Check out the first batch of new answers after the jump…
1) Hey gold, I think that recruits came to ucla basketball early in howland’s tenure and were attracted b/c howland came from pitt and seemed to be building a good program. But, don’t you think that the act has now worn off and recruits just don’t want to play in an offense with no innovation and for a guy with no charisma? secondly, do you think howland is really going to be the long-term solution? thanks in advance – DisgruntledI think anyone who is jumping to conclusions based on one season is an absolute joke. This season has been the perfect storm of bad luck, and in some cases, bad foresight. If Tyler Honeycutt isn’t injured all summer and then to start the season, this team has a few less losses. If Jerime Anderson develops the way he should have and was projected to, this is a different team. If Howland is pulling in the No. 3 or No. 4 center and the no. 8-10 shooting guard, all of a sudden guys don’t want to play for him?
2) To build on the previous question, if rick neuheisal doesn’t win more than 7 games this year and 9 games, as you’ve predicted, in 2011, will the same thing happen to him that seems to be happening to howland? in other words, will recruits and the fan base put the heat on him if he keeps promising great things but just displays complete mediocrity? – BruinjeffyAll I know is UCLA fans will put heat on anybody. Howland could’ve won three straight final fours and they would be calling for his head this season. And I still don’t understand how nine wins isn’t enough in 2011.
3) Who is a better writer, you or Wolf? – AnonymousDifferent.
4) Why does the media when talking about recruiting in the Pac-10 only mention teams such as Cal,Sc,Oregon and Stanford and no mention of Ucla? The last time I checked we have out recruited everyone but Sc. – Anonymous
I’m a little confused: UCLA was lauded as one of the biggest surprises of signing day and had a consensus top-10 class? What more do you want?
5) What is your take (and be honest now) on how Howland got out-coached and his team got out-played against USC? To lose BOTH games and the City Championship to a team that lost its three best players, plus its heralded group of incoming recruits, is just plain embarrassing. Both schools lost players off last year’s team to the NBA, yet Howland hasn’t seemed to make the proper adjustments regarding use of his personnel this year. Shouldn’t Dan Guerrero be worried? The difference in speed, agility and ability was obvious out there Sunday night. – Just WonderingI’m not going to sugarcoat it – the loss to USC was a big one, considering the dire need for a win. I wouldn’t go as far as saying Howland was out-coached, but his guard rotation at times was puzzling, and while I’ve been a season-long defender of Jerime Anderson, I think it’s pretty clear he’s in over his head right now. I would not have put him in at the end of the game.