited."

Did you make the decision over the last 24 hours?
"I don't tknow if it was 24 hours - there was some thought to it, sure."

Norm Chow will hold a conference call with reporters at 1:30 p.m. I will transcribe as I did yesterday for immediate reaction.

Looks like DeWayne Walker won't be joining Pete Carroll in the NFL, either:

Walker stays put

Norm Chow, perhaps the top offensive coordinator in college football, will continue in that role at UCLA, it was announced today.

"I appreciate the interest from USC and Lane Kiffin, but I feel we are building something special here at UCLA and I am excited about our future," said Chow, who has coached three Heisman Trophy winners during his illustrious career. "We have some outstanding young players in the program and we are working hard on finishing strong in recruiting."

"We are thrilled that Norm is going to continue as our offensive coordinator," said head coach Rick Neuheisel. "As Norm said, we are building something special at UCLA and he is certainly a very important part of the package. We have unfimished business here at UCLA and our coaches and players are very excited about our future. I'm glad Norm wants to finish what he's started. UCLA is a special place to call home."

You don't have to read this. I would appreciate it if you did.

Just a heads up: I have a funeral to attend tomorrow, and I will be posting when I can. I thought in the midst of such chaos, I owed it to you guys to keep you up to date.

The service is for my good friend Corey's grandfather, a decorated Marine, incredible father and grandfather, and someone who has kept up with my career since my very first story for the Thousand Oaks Acorn in 2000. Gino Mazza was a wonderful man, and he is missed greatly by all those who knew him.

With your blessing - well, without your blessing - I am going to post the story I wrote for the Daily News about Corey's decision to forgo a football career and enlist in the marines, partly to honor his grandfather.

Thanks guys for understanding,
Jon

Norm Chow's agent Don Yee has reportedly just told ESPN that Norm Chow is staying at UCLA.

I'll follow up as I can.

With nearly 100 comments on the Weekly Q&A post - 100?!? Doesn't ANYBODY have work?!? - I'm going to try to tackle it over the next few hours. I'll roll out the answers sporadically throughout the day.

This is from just about 20 minutes ago: Neuheisel to Patrick

After some consideration and after rereading Neuheisel's comments and thinking about this all night, the more and more I think about it, the more and more I think Chow stays.

If it was all about the money, I have to believe that USC would have just loaded up before the Kiffin press conference and tried to make a major splash - I can't stop thinking of Hulk Hogan going to the NWO back in the day.

Now, I'm sure if USC really throws a boatload of money at him, he'd more than consider it. This is the twilight of his career, he gives the impression that he will only coach a handful of years - he's 64, and just doesn't seem to me like the guy who coaches until he's 84 - and money certainly would sway him at least a little.

But at the end of the day, this is like a Shakespearean drama, with so many layers, and if it were ALL about the money, I have to believe he would have gone.

Neuheisel handled his phone presser with just the right mix of confidence and optimism - he even admitted that if they throw a blockbuster at him, he won't be mad, and I believe him - and as it stands, as of 10:23 p.m., unless we're talking MAJOR, MAJOR money, I think he stays.

UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel addressed the rumors of offensive coordinator Norm Chow's interest in the same position with USC on Wednesday night, saying that he had spoken to Chow around 4:30 p.m. and that Chow "assured me he wants to be at UCLA."

Neuheisel said that reports of Chow's imminent departure to USC to become a part of new head coach Lane Kiffin's first staff were premature, but he added that if the Trojans and athletic director Mike Garrett were to offer a "blockbuster" deal to Chow, he would not be angry if he took it.

"The profession is one where you certainly want a commitment," Neuheisel said on a conference call with reporters. "You want people who want to be there. I think Coach Chow feels that about UCLA. I don't think it, it's exhibited. That being said, no one would ever be angry at somebody that if they got a blockbuster deal and felt like they couldn't turn it down. All I know is what Norm Chow told me, that he is committed to UCLA."

On speaking with players about the coaching situation:
"A couple of the quarterbacks came in and they were curious as to what was going on. I said Norm Chow has told me he wanted to be here. I'm assuming he will be. If not, there will be somebody else who comes in who will be highly qualifed. That's just the nature of the beast. One thing about the profession is coaches are replaceable."

On a possible list of replacements:
"When you're in this situation as a head coach you always kind of have a list in the back of your mind. Things happen."

On learning of USC's possible interest in Chow:
"The first I heard of it was on the media, I think it was Shelley Smith. I was disappointed, but I think at some level there was some irresponsible reporting going on as well. When I got a chance to talk to Norm, he said that they had not talked."

On having the situation sorted out before the recruiting weekend:
"I'm hopeful that it can be behind us certainly before then. Regardless, kids are going to know that UCLA football is something to be excited about."

On what this adds to the rivalry:
"You're right, there was no passion on that field this last year. That's what we needed to do was throw a match on this thing. It's a great rivalry. One that's exciting for both sides."

On possibly extending Chow's contract:
"There are all sorts of things going on with negotiations. What's important is that Norm is saying he wants to be at UCLA."

On possibly extending Chow's contract, Pt. 2:
"Obviously there can be movement in that regard. That's for the people who sign the checks and make those decisions. With respect for me, I want to know that my assistant coaches want to be here."

"We want to welcome Coach Kiffin to LA. Obviously the landscape has changed. That will create some great competitive situations in the future. We've competed with Coach Kiffin's teams before and look forward to doing more in the future. We're excited about where the recruiting is. With the landscape changing, there will be a lot of work to be done."

On Coach Chow moving to USC:
"Obviously there's been lots of talk about Coach Chow and his situation. I talked to Norm as he was en route back from the east coast. He assured me he wants to be at UCLA."

On Coach Chow, Part 2:
"The profession is one where you certainly want a commitment. You want people who want to be there. I think Coach Chow feels that about UCLA. I don't think it, it's exhibited. That being said, no one would ever be angry at somebody that if they got a blockbuster deal and felt like they couldn't turn it down. All I know is what Norm Chow told me, that he is committed to UCLA."

On what he's told Coach Chow:
"I've told him that it's important that he share that with the important people, which are our recruits. He assured me he'd get on the phone and get that done."

On the speed of the decision:
"Coach Chow knows enough about college football and the signing period to know this is a critical time. Hopefully it will not play out much longer. But I want to honor his opportunity to make a living, do the best he possibly can for himself. I also have a program that's sacred and deserves a commitment."

On Coach Chow talking to USC:
"Coach Chow has not said that. His reps have said that. Coach Chow has said he wants to be at UCLA."

On when he spoke to Norm Chow:
"Two hours ago."

On the money being thrown around:
"That would be speculative, there's numbers being thrown out there that are certainly large."

BREAKING: Chow assures Neuheisel he wants to be at UCLA. We'll wait and see how it all plays out.

Rick Neuheisel phone press conference has now been moved to 6:30 p.m. "out of respect."

I'm told Neuheisel phone press conference will still be on for 6 p.m.

There IS a conference call tonight with Rick Neuheisel scheduled for 6 p.m.

Just got off the phone with a USC official, who said that ESPN's report on Mike Garrett's confirmation of USC's interest in Norm Chow was accurate.
Meanwhile, Kiffin press conference starts in 23 minutes.

From UCLA:

"Sophomore reserve center J'mison Morgan sustained a partially torn (second degree strain) quadriceps in his right leg yesterday (Jan. 12, 2010) in practice. He is slated to be out for 2-3 weeks and will miss the Bruins three-game homestand, which begins this Saturday (Jan. 16, 2010) with USC. Tip-off is slated for 4:37 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion."

Chris Ward on Norm Chow:"There's no worries. If he does leave, I still have the best people there to make me stay. He wasn't a main factor in my recruiting. It would be a big plus to have him. But it won't change my mind at all."

I have just been emphatically told by a UCLA official that former Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach would NOT be under consideration for a position at UCLA should the need arise. Should being the operative word.

* I've spoken to several people and 1000 different theories are being floated. Calls to Chow and Neuheisel have not been answered, nor have texts. No one has heard directly from either in hours.

* The last word I got is that USC has given up on having anything about Chow at the press conference later today.

* At this point, if the numbers are true - anywhere from a million to a million-five - UCLA can't and downright shouldn't match the offer. $1.5 million for a college offensive coordinator, whose two UCLA offenses have finished 111th and 88th in the country? Come on.

* Here's my deal: Chow has a year left on his contract. A guy in Chow's shoes deserves more job security. Chris Peterson's name gets brought up at SC? More job security. Del Rio? More job security. Harbaugh? More job security. If this all ends up with Chow getting a raise and some more security, I think he stays.

Where does that leave us now? Well, as of 11:48, Norm Chow is UCLA's offensive coordinator. By 12:48, he could be USC's. It all depends on the offers.

An attentive blog reader brought this to my attention, but we are currently in a recruiting dead period from Jan. 11-14.

Coaches are only allowed to have contact with recruits who have been admitted for mid-year enrollment.

New USC coach Ed Orgeron reportedly told Tennessee mid-year enrollees, who were supposed to start school today, to not go to class and that there would be scholarships waiting for them at USC. It has been reported here: Orgeron story

If Orgeron is acting for USC, as it certainly appears he is, where does that leave them?

UCLA-bound center Josh Smith returns to high school hoops:

Smith returns for Kentwood after long absence

Just got off the phone with UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince, who is following the Norm Chow situation with all the rest of us.

Me: What are you hearing?KP: "I've heard just about the same stuff you guys have. I haven't been in touch with Coach Chow. I talked to him yesterday just about recruiting stuff. As of yesterday, he was firmly committed on UCLA. I haven't tried to talk to him today."

Me: How did you hear about the news?KP: "On ESPN I saw a bunch of stuff that went from him being the offensive coordinator to him being in negotiations to him being considered for it. Obviously if he goes we'll have to move on and figure out how to be successful otherwise."

Me: How difficult is it to be a player in the 24-hour news cycle, with information coming in throughout the day?
"It's really disconcerting only because so much has happened in the last few days. First Pete Carroll, then Lane Kiffin gets the job, then you hear coach Chow would be going. You wouldn't believe it otherwise. It's a little disconcerting, but at the same time, it's reports and nothing is made official. You can't really believe what's been said until its been confirmed."

Me: How are the players reacting? Are you trying to come together as a team like USC did after Carroll left, or is it different because it's not the head coach?
KP: "We're just kinda holding down here and making sure everyone is good. It's a little different for those guys at SC because it's the head coach and it's so unexpeceted and that was their guy. With us, Coach Chow is our guy and even if he did go, I feel that we do have a sense of stability with Coach Neuheisel here. On the offensive side of the ball, the best guys would have to step forward and say just because he's not here, we're not going anywhere. It does empower you a little bit."

* As of 9:13 pacific time, Norm Chow is the offensive coordinator for UCLA.

* USC is throwing piles of money at him to come join Kiffin's crew.

* He has not accepted anything, and reports he had were premature.

* My choice of words for the headline earlier was incorrect. For that I apologize. In this 24-hour news cycle, when I hear the same thing from multiple sources, and none from others, I try to keep up with it.

* At this stage, the best way to put it: USC is wooing him. Negotiations might not even be the right term, either.

* I'll stay on top of it, but I'm also doing instant updates on Twitter (@thecoolsub) and on Facebook, where I'm also chatting with blog readers. Feel free to add me or add the Inside UCLA fan page.

Thanks guys
Jon

A UCLA spokesman said he spoke with Norm Chow's representative and he has not accepted a position elsewhere.

After hearing from multiple sources that Norm Chow was negotiating with USC, I am now hearing that he is going to stay at UCLA. I'm getting this from people very, very close to the UCLA situation.
I have not heard from anyone at UCLA about the matter on the record, and you'll be the first to know when I do.

Reeves Nelson and Tyler Honeycutt are learning all about the college life.
Not just about hectic class schedules and 40-pound history books, but about life in college basketball, as well.

The two UCLA freshmen have been thrust into the starting lineup - Honeycutt getting his first starting gig against Cal last Wednesday - and head coach Ben Howland has had to do some teaching on the fly, particularly on the glass.

Both skilled, athletic jumpers, Nelson and Honeycutt lead the team at 5.8 rebounds per game, despite essentially having to learn how to box out for the first time.

"You'd be surprised at some of the fundamentals that are not habits coming out of high school," Howland said. "Blocking out is one of them. Tyler is a very good rebounder - he goes and gets it with two hands, he's quick to the ball - but there are also times where he is getting blocked out and he can be even a better rebounder."

Multiple sources have confirmed Norm Chow is negotiating a contract to leave UCLA to become the offensive coordinator for USC.

The Pac-10 has been on one heck of a roller coaster since conference play began two weeks ago. Each Pac-10 team owns at least one conference win - the earliest time this has happened since expansion in 1978-79 - and preseason favorite Washington has limped to a 1-3 start in conference play.

For measure: Not one Pac-10 team received a single vote in the latest AP poll.

"You look at our conference right now, and it's really clear that anybody can beat anybody on a given day," Howland said. "It's just as hard to predict the bottom two teams as who's going to be the top two teams. It's going to be a long, hard-fought conference schedule."

* My first reaction is one of pure shock. Isn't this a guy with several violations to his name in one-plus year at Tennessee? Now he's going to a school with sanctions about to come down? Shocked.

* Forget Kiffin, his staff at SC could be incredible. I'm hearing he'll bring Ed Orgeron and Monte Kiffin along for the ride. That is one hell of a staff to start.

* Orgeron is a monster recruiter and Tennessee's class was already lining up to be a good one. This does not necesarrily undermind UCLA's recruiting efforts, but USC fans should consider themselves lucky. A Jack Del Rio or Steve Mariucci (?!?) does not translate like Kiffin does.

* I think this will seal the deal for Deitrich Riley to USC, as he already was considering Tennesee, and I don't expect many from the Trojans' class to jump ship.

* While the coaching change is a big one, ultimately, I don't think UCLA's recruiting will get a major jump from it. Rather than follow Carroll with a no-personality dud, USC went with Kiffin - questionable as he may be - and that is better for the Trojans than an retread trying to get back in the game.

From a comment on Scott's InsideSocal.com/USC blog, on Lane Kiffin being named USC head coach:

arealrascal said:
Vomit. Needles in my eyes. The hot chick I made out with last night turned out to be a guy.
That's my frame of mind right about now.

Check this out, guys.

Guess it's official.

Kiffin to USC

From Ted Miller:

The Pac-10 bowl season didn't go well, but that doesn't mean you don't make an all-bowl team.

You may notice a lot of USC and UCLA players. You might remember that the LA schools posted the conference's only two wins.

OFFENSE

QB Matt Barkley, USC: Barkley completed 27 of 37 throws for 350 yards with two touchdowns against Boston College in the Emerald Bowl. He also had two interceptions.

RB Toby Gerhart, Stanford: Against an Oklahoma defense ganging up on him, he rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries in a Sun Bowl loss.

RB Stanley Havili, USC: He only rushed for 2 yards, but he also he caught six passes for 83 yards with two touchdowns.

WR Damian Williams, USC: He caught 12 passes for a season-high 189 yards.

WR Damola Adeniji, Oregon State: He caught seven passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in the Beavers' Las Vegas Bowl loss to BYU.

TE Anthony Miller, California: He led Cal with five receptions for 55 yards in the Poinsettia Bowl loss to Utah.

OL Chris Marinelli, Stanford: The offense was without its starting quarterback, but Gerhart gained 133 yards and the Sooners only had one sack.

OL Mike Tepper, California: Cal's pass protection wasn't great against Utah, but running back Shane Vereen finished with 122 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

OL Charles Brown, USC: The Trojans didn't run terribly well vs. Boston College, but they only yielded one sack and gave Barkley plenty of time to throw.

OL Jake Dean, UCLA: He was thrust into the starting lineup after starting center after Kai Maiava was ruled academically ineligible, and the Bruins yielded only one sack vs. Temple.

OL Chase Beeler, Stanford: See Marinelli.

K Kai Forbath, UCLA: He kicked field goals of 40 and 42 yards.
DEFENSE

DE Kenny Rowe, Oregon: He set a Rose Bowl and Oregon bowl record with three sacks in a losing effort against Ohio State.

DT Jurrell Casey, USC: Casey had five tackles, a sack and a 22-yard return of a fumble.

DT Brian Price, UCLA: Price started slowly vs. Temple but he dominated the second half and finished with five tackles, with one coming for a loss.

DE Tyson Alualu, California: Alualu had five tackles, with 1.5 coming for a loss.

LB Akeem Ayers, UCLA: Ayers led the Bruins with nine tackles, two for a loss, and his leaping interception at the Temple 2-yard line, which he returned for a TD, was the play of the Pac-10 bowl season.

LB Kyle Bosworth, UCLA: He finished with seven tackles and 1.5 sacks.
LB Eddie Young, California: Young had seven tackles and returned an interception 31 yards for a TD.

CB Shareece Wright, USC: In his first game back after academic ineligibility, Wright grabbed a key interception.

CB Alterraun Verner, UCLA: Verner had seven tackles, two for a loss, and a pass breakup.

S Rahim Moore, UCLA: Moore had four tackles and an interception.
S Taylor Mays, USC: Mays had five tackles for a Trojans defense that shut down Boston College in the second half.

P David Green, Stanford: He averaged 44 yards on six punts, three of which were downed inside the Sooners' 20-yard line.

You've got questions...
I've got answers...

Fire away, and if there are enough questions by tomorrow, you'll get the dish sooner than later. There are a few left over from last week that I'll get to, also.

Thanks guys
JG

Spoke briefly with Huntington Beach Edison linebacker Jordan Zumwalt, the No. 20 OLB, and he's cautiously interested in UCLA.

He's still a soft verbal commit to Stanford, but it's down to those two schools, and after Zumwalt's visit this weekend to Stanford, he'll decide.

Got a little behind today trying to get a hold of a million people, but I still want to get this chat on.

6 p.m., with a special little recruiting tidbit for those who tune in. If not, you'll have to wait until 7.

Mater Dei offensive lineman Chris Ward didn't have much to say about his official visit to UCLA.

He's already said everything there is to say about the Bruins.

The No. 5 guard in the country has been a verbal commit to UCLA since October, and used his official visit to just grow closer with some in the incoming class.

"It went awesome,"Ward said (and click here for Scout profile). "Definitely made me firm up my decision. It was really cool going to Coach Neuheisel's house with the parents and the recruits - it kind of shows how cool Coach Neu is. He's kind of like family. I approached it as it was a time for meeting the other guys. I already knew it was the place for me."

Just heard from a very reliable source that USC is seriously looking at Jack Del Rio as it's head coach with former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta as his defensive coordinator.
The source heard this from Tenuta himself.

UCLA women's volleyball coach Andy Banachowski, the winningest Division I women's volleyball coach in history, today announced that he will retire on June 30.

"I am grateful to UCLA for allowing me to be the head coach of the women's volleyball team for all these years," said Banachowski. "I have always realized that there would come a time for this wonderful journey called coaching to come to an end, and I have decided to retire when my contract expires at the end of this school year."

It didn't take Rick Neuheisel long to make an impression on one USC commit.
Bishop Gorman (Nev.) tight end Xavier Grimble, the number one tight end prospect in the country, loves the approach the UCLA head coach is taking with him, on a personal level.
But he's not ready to jump ship just yet.

"I wouldn't go as far as saying they're my favorite, but they're a strong consideration," Grimble said after school ended today. "They're close to home, they're an up-and-coming team and my relationship with Rick Neuheisel is really good. He wants me not just as a player but as a person, and I really feel that from him. When it comes down to everything - I need to wait and see what goes on and talk with my family - they're definitely going to be in the decision."

and I'll have the story at 2:30.

Finally got on the horn with Carson OL Wade Yandall, who verbally committed to UCLA over the weekend during his official visit.

The No. 54 guard in the country (click here for his Scout.com profile), Yandall is an athletic big man who has played football just two years and only started lifting recently.

Yandall gives UCLA three offensive line commits as the Bruins continue to shore up a unit that was much improved in 2009 but still has a way to go.

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Pete Carroll might want DeWayne Walker to be his defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.

That would be a huge plus for UCLA, as a Walker hire at USC would be massive for the Trojans. Out of all the possible USC candidates - from Del Rio to Edwards, from Chris Peterson to Jim Harbaugh - Walker should scare Bruin fans the most. He has incredible recruiting ties in Southern California and is highly respected in the high school coaching community.

I've been told Stanley Hasiak is at UCLA with his status still unknown. He is taking classes as the situation gets sorted out.

Huff breaks it down after the jump, a honest look at the recruiting implications with Pete Carroll gone across town. His last tidbit: If USC does lose much of its coaching staff, UCLA is in good position for 2011 locals. Hayes Pullard as a Bruin could lead to DeAnthony Thomas as a Bruin.

There will be a story later today with this Huff Stuff.

Dietrich Riley seems to like UCLA

Not sure what all this means yet. A quick look at the photo comments is quite...revealing...

Will pursue further in the morning.

I just heard from a source that Stanley Hasiak was back at UCLA. I'm not sure his status yet, but I've been told he's back, after meeting with Rick Neuheisel. Try to follow up in the morning.

Hey guys,

Thanks for your patience today as I drove back from the Bay Area. I know it was a crazy day, and I'm sorry I didn't have the access as normal.

That said...tomorrow will be huge. I have some big conversations lined up and I'll be delivering throughout the day. I'll even try to reach Uko's coach for Spedjones. No promises, man.

How about a midday chat to go over Pete Carroll's departure and the ramifications for UCLA recruiting?

Also, I got a phone call from Norm Chow, and he basically has no comment at the moment - his exact words: "I got nothing to comment on. Whatever is whatever. Obviously it's causing quite a stir, but what else are you gonna say?"

I'm sure he will entertain any intriguing offers that might come, but in the end, I expect him to stay.

Thanks guys
Jon

Jon Gold just called from the road (he's driving back from the Bay Area) and said he has had some spotty internet access, which has kept him from posting on the blog today.

He promised he'll have plenty of updates as soon as he gets back.

Thanks for your patience,
Gene Warnick
Sports editor

By Jon Gold
Staff Writer

Just as the UCLA men's basketball team appears to be climbing over the mountain this season, the pole slips, the compass goes haywire and the goggles fog up.

The chugging Bruins again sputtered out on Saturday at Stanford's Maples Pavilion, parlaying a last-minute, buzzer-beating win at Cal on Wednesday into a 70-59 loss to the Cardinal in front of 6,946.

Just as they have appeared to be turning the corner this season, the Bruins have found a way to shoot themselves in the foot.

A bigger surprise: They didn't drop the gun.

The Bruins committed 23 turnovers in a frenzied flurry of bad handles and worse passing, Stanford willing to just wait and let UCLA gaffe its way into the loss column.
After a James Keefe 3-pointer brought the Bruins to within one at 51-50 with 9 minutes, 16 seconds remaining, UCLA proceeded to give the ball away four times in its next seven possessions.

"At the end of the day, 23 turnovers is what kills us," UCLA head coach Ben Howland said. "Just way too many turnovers. We're down 51-50 and we're on a fast break and we turn it over because we're out of control. I don't know how many of those 23 errors are forced, but I'd say a lot of them are our mistakes."

An off-balance, one-legged 3-point attempt by Stanford's Jeremy Green drained in off the backboard to give the Cardinal a 1-point lead at halftime over UCLA.

The Stanford guard has 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting while the rest of the Cardinal are 6-of-24 for 17 points. Last season, Green did not play in the first matchup and went 0-for-2 with one rebound in 11 minutes against UCLA.

Michael Roll leads UCLA with 10 points and the Bruins - who started the game 2-for-7 with eight turnovers in their first 15 possessions - went on to shoot 13-of-23 for the half.

1) Would you consider defense to still be the strength of the football team next season, or will the young and growing offense have to carry the team for us to be competitive? - PowderBlueBalls
No, I think it will be much more balanced. More individual playmakers defensively - I truly think Ayers and Moore duke it out for Pac-10 defensive POY - but more consistent offensively.

2) Do recruits read this page? - Anonymous
I really hope not. Nothing to gain. Someone insinuated that my posts could somehow affect a kid's decision. Let me tell you now: If a kid is swayed by something I!?!?!? write, he has sorely misjudged me.

3) Jon, I was wondering if you think that Howland is seriously considering starting Malcolm Lee at the point, instead of Jerime Anderson? And, do you think that would take some pressure off him? - Spencer
I love the move. In Howland's offense, JA can't do what he does best - penetrate. Maybe he can, but he also know he has a short leash. A starting point guard needs to be efficient at the coach's system - stick a steady shooting point guard, and he thrives. Lee at point guard, for whatever he lacks in handles and passing, is not a bigger drop than JA to Honeycutt. Instant rebounding, instant passing, instant zone defense athleticism. A no-brainer.

4) Can you share your thoughts on why UCLA was so quick to offer Lazeric Jones? Any insider knowledge? - Spencer
I think they're getting more and more doubtful about McCallum or Ziegler.

5) What is the most likely lineup for the offensive line next year? - anonymousWithout factoring in Kia, Hasiak or the incoming freshmen, I think: Baca/Taylor/Maiava/Williams/Harris, with Abele pushing for a starting gig. I'd also be curious to see if Nate Chandler can bulk up and play left tackle.

1) Would you project Kia as a starter on next year's O-Line? - sandiegobruinfanToo early to tell. Definitely in the rotation.

2) If Prince beats out Brehaut for the starting job in this spring's practice, would Brehaut consider transferring? - sandiegobruinfan
I'm sure he would consider it.

3) Are you a UCLA basketball curse?- anonymous
Yes. Yes, I am.

4) Have you considered making the questions section a once-a-month thing? How many times can you answer "do you expect any commitments this weekend" questions? Totally unrelated, will Shirley commit this weekend? - spedjones
About as many times as I can answer, "Have you called Uko's coach yet?" Oh crap, I should probably go call Uko's coach. While difficult and ultimately fruitless, based on how quickly things change in the recruiting world, the Q&A has become an integral part of the blog. I hope to keep it that way. From what I've heard, UCLA and Shirley cooled on each other, as UCLA got major interest from other linebackers.

5) How were Capella and Able playing by the end of the year? Are they viable options for next year on OL? Is there a chance of seeing Able on D-line as that was his preference coming in? - Resource Guy
I think Abele will get a strong look next year to start. Capella, maybe the year after.

Just got word that UCLA is adding two more official visits this weekend:

Dietrich Riley

Brett Nottingham

They are joining...

Erick Dargan

Kody Innes

Marquis Jackson

Ryan Murphy

Fred Thompson

Chris Ward

Wade Yandall

Jordan Zumwalt

A week ago, UCLA followed a crucial Pac-10 season-opening win over Arizona State with a dud against Arizona, a classic letdown game to most but anything but to head coach Ben Howland.

After a stunning, buzzer-beating 76-75 win at Cal on Wednesday, UCLA is wary of another letdown at Stanford today at 3 p.m.
Again, perhaps letdown is not the right word.

"It wasn't as much a letdown as much as we didn't play well," Howland said, matter-of-factly. "I thought Arizona took it right at us and played pretty well. You can't just say it was us having a letdown; I think Arizona forced some of our poor play."

The Cardinal will attempt to do the same.
The good news for UCLA? They had an extra day to prepare.

1) Jon - what do the football players now do during the offseason besides strength and conditioning? Can they practice schemes with their coaches? Playbook refinement? - RXBruin
They can't practice at all with coaches, but believe me, they dive into the playbook. Forget the conditioning - that matters more.

2) OK Jon, I have read people say on some Bruin sites that Ben Howland's time should come to an end because of what has happened this season. I think 1 bad season after 3 straight great seasons should not make or break a coach. I know that UCLA basketball is supposed to contend for championships every year but do you agree that, once in a while, a team might have a few down years to rebuild? Sorry for the long question. - Mbruck
To even suggest Howland should be fired is a complete joke. Simple as that. A joke.

3) What are the chances of landing DT Fred Thompson? Also, his teammate Ryan Murphy is visiting as well, any news on him? He's listed at 6'2 205lb and runs a 4.42, that's impressive. - Anonymous
Thompson is definitely on UCLA's radar, and would be an important get for them, especially to make inroads into Oakland, which has some solid football talent.

4) Do you expect any commitments this weekend? - anonymous
Maybe one.

5) Do you expect to see Coach Neuheisel do more to integrate his "speed" guys into next year's offense? I'm thinking specifically of Randall Carroll and Thigpen. Our offense this year sorely lacked for gamebreaking speed. - Andy (San Francisco)
Yes, and I think he started to use Thigpen more in the bowl game. That kids a talent. Once Carroll shores up his route-running and gets the playbook nailed down, I expect him to shine.

A note: I will post on the USC coaching situation as it relates to UCLA. I understand it is a hot topic for Bruin fans. I will try to stay on top of it.
Obviously, as it relates to recruiting if Carroll does, in fact, leave USC, I'll look out for it.

On Stanford:
"They'll play both a 3-2 zone as well as man-to-man. They showed that against USC, they showed that against Cal. They're very sound fundamentally - man to man they'll run a number of different sets."

On Mike Roll:
"He really has grown to be a consistent outside shooter. He's a smart player, an outstanding passer. He made a big pass late in the game hitting Reeves Nelson on the cut, just by slowing it down."

Some have grumbled about Fred Thompson cancelling his official visit, but I've just been told that is not true.
Thompson has been climbing up the recruiting charts recently, and he has offers from several Pac-10 schools.
Here's his profile: Thompson

1) What's your take on Deonte Burton? How talented do you think he is? Where do you think UCLA is on recruiting him? (how far along in the process are they) - Spencer
With the major talent UCLA is courting, I don't think they're pushing for Burton too hard. They haven't offered him, and I expect them to be in limbo until they find out about Ray McCallum and Trey Zeigler.

2) Will UCLA ever be a consistent top 15 football school or is that asking too much in todays college football environment? - NickIt's asking too much to be a consistent top school. I hate to harp on the admissions factors, but they are a burden for the team, and particularly because the Pac-10 talent seems to go in waves. USC will remain a force whether Pete Carroll leaves or stays. Oregon will always threaten for talent. Same with Cal and OSU. Stanford will flare up once every decade or so. With all those schools hunting for similar players, and UCLA still unable to put a few top-15 seasons in a row, I guess I just have to see it first.

3) In a chat you mentioned that if fans knew half of what went on in college football they would no longer be fans. What did you mean? Meaning most assume some kind of cheating like paying/gifts. Did you mean that or Cheating as in dropping games/other illegal activity? (Asking since I doubt fans would drop their team if they knew they were giving players benefits; look at all the teams that are busted yet still have huge support). - NEXUS ONE
No, I wasn't referring to that at all. In fact, as long as players are cheated by the system and woefully undercompensated, I'm not as harsh as other writers in that regard. What I meant was that some of these heroes of yours have incredible personal flaws, and just because they perform well for a 3-hour period on a Saturday afternoon does not give them a free pass.

4) Follow up to previous question. Would you consider writing a book when you are ready to retire about what you see/saw? Just interesting that so many people know what is going on yet say nothing. (Yes I know all teams are guilty, just curious for inside info) - NEXUS ONE
My biggest career ambition is to be an author, and yes, I would love to write about covering college football.

5) Update on Maka please. - UCLAVES
Last I heard, he's a go and just finishing things up.

So after re-reading my scrambled deadline story from UCLA's win over Cal on Wednesday night, I thought I'd let you in on how it sorta works.

So throughout the game, I'm writing my story for deadline, and because of the Daily News' position with the Los Angeles News Group, it is necessary for me to turn in a story essentially at the buzzer, minus fresh quotes.

In a game like Wednesday's - up, down, up, down, Roll, huh?, wow, go - it is especially difficult. I basically had a first-half story written, a second-half story tacked on top, and four sentences about the ending. The game ended on a miracle; that I had my story in eight minutes later was probably more of one.

After interviewing players and coaches, I turn in a second story, which in a tight deadline, typically goes online only, unless there's a way to get it in the print version. Needless to say, there's quite a difference in quality...

Take a look at the comparison:

First edition, bad

Second edition, good. Well, better. OK, fine. Meh.

After hearing about Oaks Christian's Cassius Marsh in last night's game chat and reading all about his possible UCLA interest on multiple message boards, I went to the source.
Me: Hey Cash, are you still considering UCLA now?
Him: "Nope."

That should end the speculation.

UCLA head coach Ben Howland, after the Bruins' 76-75 overtime win over Cal on Wednedsay...

On Michael Roll's last shot: "Honestly, at the end of the game on the last play, we were lucky. The bounce when our way."

On Haas Pavilion: "It's a great shooting gym. But it's not a great shooting gym from the foul line; only from three."

On the win:
"I'm just really happy for our players. I thought Honeycutt's play on the boards was really big for us today. He did a great job for us there."

On Cal's top players:
"I think they both (Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher) are outstanding NBA prospects. The guy who really killed us today was (Theo) Robertson. Robertson was fantastic. He's always played well against us. He seems to have our number."

Just some random observations from the game:

* Whatever UCLA loses in terms of scoring and ball control with Malcolm Lee running the point - and Lee was not himself, taking only seven shots and making one, while scoring just six points - the team needs Tyler Honeycutt in the starting lineup. Honeycutt had 10 boards, including four offensive, and while he showed some awful rookie mistakes, his size and athleticism is just too valuable.

* HOWEVER, despite a few ill-advised passes, Jerime Anderson needs to be lauded for his performance against the Bears. Playing 29 minutes off the bench, Anderson was a scoring threat, chipping in a very important 11 points. He had two huge 3-pointers and helped calm the offense down at times.

* I think this is the game that really teaches Howland that he needs the zone defense, if not to disrupt the other team on offense, but to save UCLA's offensive legs. Michael Roll said a great quote that rings true: "Also, we played zone, and that kind of helped us with the wind-factor. It gives a chance to get back and set up, not as much commotion."

* While free-throw shooting remains a concern - and a big one, with just 57.7 percent for the game - you have to applaud UCLA for hitting 5-of-7 in overtime. Malcolm Lee had four free throws in overtime despite awful cramps.

Montgomery:
"It's really disappointing. Sometimes I don't understand how we cannot treat a UCLA game as a big, big game in terms of coming out full of fire. We didn't seem to have that."

Ben Howland said after the game that he would stick with Tyler Honeycutt in the starting lineup and Jerime Anderson off the bench.
Honeycutt played well, with 10 rebounds in 29 minutes, including four offensive boards, but Anderson also showed a spark off the bench that intrigued Howland, as he added 11 points and four rebounds.

Earnest Thomas, the No. 37 safety in the country according to Scout.com, has reportedly decommitted from UCLA.
Thomas, out of St. Mary Prep in Orchard Park, Mich., apparently wants to stay closer to home.

Here's his recruiting profile: Thomas

Brian Price says he's hearing he'll be a first-round NFL draft pick. Asked where he expects to go, Price said: ``Of course I want to be a first-rounder. I'm going to train like I'm a first-rounder. At the end of the day, we'll see.''

Brian Price said he's made the right decision to enter the NFL draft.
``I've got that feeling,'' he said. ``I think I'm ready.''

``It's been a very difficult decision to make, but I've decided to forgo my senior season at UCLA,'' Brian Price said. ``I'd like to thank coach Rick Neuheisel for giving me the opportunity to play. ... I won't squander the opportunity like (Neuheisel) always talks to me about.''

Brian Price just announced at a press conference at UCLA that he's skipping his senior season and entering the NFL draft. It wasn't surprising at all, but nonetheless, he made it official. He's not taking classes this winter quarter and will work out in preparation for the NFL draft.

After Saturday's 77-63 loss to Arizona, Michael Roll said he was not so much shocked by the drastic one-game turnaround - UCLA shot 83 percent from the field in the first half against Arizona State on Thursday and 21 percent in the first half against the Wildcats - as he was disappointed.

After reviewing the game film, he was singing the same tune.
"To come in and shoot 80-plus percent - obviously we didn't think we were going to shoot as poorly as we did - but no way were we going to match what we did on Thursday," Roll said. "It was very unfortunate, but I feel like we were just missing. It was just one of those days."

Jerime Anderson said that he was hampered after tweaking his old groin injury late last week, but that it wasn't serious. However, the injury - which sidelined him early in preseason camp - has been nagging him lately, and it's starting to take its toll.

"It's really frustrating - there are a lot of good guards in the Pac-10 who I'd like to guard, like to take that challenge," Anderson said. "Right now, it is a little difficult. But I really don't have any excuses out there. When I step out on the floor, I'm there to play."

On Tyler Honeycutt:
"Athletically he has a hard time staying in front of the ball right now. His big challenge is going to be defensively, staying in front of the guy he's guarding. He's built so high - he's two-thirds legs and one-third upper body. He really has to get low in his stance to guard people."

On what Honeycutt adds:
"The one thing he adds to our team is the ability to rebounder. Tyler is a good rebounder. Per minutes played, he has to be first or second on the team."

UCLA head coach Ben Howland told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that starting sophomore point guard Jerime Anderson would be benched for tonight's game at Cal after showing up late to a scheduled injury rehab session for his left groin.

Freshman forward Tyler Honeycutt will move into the starting lineup - his first start of the season - and sophomore guard Malcolm Lee will move from shooting guard to point guard.

The addition of Honeycutt brings an instant size increase and should help on the boards, as the 6-foot-7 Sylmar High product has a knack for grabbing errant rebounds. However, Howland harps on Honeycutt's defensive shortcomings, as he still catches up after missing much of the summer, fall and early season with back and shin injuries.

"Athletically he has a hard time staying in front of the ball right now," Howland said of Honeycutt. "His big challenge is going to be defensively, staying in front of the guy he's guarding. He's built so high - he's two-thirds legs and one-third upper body. He really has to get low in his stance to guard people."

On taking responsibility:
"I've made mistakes, and ultimately I'm responsible for where we are right now. The key for us to dig our way back out is for us to really play hard and play good defense - zone or man, whatever the scheme is. Really try to be tough."

On Jerime Anderson:
"He was sore after the ASU game, to the point where he didn't even do the walk-through. Our trainer had been icing and icing it. Then on Saturday he was able to play, and had some soreness afterward. But it's kind of wait and see."

UCLA head coach Ben Howland told reporters that Tyler Honeycutt would start his first game tomorrow night against Cal, with Jerime Anderson moved to the bench for being late to a rehab session on Sunday.
Malcolm Lee will slide to the point guard spot, while Honeycutt will still provide perimeter defense.
Honeycutt adds instant size and rebounding, though Lee will have to adjust to playing the point, as he's averaging nearly two turnovers a game.
""The one thing he adds to our team is the ability to rebounder," Howland said. "Tyler is a good rebounder. Per minutes played, he has to be first or second on the team."

On what killed UCLA against Arizona:
"It was just really poor shot selection. I've watched the games three times, four times, and we really did a poor job. But then they really out-toughed us. They hurt us on the glass in the first half with the 10 offensive rebounds. You look at our rebounding numbers right now and they're really, really subpar from what I'd like to have."

On UCLA's defense:
"We have some limitations this year defensively because of athleticism. We're just not as athletic as we've been. When you're having to take those long slides to recover - from how I typically like to do which is hard hedge - it's been the biggest problem. Being able to tweak our defense to fit our personnel better."

Hey guys,

Sorry for the Inside UCLA podcast absence the last few weeks. First, I was out of town. Then, Ben was gone. Now I'm going up north for UCLA's Bay Area swing. We'll be back with an extra-long podcast next week, hopefully up on Monday or Tuesday.

Thanks for the patience,
Jon

You've got questions...
I've got answers...

Fire away, and if there are enough questions by tomorrow, you'll get the dish sooner than later. There are a few left over from last week that I'll get to, also.

Thanks guys
JG

Just got word that the following players are taking their official visits to UCLA this weekend:

Erick Dargan

Kody Innes

Marquis Jackson

Ryan Murphy

Fred Thompson

Chris Ward

Wade Yandall

Jordan Zumwalt

First and foremost, the changes in schedule were all for exposure purposes, and they're, in a word, stunning.

UCLA picks up a MAJOR ABC game with Texas and two big ESPN gigs, including a crucial Thursday night matchup with Oregon. Then there's the Friday, day-after-Thanksgiving game. These are the kinds of moves that take teams from also-rans to major players. Even if UCLA loses these games, the visibility rises.

Also, however UCLA picks up an extra bye week and a headstart on the Pac-10 schedule, with an early game against Stanford. Getting another game to prepare for Texas will help as well, and the Bruins could go into the Texas matchup at 2-1, and 3-0 isn't a major leap.

Just a major move for the UCLA program.

UCLA's football schedule has been drastically rearranged, as the Bruins get a huge jump in television exposure.

The biggest game on the non-conference schedule, the date at Texas, has been moved from Sept. 18 to Sept. 25, and will now be shown on ABC.

After leading UCLA with 15 points in its 77-63 loss to Arizona on Saturday, Malcolm Lee was anything but happy.

Lee's points came off porous 5-for-13 shooting, and his five turnovers also led the team. The sophomore guard was frustrated early as the Wildcats man-to-man defense stifled the perimeter, and he finally started to gain some momentum in the second half, albeit too late.

"I wasn't trying to be a little over-aggressive, I was just trying to take the game over," Lee said. "The time was getting hectic, and I just tried to put matters in my own hand. That sped me up, a couple of bad turnovers. "

Particularly worrisome because the game came after a superb performance just a few days earlier against Arizona State, the loss to Arizona left shockwaves. In just two days, a less-than-impressive Wildcats squad figured out how to stop the Bruins by hedging and trailing screens.

After Lee figured this out, he wished he just attacked the basket earlier.

From Scout.com's coverage of the Army Bowl:

"Malcolm Jones had maybe some of the most shining moments. He showed some good cutting ability and got to the secondary on one run, which was probably the most impressive run of the morning practice session."

1) Do you think Malcolm Lee will bolt for the NBA after this season? - wc116
No.
2) What is our two-deep at d-tackle looking like next year? This includes committed recruits right now. - Ryan
Nothing is at all settled besides David Carter. I can't even wager a guess at this point.

3) That said, when does the recruiting dead period end and do we have any good recruits lined up? - solomonbruinThe dead period ended Sunday and the coaches are back at it. UCLA is hoping to get 4-5 more big commits. Some are closer than others.

4) In a previous Q&A, you said CRN's fourth year ('11) would be the first year to fairly assess whether his approach will reap dividends. Many schools give coaches only 3 to 5 years to produce. How can CRN best work with a potentially small window? - Tim Warren
Neuheisel already made strides toward that future goal by tabbing Kevin Prince as the team's QB of the future. I believe he'll live or die with that decision. If Prince is progressed to the point that the staff expects him to be, then UCLA will be fine, and as such, Neuheisel. If Prince does not improve drastically, the team will follow. To a lesser extent, playing guys such as Sheldon Price, Randall Carroll and Morrell Presley before they're ready to be major playmakers, was a move toward the future.

5) How actively does Neuheisal recruit offensive linemen from the midwest (like Big 12 and Big 10 country). Do you think the o-linemen out there have any interest in UCLA? - Anonymous
To some extent, UCLA is aggressive: Of its 10 offers to offensive linemen, six are out-of-state (Henderson - Minn.; James - Geo.; Innes - Ariz.; Rowland - Ariz.; Wilson - Flor.; Williams - Flor.)
That's a good sign nationally, but you're right, UCLA needs to branch out to the Midwest, particularly for beefy linemen.

1) During the recruiting process, Howland must have known than Gordon was "fiery" or "emotional," while Gordon must have known that Howland was no-nonsense and controlling. What made them think it would work, and why did it go so wrong? - Blue Bruin
Neither side is completely honest in the recruiting game. It's a game - usually one person wins and one person loses. Very rarely is it 100 percent beneficial for both sides. In this case, they both lost.

2) I'll stipulate that rankings aren't everything, but Lazeric Jones is a one star recruit. What should we realistically expect from him? - Blue Bruin
And yet he's also considered the top junior college point guard by many. I looks like a pretty good passer and on-ball defender, and he said that's his biggest goal to improve last season. If anything, he provides important depth next year.

3) Does Norm Chow stay next year? If not, does he back to SC? - Anonymous
He's said he's staying. That's all I know.

4) With the big o-line recruits we got last year, do you think there was any sense of complacency in regards to recruiting o-linemen this year? Any chance Hasiak comes back next year? - Bruin818
There are conflicting reports out of the Hasiak situation, with some saying he has to meet certain stipulations and some saying he is out of chances. That'll play out soon. I don't think there's complacency, but they looked at other positions as more important.

5) With next year's schedule and state of the Pac-10, do you foresee the football team to do any better than 7-6? - Anonymous
I've said 7-6 for months. More talent, tougher schedule.

1) When will that huge commit make it public? - Bruinword
With the dead period ending today, UCLA will get right back in his ear and could seal the deal pretty soon, if things continue on track.

2) Who do you think UCLA ends up with at DT? - Bruinword
I think the Bruins will get one more they want.

3) What will happen next year? Will Eddie Williams or someone else be moved over to the defensive side of the ball. DT is a huge question mark for us next year. Thanks - Bruinword
They are exploring some options, but I think it will take until at least Signing Day to iron it out. They're hoping they get someone who can step in immediately.

4) Jon is there a chance with XSF leaving that RNC and Palcic go after Eric Kohler from Oaks or another west coast OL we haven't heard about before? - Anonymous
I wouldn't be surprised if they put out some feelers, but I've heard Kohler is basically a lock. With XSF gone and Hasiak in the balance, they're certainly on the lookout.

5) Also can you tell us about the D.Lineman out of Oakland were starting to hear about. - anonymous
Can't tell you much; UCLA got in late in the game and they're trying to get as many impact DTs as possible. He's getting a look from many West coast schools, though Oregon hasn't offered. He seems like a fringe Pac-10 prospect at the moment.
http://ucla.scout.com/a.z?s=12&p=8&c=1&nid=4617723

Check this out, UCLA fans...

Ban

I don't know how this will affect UCLA particularly, however, there are some recruiting restrictions - including losing a scholarship - that will certainly hurt the Trojans.

UCLA fans, breathe a sigh of relief: Though the Bruins still have to tangle with Shane Vereen, at least they won't have to see Jahvid Best again.

The Cal junior running back declared for the NFL on Saturday, and here's the ESPN write-up:

Best

As hot as UCLA shot in the first half of its 72-70 win over Arizona State on Thursday, hitting 83 percent from the field and 80 percent from behind the 3-point line, the Bruins discovered how the other half lives on Saturday morning at Pauley Pavilion against Arizona.
Apparently, the other half lives in a desolate wasteland of sorrow, no sun creeping through the clouds, dreary, bleak, cold.

UCLA slept through the first half of a 77-63 loss to the Wildcats, only awakening to take off-balance shots, hitting just 5-of-24 from the field for 20.8 percent.

Sophomore guard Malcolm Lee blamed it on the 10 a.m. start: "We weren't prepared."
Head coach Ben Howland blamed it on shot selection: "We were so sped up that it really hurt us."

Senior forward Nikola Dragovic didn't know what to blame: "It was shocking. I thought we were open."
They were not.

A sluggish Bruin squad forgot to set the alarm this morning, as they trail Arizona by 15 at the half.
UCLA is shooting 20 percent from the field, after making 15-of-18 in the first half against Arizona State. If the Wildcats could shoot at all either - they're making just 42 percent from the field - then this would be much, much worse.

A day after turning his personal history on its head and employing a 2-3 zone defense in a 72-70 win over Arizona State on Thursday, UCLA head coach Ben Howland reiterated that it was not part of a grand conspiracy or a wholesale change in his basketball strategy.

But UCLA fans are happy to know that the Bruins have added it to their repertoire, as they prepare for today's 10 a.m. matchup with head coach Sean Miller's struggling Arizona Wildcats.

"We may use it again," Howland said during a conference call with reporters on Friday. "We may use it (today). But I honestly had no plans to use the zone going into the game. I did see the first 15 minutes of our game, and the zone definitely helped us and against certain teams we'll use it again."

UCLA senior forward Nikola Dragovic credited the extra time he's been able to put in the gym during the winter break for spurring his recent hot streak, as he has increased his scoring average by nearly two points per game over the last three games.

After scoring just 63 points in UCLA's first eight games - with a low point coming on an 0-for-9, zero-point performance against Mississippi State in a 72-54 loss on Dec. 12 - Dragovic has averaged 17 points per game in the team's three-game winning streak.

He also said, though, that his off-the-court distractions are now fully past him and he's been able to concentrate on basketball.

"It felt like old times," Dragovic said of his 23-point outburst against Arizona State. "It felt good, (like) last year, the Pac-10. These past two years I had problems in the same area of the year. But (it's) the new year, everything settled down and I have it out of my mind."

Fans clamoring for more of Tyler Honeycutt on Thursday night were missing a key bit of information: Howland told the media on Friday that Honeycutt was sick and was limited in his minutes; he played just 11 against Arizona State, after 27 minutes against Delaware State on Dec. 27.

He made his presence known in the zone defense, though, and had a beautiful assist to a cutting Reeves Nelson for an easy bucket during the Bruins' run.

"He had a little bit of a flu yesterday, and he still has a little bit of that today," Howland said. "He missed the entire summer and a few weeks of practice, (but) he's doing a good job."

Playing his first game since dislocating his shoulder against New Mexico State, UCLA senior forward James Keefe contributed 12 minutes, missing his only shot attempt but picking up two blocks and two rebounds.

"He's limited by how many minutes he can play and how many in a row he can play," Howland said. "It was good to have him back. He had no problems, he was good today."

The Albuquerque Journal is reporting that former UCLA forward Drew Gordon, who left the program in early December, has decided to transfer to New Mexico and coach Steve Alford.
Gordon, who has recently declined all media requests, picked the Lobos over San Diego State, Nevada and Notre Dame.
The Bruins were 2-4 when Gordon left and 4-3 since, including a 72-70 win in their Pac-10 opener over Arizona State on Thursday.