March 2010 Archives
On what Pro Day means to him:
"Business, man, this will make-or-break you. Today was the day I've been waiting for since I was a baby, a little kid, especially since I've been here at UCLA. It was an important day."
On his performance:
I had my ups-and-downs. I thought I started off pretty good. Probably should've finished a little better. You take it for what it was. You lose some, you win some. It's really about how mentally tough you are. So I had a cool day, it wasn't great. Hopefully I'll be given another opportunity to show what I can do. Good thing is there's always time to improve. I'm still young."
Continue reading Quotables: Reggie Carter.
On Pro Day:
"It's a job interview, that's how you have to approach it. The only two things I control are my attitude and effort. I came out here with a good attitude and I'm willing to give a 100 percent effort. That's what I did, so the sky is the limit."
On his performance at the NFL Combine:
"I thought I did well. I could've done better if I wasn't a little banged up. But everything happens for a reason, and God blessed me to go out there. I mean, I don't have a serious injury, so things are great. I have to get better, get in better shape and get after it. I felt good about today and everybody else did, too."
On what he needs to improve:
"I have everything to improve on. I'm not perfect. Everything. Every part of my game needs improvement because I'm not the best...yet."
Continue reading Quotables: Brian Price.
On finding a go-to receiver:
"I don't feel like it's that important. I feel like we've got enough guy to where we don't need a go-to-guy. With Taylor (Embree) and Nelson (Rosario) and now Josh Smith in the mix and Morrell Presley stepping up and Cory Harkey, all those guys, I don't feel like there's going to be a need for that go-to guy, which is good, because that makes the defense have to respect everybody that's on the field. With everybody more experienced now and the weapons we have, I don't feel like there's going to be a need to have the No. 1 target."
On his offseason training:
"Coach Linn has kind of a goal weight for us, and for me it was 230 pounds. In the first two weeks of the offseason I got up to 230 and I've maintained that. I ran a 4.53 in the 40, and I can't remember my shuttle time. I think it was in the high 4.3's area. I think I was at 215 toward the end of last season. After the jaw, I tried to get back up to 215. I feel like we all made big gains (this offseason); I feel stronger, a lot healthier. I couple times a week I went in with Anthony Venute and Dale Rudd and those guys and just did rehab with the shoulder and that's feeling good. I threw four days this week and I don't feel any soreness in my shoulder. I think it's the little games like that that will help us."
Continue reading Quotables: Kevin Prince, Pt. 2.
Why are you so optimistic going into spring ball?
UCLA safety Rahim Moore: "We have more hard-workers now, a lot of guys who've got a chip on their shoulder. A lot of guys are hungrier. That's a good thing. Everybody is hungry for wins. Our strength and conditioning coaches have done a good job as far as getting us ready and getting us stronger. I have a lot of expectations for the team this year and I can't wait for spring ball to kick off."
Coach Neuheisel said the goal for this season was eight or more wins...
Moore: "Nah, not enough. Ten is enough. Twelve is the ultimate goal; that's everybody's goal. That's the main goal."
How important is the continuity going into Year 3 of the Neuheisel Era?
"Our camaraderie is a lot better; we've all been in the program for two, three years now. For a lot of us, this is our second big spring. Now we've seen the system, we've been through the practices, we know the pace and everything. We know the goals we want to accomplish."
On the general feeling going into spring ball:
"We're real excited, just by the mere fact of how well the offseason went. We finished strong last year with that bowl win. I think that set us off on a good note into the offseason, kinda carried over and showed. Everyone was coming out working, getting faster and stronger. We just had a meeting yesterday with Coach Neuheisel, and he said it's time. It's no longer time for people to hope that we get up to the upper echelon of the Pac-10, it's the time they expect that we're supposed to be up there. This spring ball is going to be big for us to get a head start on the season, get the offseason going, we're going to do a couple new things there. It's time that when people expect it, we fulfill these expectations."
On the expectations, in terms of number of wins:
"It's nice to pick a number to shoot for, but it's always tough to do that. Last year, when people asked that question, we kinda dodged it. We said, make a bowl. And obviously we've gotta make a bowl this year. But for me, I don't know how many wins it's going to take, but I want to be competing for that Pac-10 championship spot. However many wins that takes, that's what I want to compete for."
Continue reading Quotables: Kevin Prince.
From UCLA:
LOS ANGELES - Senior right-hander Garett Claypool (3-0) recorded nine strikeouts in 6.2 innings, and three Bruin relievers combined to throw 2.1 hitless frames, leading the No. 6 UCLA baseball team past Pepperdine, 2-1, on Tuesday evening at Steele Field at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The victory pushed UCLA's historic season-opening win streak to 21 games.
Claypool limited the visiting Waves (8-15) to one unearned run and two hits in extending UCLA's record to 21-0. Right-hander Dan Klein notched his team-leading fifth save, striking out the side in order in the top of the ninth.
Continue reading UCLA baseball up to 21-0.
UCLA sophomore center J'mison "Bobo" Morgan was dismissed from the program on Tuesday, head coach Ben Howland announced.
Morgan was rumored to have been looking to transfer, but Howland preempted the move with this decision, which comes on the heels of a disappointing season for Morgan.
A highly touted recruit out of Dallas, Morgan had difficulty finding court time despite little post depth for the Bruins. Morgan averaged 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per game for UCLA, which finished 14-18 and out of the postseason for the first time since 2003-04.
"It's just there's a point in time where you have to move forward, and I just felt it was in our best interest in the program, as well as for him," Howland said during a conference call with reporters. "He's leaving here in good standing academically, and he'll be better for the experience here, not only as a player but as a person."
Morgan came to UCLA as part of a quintet of "future superstars," alongside guards Jrue Holiday, Jerime Anderson and Malcolm Lee and forward Drew Gordon. Labeled the top recruiting class in the nation by many, the group has been a disappointment, and now only Lee and Anderson remain. Gordon transferred six games into the season to New Mexico and Holiday entered the NBA Draft after his freshman season and was selected with the 14th pick for the Philadelphia 76ers, for whom he now averages 7.7 points in 23 minutes per game.
Continue reading Tumultuous Tuesday.
There was the expected: Brian Price, projected as a first-round pick in April's NFL Draft.
There was the unexpected: Ben Olson, a year removed from his college football career, more than 800 days removed from his last college pass.
UCLA's Pro Day had it all on Tuesday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion and Spaulding Field.
Wide receiver Terrence Austin, second on the UCLA list in career all-purpose yardage, doing the 40-yard dash.
Tight end Ryan Moya sprinting from side-to-side in the shuttle run.
Linebacker Kyle Bosworth doing rep after rep on the bench press.
And in the middle of it, Price, who drew approximately 45-50 scouts and is projected as a first-round pick.
Price did not perform in many drills after already completing several at the NFL Combine, but he was certainly the prime cut of this meat market. He was officially measured and participated in individual position drills, forgoing the testing phase.
"It's a job interview, that's how you have to approach it," Price said. "The only two things I control are my attitude and effort. I came out here with a good attitude and willing to give a 100-percent effort. That's what I did, so the sky is the limit."
Continue reading The Meat Market.
What was the goal out there today?
Former UCLA running back Chane Moline: "The goal is to come out and look good running, put up some numbers and keep the dream going. Hopefully you get picked up by a team and get to keep extending your career. I've been playing football since I was nine, ten, so I just want to keep playing."
What were you most focused on?
Moline: "I focused a lot on bench press, but everything really. The 40 I focused on a lot. I just came out here to look good, look fluid, look like a football player. Like a good athlete. I have a lot of good film to show, a lot of experience. So I just wanted to come out here and look good running when they could see me in person."
Continue reading Chane Moline ON: Pro Day.
Do you see the excitement bubbling from the players affecting the older coaches? Is it almost a trickle-up effect?
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "Bob and Norm, and I don't mean old-school because of their age, but they're from a school of thought that is prove it. Prove it to me. They're not going to overload their backsides with their mouths. That's not who they are. I'm from a slightly different place. You have to picture it, you have to talk about the finished product, so that everyone knows where we're going. Relentlessly positive, it's an action. It's not just that the glass is half full. I want to make the glass be half full. I'm going to force it. If I have to go find the water, I'm going to. We're going to find a way. We think about it all the time, and we have to do that. Now there's a bunch of kids from this class who think everything's wonderful. They don't know why, but they think everything's wonderful. There's a balance to all of it. All of us want good things to happen, but you need people who say there's no such thing as a good day, people who are going to extract the energy and demand and never say it was good enough so that you keep getting there. Then you need the people who are pressing and making you dream with your feet on the ground. Here's the action that's going to get us the dream we all have. I mean, you talk to my recruits, and every one of them would say we're going to the Rose Bowl. There would be no question in their mind that we're going to the Rose Bowl. They would say this year. But I want them with that optimism, that pie-in-the-eye, lets-go-get-it-done attitude, devil-may-care."
Just got a text from UCLA center signee Josh Smith that guard Ray McCallum is close to committing to the Bruins, though nothing is certain.
Smith told me he was working on McCallum at the McDonald's All-American Game.
There seems to be a buzz of excitement around the recruits of the program...
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "I recruit these kids like they're already in my locker room. I talk to them like, 'Here's what we're going to do guys.' I don't just talk about what it's like to walk Bruin Walk. I want them to know what the plan is, what the vision is. 'Here's where you fit into that vision. Here's why it's so important that you come. You'd be missing out if you didn't.' Then the connection they get with one another because of all these outlets like all-star games and trips - it becomes a huge selling point. "
Continue reading Feeling the buzz.
On the dismissal of J'mison Morgan:
"It had been I decided it was in the best interset of both our program and for him that he transfer. He's in good academic standing, he'll have two years of eligibility left. He'll probably transfer back somewhere closer to home."
On Donny Daniels leaving for Gonzaga as the Zags' top assistant coach:
"Donny Daniels is going to be leaving effective immediately to go to Gonzaga as an assistant for Mark Few. He'll be in tomorrow - he had three wisdom teeth pulled - and he did a terrific job for me and this program for seven years. He was really a key impetus for all the success we've enjoyed. He'll be going to another outstanding program with a very good tradition and history. It's where I started my coaching career 29 years ago."
Are you looking to get a veteran staff guy?
"I'm not even worrying about that until our recruiting is done this year. There won't be a look at staff until late in the month."
With Bobo leaving, opens up another scholarship. How many do you want to use?
"I'd like to use all our scholarships up. That gives us three at least."
Continue reading Howland ON:.
Hey guys,
I'm here out at Pro Day, and there have been some solid performances. Nick Ekbatani put up 42 reps on the bench press, fullback Trevor Theriot put up 34 and Reggie Carter followed with 31.
Here are some unofficial 40 times (the better of two attempts):
Terrence Austin: 4.48
Korey Bosworth: 4.65
Kyle Bosworth: 4.58
Reggie Carter: 4.78
Kevin Craft: 4.76 (only saw one attempt)
Nick Ekbatani: 5.34 (only saw one attempt)
Chane Moline: 4.68
Ryan Moya: 4.65
Logan Paulsen: 4.91
Jerzy Siewierski: 5.16 (only saw one)
Trevor Theriot: 4.81
Also, my Inside UCLA podcast cohost Ben Olson is out throwing today, and was at UNLV's pro day last weekend throwing. He's generating some buzz among scouts in attendance.
UCLA sophomore forward J'mison Bobo Morgan will not be returning to UCLA next season, head coach Ben Howland announced today.
Morgan will leave UCLA immediately and has not made a decision where he'll transfer, though Baylor could be in the mix.
Morgan averaged 2.1 points and 1.1 rebounds in 40 career games while shooting 46 percent from the field.
"I feel that is is in the best interest of this program and for J'mison Morgan that he no longer be a part of this team," Howland said in a release. "We are suppotive of him and his future in whatever direction he decides to go.
Howland will hold a teleconference at 2:30.
The criticism last year of the offense was about the creativity; are they being bottled up? Can that even happen though? Is it possible to fit the middle in before edges are done?
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "You know what, no one is more critical of our offense than we are. I accept all criticism. No problem. The numbers are what they are. When you're eighth or ninth or 10th in the Pac-10 in offense, that's not good enough. We're like car mechanics - we're always going to tinker. But you also have to always ask, what can you execute. It isn't what we know, it's what our players know.
When you're dealing with an inexperienced offensive line - a freshman left tackle, a brand-new junior college player inside, Kai Maiava playing his first year at center, Mike Harris playing in his second year - there was no one with more than two years of experience. Johnathan Franklin, freshman. Kevin Prince, freshman. Nobody at wide receiver with the exception of Austin with more than two years in the program. What can we really do and execute? One thing we couldn't do was turn the ball over. We learned that in our first year, and our turnover ratio was better last year, gave us a chance to win.
You go back to the games we were unsuccessful...an interception against USC cost us the game - it was 0-0 at halftime and you have to play that field-position game. You can't turn it over. The Cal interception, when we were going to make it 38-33 and they take it in for six. The turnovers are the hugest thing we can keep for ourselves. The Oregon game, first play of the second half, there it is.
We aren't good enough to beat that. There will be a day when we're explosive and we've got it all going and we're good enough up front and we'll be able to weather those storms. But we're not there yet."
Where is this offensive line compared to when you started at UCLA?
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "Light-years ahead - remember I just gave you seven or eight names, and all but one has played. Greg Capella, Nik Abele and Wade Yandall are really the only ones who haven't played in games. When we got here, there were only nine guys total, and only two had plays. We're moving in the right direction. Another year from now, with Chris Ward, Yandall and Innes all having played, and then bring back X and another recruiting class - now you're going to look how you should look. For whatever reason, it just has not been fertile in California for offensive linemen. Not for the specs we've looked for."
Continue reading No longer an offensive offensive line.
How far along is Kevin Prince? What do you expect or hope from him?
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "He's had a fantastic offseason physically. I hope his injury issues are behind him. But there's a moment in every quarterback's life where you stop running plays and you start figuring out ways to win. If he hasn't had that epiphany yet, he's close to it. That is what's going to be exciting. When he figures out how to go win, how to beat them. Beating a coverage, beating a DB, beating a scheme. When you figure out how to do that - manage down and distance, know how to take clock, know without having to always be told - and you're not just thinking about what step I take. Now, you have to figure out how to win. That's when he'll be exciting."
Who's his left tackle?"Right now, Nik Abele will line up at left tackle, and we're excited about him. Micah Kia will be available in the fall. We have to develop some depth. We have Mike Harris and Sean Sheller at right tackle, and Jeff Baca has the ability to play tackle when we need to. Brett Downey will get a lot of looks at tackle in the spring, Wade Yandall will be here for the spring and will try him at some tackle. Stanley inside along with Eddie (Williams), Ryan Taylor, who've all had playing experience. Then Kai Maiava at center with Taylor working in there, and a freshman, Kody Innes, lining up some, too. We've got some different ways to go."
How do you get those close games to tip your way? If Oregon doesn't score three touchdowns in about 12 seconds, you...
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas. It's about being good enough. Being good enough to get it done. No more excuses as to why we didn't. There's no youth excuse, there's no any excuse. We have to find a way to get it done."
What is the next step for Kevin Prince?
"I think accuracy will be a huge thing. There were a number of balls he was unbelievable impressive on and a number that should've been completed. That's a normal progression for a young quarterback. When there's so much to think about, the ball's gone so fast and you're just trying to stay on schedule."
Injury updates on Reggie Stokes, Micah Kia and Darius Savage?
"None of those guys will participate in spring practice. Micah Kia will be out there in uniform and go out in non-contact drills. He had suffered the ACL injury in August, so it'll be a full year and a full recovery by then. We won't risk anything by spring ball. Savage and Stokes are in situations where they're on the mend, and we'll see where they are when August comes around."
Talk about having perhaps the best kicking game in the country returning:
"That should be hugely comforting. But as coaches will do, we find other things to worry about. But you're right, we have two of the finest kickers in the country. For both to be coming back and all the machinery returning, including holder and snapper, those are all huge comforts."
How are Josh Smith and Kai Maiava doing academically?
"Josh had a great quarter academically. There's no problems with Josh. He still has a few things this spring to make sure he meets his demands. I think he can do it. He's proven he can do it. I know this close to the finish line he won't let down. Kai I think has learned a valuable lesson. I know it was hugely embarrassing to him to miss the bowl game, and he's made it a personal vow to never let that happen again. I know he had a good quarter last quarter as well, and I think it's full-steam ahead."
Continue reading Neuheisel ON: Pt. 3.
Talk about the guys returning with extensive experience?
"There's a number of guys who have proven themselves and we're fortunate they're back. On defense, you point to Rahim Moore who has 13 interceptions in two seasons. Akeem Ayers has made countless big plays. Those two guys will be at the forefront of what we do defensively. David Carter has to pick up where he left off. Datone Jones has to do a great job up front. Those guys are going to help bring along guys with less experience so we can play our typical UCLA defense. Prince, Rosario, Embree have all made a lot of plays. Cory Harkey, even though he's going into his second spring here, he has a lot of experience. Four-fifths of our offensive line is coming back. There is experience. But I think we are in a place in our development where we have to let our fur fly. We've got to see who can do exactly what needs to be done."
In your third spring ball, does your approach change?
"The approach and structure are the same. It's the intensity. That's not to say we weren't intense in the first two springs. There was a lot of teaching going on, a lot of explanation. Not that we won't teach and explain, but we have to really find time for legitimate playing. Who can play this game at the intensity this conference demands?"
Continue reading Neuheisel ON: Pt. 2.
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel took his first conference call with reporters today, a few days before the start of spring football.
Did I have to pull over at a Dairy Queen to make sure I got on the call during my drive back from the Bay Area? Yes, yes I did. Did I get a Blizzard? No, no I did not...unfortunately.
Continue reading Neuheisel ON: Welcome back....
Does what's happened at other schools off the field make you worried for your program?
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "I always think when you're dealing with 18-to-22-year-old kids, you're going to be susceptible to poor decision-making. The best we can do as educators, coaches, teachers, is to give them all the pertinent information. Give them the skills and tools to make good decisions and have a disciplinary framework in place that they understand when they don't make good decisions, what happens."
(More on the subject after the jump)
Continue reading Keeping Tabs.
What does 'an improved program' mean to you?
"UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: We have to get more wins. We have to win more than we did last year. Eight or more."
Is that your goal, or the program's goal? Do you need that, or does everyone around you need that?
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "Well, I haven't been told I'd be fired if we didn't win eight. But I want to keep the momentum going. The momentum of this program is tangible. By winning seven, by getting to a postseason game and winning it, we were an attractive entity to recruits, and it parlayed itself into a top class. Kids that in years past wouldn't have even considered UCLA, came to UCLA. Not just considered UCLA, but came. We have to keep that rolling. If we go to the postseason again and win again and show improvement so you can look at the graph and it still looks like it's climbing, that's tangible evidence that this thing is going in a positive direction. That's why I say eight. We have to win eight. I'll be crushed if we don't win eight. How do you win eight? You win every one you line up. It's no different formula. It's not like I'm saying, 'OK, here are the four I want to lose.' That's not what I'm doing. It's just that I want all signs to point that this thing is going where I said it would go. We can do that, if we get all hands on deck, because there is nothing given to us in this schedule. Nothing. Nothing. There is nothing out there where you can write down and say, 'OK, we've got that one.' That's not the way it is. And that's not true of most colleges. Most colleges can tell you right now they've got some wins scheduled in there. The argument will go on forever and ever which is the better way to go about it, and I can argue both sides. But it doesn't matter. This is what we have - now let's go make it work."
How important is it to have returning guys in key positions with extensive experience? Guys like Taylor Embree, Jeff Baca, Rahim Moore, Nelson...
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "All that should be advantageous. All of that should be. We're at a place now where, Day 1 of spring ball this year as opposed to Day 1 two years ago is going to be light-years ahead. But what does that mean? Will we be better on Saturdays in fall? Able to help a defense that now has to go through some growing pains? That's what remains to be seen given the schedule we have. We have arguably one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country, and we all know we have the toughest conference schedule in the country. All of that remains to be seen. But, I would be disappointed if we aren't an improved program in year three over year two."
Forget the young players for a moment; how are the established guys handling their offseason and their roles?
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "I think all of them are on schedule. It's difficult to know where they are until we play again. You can look at their productivity in the weight room and say, 'They're engaged, they're working.' I mean, we don't have a guy in the program who was climbing the ladder and was on schedule, or even ahead of schedule, and is now turned and is going south. We don't have that, 'What's wrong with him?' Whether they'll take the next incremental leap as players, a lot of that now is how much time will they spend to really become an expert at their position? Because we can't spend with time with them talking ball until spring starts, we don't know. We'll have to watch and see. Are you really making this more than just something you do well? Is this going to be something that you really are craving to know everything there is to know about? Those are the special players. They say about the NFL, it's a league of overachievers. It's kind of strange-sounding because it always seemed like it was just the best athletes. And certainly it has a ton of great athletes. But the ones that stay around for a long time are the ones who make this the most important thing. They're going to know everything there is to know. How many experts are there in this profession? That's where you hope guys will gravitate towards, and that's what my coaches have to do, create an eagerness to always want to know more."
Speaking of strength and conditioning, how has the off-season been?
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel: "It's every bit as important as your offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator. Now Mike Linn will read that and say, 'Where's my bump in pay?' But in terms of the amount of time and the amount of energy expended and the importance of these kids having the physical tools to be capable of playing successfully on Saturdays, it's huge. And by rule, he gets more time with them than any other one of us. It's a hugely, hugely important position, and he's done a fabulous job."
Compare where the program is at right now to other points in your career at Colorado and at Washington.
Rick Neuheisel: "Both of the other jobs I was fortunate to have, Colorado and Washington, were further along. The cupboard was more full. Both had strength and conditioning programs that were farther along. Both had quarterback situations that were in better shape. To get things going quickly, you gotta have that triggerman. Both had offensive line situations that were much more healthy. Because of that, you have chances to be more successful when you're looking at wins and losses.
This situation is the best situation, because we've got to fix it without the feeling that the world's going to end if it's not done right away. We have seen improvement, and I think the sky is the limit here, as opposed to capping out at some of the places where we already were. I won 10 games each of my first two situations in Colorado. It was a heavy heart to do better. Even though they won a national championship a couple years before, they needed five downs to do it. We were pretty much on all cylinders. Washington, we got to 11-1 and then went back the next two years and won eight and seven games. I thought we had a chance to go back up, yeah, but this place I think has a real upside. One that can be fun for years and years and years."
An old editor of mine used to say that when he got the job, he was just trying to put the puzzle together. First you pour the pieces on the table. Next step, flip them right side up. Then the corners. Then the edges, and the middle. Each step was crucial. What step are you at?
Rick Neuheisel: "We've got the edges. We've got the edges. But different than that puzzle, is that things are splintering off all the time. You can feel like you've got pieces in place, and then all of a sudden your left tackle goes on his mission, Carnell Lake wants to be with his family...as unexpected as it is, it's expected. You have to continually be re-working the puzzle. It doesn't ever end. Those magical years where it looks like it's completed, you just enjoy those, because pretty soon it's going to splinter again. Brian Price going early... Do you have to anticipate that? Sure. You anticipate all of it.
"But with recruiting classes, you're trying to predict the future. Why do you put Brett Downey on scholarship? Because you had to assume that Xavier's leaving. Which then raises the question to other walk-ons like Andrew Abbott who wants a scholarship - why not? Well, I've got corners... I can't predict. All those things play into it as you're trying to put together your puzzle."
Hey guys,
Fire away with questions for this week's Q&A. Please don't post new questions on the answers section, because I don't always check the comments. Save them for next week.
Thanks
Jon
To kick off the transcript of my pre-spring interview with UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel, I figured I'd post the ont topic everyone seems so interested in:
Continue reading Neuheisel Interview teaser.
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 11.
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Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 10.
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Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 9.
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Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 8.
Here's a link to my story on the UCLA baseball team at Dailynews.com: 18-and-Ooooohhhhhhhh
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 7.
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Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 6.
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Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 5.
Hey guys,
I'm visiting my family in San Francisco for the weekend, but I've set up the weekly answers to run over the next few days. If anything major breaks, Gene Warnick and Brian Martin will be on it.
I'm also setting up an Inside UCLA fantasy baseball league this weekend, so if interested, send me an email or put a comment here with your email address. Emailing me would be better - first 11 in get in - jon.gold@dailynews.com.
Also, I got some of the prizes for the March Madness Bracket Challenge, and they're sweet - two Jrue Holiday autographed rookie cards, a John Wooden card and several Darren Collison rookie cards among them.
Thanks for checking in,
Jon
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers....
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 4.
Jon Gold: At what point do you start to say, 'Hey, we haven't lost?'
UCLA baseball coach John Savage: "We're really focused on the approach day to day. What matters most is today's practice. What matters most is today's game. We're not getting ahead of ourselves. We've done that in the past a little bit. We have played in the post season. We haven't gotten where we've wanted to get to. We feel like we have the chemistry and the team to do it.
"We'll be 0-0 next Thursday, when we open against Stanford. Our players realize that."
JG: I covered Tony Gwynn at San Diego State for four years, and at times, his players seemed almost in awe of him, sometimes scared. How are you more suited for this? How do you, with your career, fit with this team, especially this 17-0 team?JS: "It's a lot of help. We've got great assistant coaches. Coach Vanderhook, Coach Pearse, Coach Shaw, our complete support staff - they're really connected. We know what to expect. There are no surprises in day to day operations. That's major. We can't get ahead of ourselves. Can't be thinking we're on the next plane to Omaha. Just try to be positive, a good example, make sure players know what to focus on."
Jon Gold: It's very easy in baseball to pitch great and still get hit or still take a loss. Are you surprised by the eye-opening numbers and pure stats that the team has produced?UCLA baseball coach John Savage: It's just a product of hard work and focusing on first-pitch strikes and two out of three and the first hitter of each inning, just kind of the nuts and bolts of pitching really. At the end of the day, I guess you can look at box score. But I think our guys are trying to get better. Development is a big part of our program. Guys seem to be developing and throwing strikes. So far, so good. It's early. Still 153 innings into the season."
JG: Development is often the overlooked aspect of college baseball - you make a kid better for three years and then he leaves. How have the seniors you've held onto - Blair Dunlap, Claypool, etc. - contributed to your success?JS: "It's really a unique part of college baseball. You look at a lot of Omaha teams and national championship teams, they've really had some good seniors. It's so hard to hold onto real good seniors. The strength has been the seniors. We have Justin Uribe who's off to a good start, Dunlap, Claypool. We don't have a lot, but they're major contributors. A lot are heartbroken when they're not drafted. You can either take it and run with it - there are a lot of seniors who are in the major leagues - or not.
"You have to sit 'em down and realize - you can be a part of something special. It's a different dynamic, no doubt about it. Always nice to have a couple guys with a chip on their shoulders."
Continue reading Savage On: Pt. 2.
Jon Gold: Gotta ask coach, 17-0? Really?
UCLA baseball coach John Savage: "You know, we haven't talked about it, we haven't dwelled on it at all. We're kinda doing what we do each day. Guys are working extremely hard in the weight room and conditioning, practice. We have good chemistry, work ethic, and it seems to be carrying over to the games."
JG: It's easy to dwell on your two aces, but has there been a trickle-down affect
JS: "We do like our depth. We really like our young position players. We're left-handed, we run well, we're playing much better defense. We have options. We feel we have several go-to guys on the offensive side. It's been really equally distributed. Pitching-wise, we feel very similar. We like our bullpen as well as our starting pitching. (Garrett) Claypool has really stepped up on Tuesdays. (Rob) Rasmussen seems to be getting better on Sundays. It's a lot more than just Bauer and Cole. It's a culmination of a lot of guys accepting their roles and going out."
Continue reading Savage On:.
Just had a fantastic conversation with John Savage, head baseball coach of the 17-0 Bruins, who play a weekend series with Cal Poly this weekend. Over the next several hours, I'll post the quotes, with the first one coming shortly.
UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince has longed for the number four for years. Thanks to Terrence Austin, he's waited patiently. Now, it's his.
"I've always wanted to be four but never could because it was retired at Crespi and Terrence Austin had it my first two years here," Prince said. "Brett Favre is my favorite quarterback, but more than that, I want people to see me as a guy who plays for the love of the game like he does.
"Sort of a new identity."
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 3.
UCLA-bound Mater Dei star Tyler Lamb was named the Orange Country Register's player of the year: Lamb's Chops
UCLA's trap defense only made a dent in the Nebraska attack early, and the top-seed Huskers eventually proved to powerful for the No. 8-seed Bruins on Tuesday, 83-70.
With Jasmine Dixon in foul trouble, UCLA's offense struggled at times, and after a 17-point, 11-board performance in the Bruins' first-round win over North Carolina State, Dixon finished with just 13.
While Dixon wasn't much of a factor, Kelsey Griffin, of course, was.
The Big-12 Player of the Year had 18 points and 14 rebounds, making her the second Husker with 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. Dominique Kelley led the way with 22 for Nebraska, which will face Kentucky next Sunday.
Here's a small Trevor Bauer feature from UCLA Magazine that might interest some UCLA baseball fans: Second Fiddle?
From UCLA:
Tonight's NCAA Second Round UCLA women's basketball game versus Nebraska will tip at approx. 6:35 pm PT and will be available on several different outlets.
ESPN2 will shown the game in UCLA's geographic region. This is on the standard definition ESPN2 channel. the HD version is scheduled to show a different game.
ESPNU is scheduled to show the game in its entirety.
In addition, the contest will also be available on ESPN360.com. Here is the link: http://espn.go.com/broadband/espn360/index?id=300820158
You can also listen to Dave Marcus, Tracy Murray and Mike Sondheimer call the action on UCLA All-Access at www.uclabruins.com.
The 16-0 UCLA baseball team continues to soar up the rankings as the latest national polls were released today.
The Bruins are No. 3 in the Collegiate Baseball poll, No. 6 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and No. 9 in the Baseball America Poll.
Behind ace starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer, UCLA leads the Pac-10 in ERA (2.06), strikeouts (203) and batting average against (.190).
But it's not all pitching.
The Bruins are second in the Pac-10 in batting at .363 and lead the conference with 22 home runs.
Tuesday, they will try to make it 17 straight with a win over UCSB.
Trying. To. Accomplish. Something. Under. Extreme. Pressure. Is. Not. Easy.
It feels just like that - stunted, disjointed, frustrating.
The North Carolina State Wolf Pack are probably still biting their nails after the pressure that the UCLA women's basketball team put on them in their NCAA Tournament first-round matchup on Sunday
The Bruins clamped down on the Wolf Pack with three minutes left in the first half, taking a one-point lead into halftime. And then the real pressure started.
Eighth-seeded UCLA blitzed the Wolf Pack in the second half with a maniacal trap defense, holding N.C. State to 33 percent shooting and 6-of-21 from long range, and cruising into the second round to face top-seed Nebraska with a 74-54 win.
The Bruins think it could've been more.
"Honestly, I think we could've won by more," said UCLA forward Jasmine Dixon, who led the team with 17 points and 11 rebounds. "We started off so jittery. We had butterflies. But coming into the tournament and winning by such a large number has given us a lot of confidence. We can hang with the top players."
They know that because they played so well on Sunday.
They know that because they've won 11 of 12 games.
They know that because they've been tested before.
"We've played Stanford three times, and they're the No. 2 team," said Dixon of the Bruins, who also played Tennessee earlier this year. "Playing such a high seed isn't a shock to us. We just have to play the basketball we're capable of playing."
As they did in the second half on Sunday.
UCLA outscored the Wolf Pack 48-29 in the second half, shooting 62 percent and hitting 13-of-14 free throws. North Carolina State could barely advance the ball toward the basket, the Bruins' suffocating defense cutting off all lanes.
"We talked about our keys, about the things we needed to get better at in the half court defensively - trapping more, closing our traps, being more disruptive on the defensive end," Caldwell said of her halftime speech. "We talked about having ball sureness, getting the running game going.
"But I also told them it's one and done and that I was not ready to go home. "
She's still not.
Caldwell knows what she's up against, as the Huskers and star guard Kelsey Griffin - one of four Naismith Trophy finalists - will present a daunting task.
Caldwell said her Bruins will have to be more assertive early against the Cornhuskers, who simply plowed through a tough Big-12 schedule in what's been their best season in school history.
"Our mindset has got to be more aggressive right out of the blocks," Caldwell said. "We know what's expected of us. We have 40 minutes of March Madness underneath our belts. We've played two No. 1 ranked opponents, and although we fell short, we got a great 40 minutes.
"Against a quality team like Nebraska, we can't just play 23 minutes, we have to play for 40."
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 2.
Check out the first batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 1.
Hey guys,
Fire away with questions for this week's Q&A. Please don't post new questions on the answers section, because I don't always check the comments. Save them for next week.
Also, I have some questions I didn't get to last week, so I'll try to get to them early this week.
Thanks
Jon
I'm checking out the 15-0 UCLA baseball team today in the final game of its three-game series with Oral Roberts. If the first two games are any indication - combined margin of victory: 32-6 - I'll be in for a show.
The Bruins continued their torrid streak yesterday, downing ORU 12-2 behind magnificent starting pitching once again. Trevor Bauer allowed one run and struck out nine, lowering his season ERA to 2.05.
I won't be covering the game, but I'll post a few tweets (ugh, I hate how sportswriting has changed) at @thecoolsub and on facebook in the Inside UCLA fan page.
Former UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price continues to drop in the NFL mock draft boards, this time falling to Indianapolis by one prognosticator and off the board by another. Last week, ESPN had Price at either 31 to Indy or 32 to New Orleans. At one point, he was almost a shoe-in at No. 20 to Houston.
Here's the link: Price falls
The No. 12 UCLA baseball team continues to roll, moving to 14-0 to start the season with a 20-4 win over Oral Roberts on Friday behind Dean Espy's 4-for-4, 4-RBI performance.
Gerrit Cole was his usual dominant self, allowing two runs in seven innings while striking out eight. Second baseman Tyler Rahmatulla went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, and catcher Steve Rodriguez added three RBIs and four runs scored.
Here's a link to the game story from UCLA: UCLA baseball
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 4.
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 3.
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 2.
Check out the first batch of weekly answers after the jump...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 1.
The UCLA Spring Football media guide was released today, and there is only one real surprise on the depth chart.
Damien Thigpen is listed at third, ahead of Milton Knox and behind Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman.
I've long been a proponent of Knox, and I'm surprised even before spring practice has started, Thigpen has surpassed him.
I chatted with UCLA women's basketball head coach Nikki Caldwell last night as her team prepares to face North Carolina State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Here is our short Q&A session...
Continue reading Quick Q&A w/ Nikki Caldwell.
Just talked with Lakewood DL Todd Barr, and what a good kid. Solid head on his shoulders, smart, engaging, seasoned. He's absorbing the recruiting process slowly, because quite frankly, he didn't expect it.
Check out what he has to say after the jump, but first, his profile:
Barr
Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Chat with Scout's No. 11 DE Todd Barr.
From UCLA:
Wayne Collett, one of the greatest athletes in UCLA track & field history, lost a long battle with cancer this morning. He was 60 years old.
Collett was a spectacular quartermiler, but also excelled in the hurdles, sprints and relays. His college coach, Jim Bush, called him "the greatest athlete I ever coached."
In 1972, he won an Olympic Silver Medal in the 400 meters in Munich, Germany. Earlier that year, he ran the fastest 400 meter time in history at sea level in winning the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Continue reading Wayne Collett, UCLA track star, passes away.
Just got off the phone with Lakewood High DL Todd Barr, and we set up an interview for later today. Should have it around 5 p.m., but stay tuned.
Here's his profile, if you want to get an early jump: Barr
Hey guys and girls,
So in addition to the Inside UCLA fantasy baseball league I'm setting up later this month, we're going to do an Inside UCLA March Madness Pick'em Contest.
Still determining the prizes, but I'm hoping to get football and hoops tickets and a collection of UCLA cards.
I'm thinking:
Grand Prize: 2 single-game 2010 football tix, 2 single-game 2010-11 football-hoops tix, lot of UCLA cards
2nd Place: 2010 2 single-game football tix
3rd Place: 2010-11 2 single-game basketball tix
4th Place: Lot of UCLA cards
The League ID is: 138986
The League Password is: bruins
Here's a link: SIGN UP HERE
Join up and good luck!
Thanks
Jon
Just got done with an hour-long one-on-one with Rick Neuheisel for my spring football preview, and he had some interesting things to say.
Some quick notes before I get back to NCAA Tournament preview stuff, which has been keeping and will continue to keep me busy for the next two days.
* He's very excited about Kevin Prince's offseason progression
* He said Datone Jones will not move to defensive tackle
* Nik Abele will get the first look at left tackle, though he anticipates Micah Kia's return in the fall
* Jayson Allmond will get first go at fullback with Tobi Umodu at No. 2, and Derrick Coleman at running back. Neuheisel did say, though, Coleman might be used in a Chane Moline-type role
* He's very anxious to see the progression of some players behind on the depth chart, such as Dalton Hilliard, Ricky Marvray and Jerry Johnson
He had a lot of great stuff about the Pac-10, the Oregon situation, the offseason program and the state of UCLA football. I'll get to it when I can.
UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel had this to say about the reinstatement of sophomore offensive guard Stan Hasiak:
""Stan has done everything we have asked of him during the Winter Quarter," Neuheisel said. "He has made some mistakes and has tried to correct them. After speaking with our coaching staff and our players, I felt like he deserved one last chance to be part of our team."
Hasiak was suspended from team activities on Dec. 21, when he was sent home for violation of team rules. He did not travel to the EagleBank Bowl with the team.
UCLA sophomore offensive lineman Stanley Hasiak was reinstated to the football team and will participate in spring ball.
Hasiak was expected to start in the preseason before losing his spot, and Jeff Baca got the nod at left guard throughout the year. With Xavier Su'a-Filo on his LDS mission, there is a hole at left tackle that Baca could possibly fill, potentially creating a spot for Hasiak.
Hasiak was put on indefinite suspension from the team in late December but has worked his way back.
From UCLA:
Sophomore right-handers Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole have earned National Player of the Week honors from Collegiate Baseball, as announced by the weekly newspaper on Monday. In addition, Bauer has secured Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week accolades for the third time in his career and the first time this season.
At the conclusion of the Whataburger College Classic in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Sunday evening, Bauer was named the tournament's most valuable player.
Both pitchers had sensational performances on back-to-back nights at the Whataburger College Classic in Corpus Christi, Texas, over the weekend. Bauer and Cole each struck out 15 batters in their respective starts on Friday night and Saturday evening.
The No. 12-ranked Bruins finished the weekend with three victories, pushing their overall record to 13-0, the team's best start in the modern era (dating to 1955). UCLA's 13-game winning streak is the program's longest since winning 13 straight at the end of the 1969 season (prior to the Bruins' first-ever trip to the College World Series).
Continue reading Cole, Bauer share weekly national honors.
Hey guys and girls,
So in addition to the Inside UCLA fantasy baseball league I'm setting up later this month, we're going to do an Inside UCLA March Madness Pick'em Contest.
Still determining the prizes, but I'm hoping to get football and hoops tickets and a collection of UCLA cards.
I'm thinking:
Grand Prize: 2010 football tix, 2010-11 football-hoops tix, lot of UCLA cards
2nd Place: 2010 football tix
3rd Place: 2010-11 basketball tix
4th Place: Lot of UCLA cards
The League ID is: 138986
The League Password is: bruins
Here's a link: Inside UCLA March Madness Pool
Join up and good luck!
Thanks
Jon
Assault charges for UCLA senior forward Nikola Dragovic were dropped on Monday during a prelimary hearing, Dragovic's lawyer Jon Artz said on a conference call with reporters.
Dragovic was charged with assault after an altercation during a concert at Henry Ford Theatre in Hollywood in which a man crashed into a glass case and lacerated his leg.
Artz contended that Dragovic came to the defense of his roommate, Aleksandar Stanisic, who was slapped in the face by the victim. Artz argued that a private investigation revealed that "the victim was the aggressor" and that Dragovic was acting in self-defense.
Artz said the lone prosecutorial witness was the victim and that the state lacked sufficient evidence to continue with the charges.
"Like every case, it helps to get the reports, get the videotapes and investigate," Artz said. "Once I got started on this thing, I said you know - and Dragovic went to UCPD the next day - given all the facts, there was a lot of stuff going on."
Artz said he "cannot foresee any further investigation" and is hopeful the case is over.
Dragovic averaged 12 points in 32.2 minutes for the 14-18 Bruins, who concluded their season with an 85-72 loss to Cal in the Pac-10 Tournament semifinals. Dragovic struggled with his shot all year, with a 37.2 field goal percentage, and went 6-for-24 in the conference tournament.
Jon Artz, the attorney for UCLA senior forward Nikola Dragovic, said that assault charges were dropped against his client because of insufficient evidence.
Conference call at 5 p.m., and I'll post something after
The UCLA women's basketball team, which lost to Stanford in the Pac-10 Tournament championship game, is heading to Minneapolis as the Kansas City region No. 8 seed.
The Bruins will face 20-13 N.C. State for the chance to meet top seed Nebraska, which will likely steamroll through the first round.
From UCLA:
Dick Baddour from the University of North Carolina, Gene Bleymaier from Boise State University; Dan Guerrero from UCLA; Mal Moore from the University of Alabama and Gene Smith from Ohio State University have been selected as nominees in the Athletic Director of the Year category for the 2010 Sports Business Awards presented by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily.
The Sports Business Awards recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the business of sports for the period from January 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010. Athletic directors from colleges and universities in the United States were eligible.
Winners will be announced at an awards gala that will be held Thursday, May 20, at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. Please click on the link below for the nominees in all 15 categories. http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/65118
Stanford so easily cruised through the Pac-10 regular season that the Pac-10 Tournament must have felt like just any old day for the Cardinal.
It showed.
No. 2 Stanford defeated No. 23 UCLA 70-46 on Sunday at the Galen Center, with Nnemkadi Ogwumike leading the way with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
UCLA's Jasmine Dixon had 20 points before fouling out with just more than five minutes remaining and was named to the all-tournament team along with Markel Walker.
The Bruins, who won 10 straight going into the game, should have a decent draw when the women's bracket comes out, while Stanford is a lock for a top seed.
*If UCLA gets an opening-weekend matchup on the West coast, I should be going.
Here's Scott Wolf's gamer from UCLA's 59-53 Pac-10 Tournament semifinal win over USC last night:
The UCLA baseball team is quickly becoming the safest bet on campus.
Guess that's what holding two aces will do for a team.
Sophomore starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer threw back-to-back 15-strikeout performances this weekend, leading the Bruins to wins in their first two games of the Whataburger Classic in Texas.
Cole allowed two runs on five hits in an 11-3 win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and his 15 strikeouts give him 41 in 25.2 innings.
Bauer then matched Cole's feat with 15 K's in No. 15 UCLA's 5-2 win over Mississippi State on Saturday. Bauer threw 70 of his 110 pitches for strikes and allowed three hits in eight innings, lowering his ERA to 2.38, .28 behind Cole's 2.10.
Latest news today: UCLA defeated Oklahoma 5-2 to move to 13-0, with Niko Gallego stealing home in the top of the 9th.
Hey guys,
Fire away with questions for this week's Q&A. Please don't post new questions on the answers section, because I don't always check the comments. Save them for next week.
Thanks
Jon
Check out Daily News columnist Vincent Bonsignore's column on Brian Price:
Here's a great excerpt:
"......Both brothers were gunned down as the result of gang violence, and there was a time his mother, Jeanetta, worried Price might get swept away in the same lifestyle.
"Not because he had a tendency to run the streets, he was never that way," Jeanetta Price said. "But when Damon died, I worried it was a blow that might overtake Brian, maybe take away some of his motivation.
"It would have been easy for Brian to give up his dream, especially after losing his two brothers like that. That was my biggest concern, that he would give up and think it wasn't possible to fulfill his dream. I had to keep a careful eye on him, to make sure that didn't happen."
There was no reason to worry.
"I had football, and I guess that made me look at things differently than everyone else does," Price said. "Football was my calling. To the point where, if I came up on a situation, or a decision, I always considered the long run, and how it would affect my dreams."
UCLA senior forward Michael Roll was named to the Pac-10 All-Tournament team after averaging 22.5 points in a first-round win over Arizona and a second-round loss to Cal.
Roll, who became the 49th Bruin to score 1,000 career points, had 27 point against Cal, including 16 in the first half.
Roll was named All-Pac-10 first team last week.
A visibly frustrated Michael Roll had this to say about why the team has struggled to maintain leads throughout the year:
"To be honest, I don't really care. It's over with. We lost, I'm done here. It's time for everybody else to figure it out."
STAPLES CENTER -
The rabbit sensed his opening and took off, frantically trying to escape the stalking predator.
The fox laid off, waiting for the rabbit to grow desperate.
The rabbit kept his distance, maintaining a cushion on the fox as long as he could.
The fox stayed patient, tried to take inch-by-inch.
The rabbit grew weary, its tired legs pattering as fast as they could, the steps getting smaller, smaller, smaller.
The fox pounced as everyone knew it would, finally caught up to the rabbit and promptly tore it to shreds.
On Friday night, the UCLA Bruins were the rabbit, cute and cuddly, trying their darndest to postpone their season one more night, for the Pac-10 Tournament championship game.
The Cal Bears were the fox, cunning and experienced, wily, just knowing their time would come.
Jerome Randle was the fox's razor-sharp teeth.
The Pac-10 Player of the Year scored 24 points on 7-of-11 shooting and hit a crucial 3-pointer as the first half expired as Cal advanced to the Pac-10 Tournament championship game with an 85-72 win on Friday night at Staples Center.
"It was the story of the fox and the rabbit," said UCLA sophomore guard Malcolm Lee, who finished with six points and five assists. "The fox was just looking for a meal, the rabbit was just running for his life. We were the rabbit. We jumped out ahead, but you could feel their intensity come out of nowhere."
Continue reading Rabbits fall to Foxes 85-72.
In today's podcast, Daily News UCLA beat writer Jon Gold and columnist Vinnie Bonsignore talk about the UCLA basketball team's chances in the Pac-10 tournament, and how the program can and should improve.
They also discuss UCLA football and the prospects for current Bruin players in the pros.
To listen to the podcast, click the play button above. To subscribe via iTunes or RSS feed, and to listen to previous episodes, go to the Inside UCLA Podcast blog.
With his 19th point on Friday night against Cal, UCLA senior Michael Roll became the 49th player in program history to score 1,000 points.
Roll had 16 points in the first half but none in the first eight minutes of the second half against the Bears, and he got his 1000th on a free throw after a Mike Montgomery technical foul with 6:21 left.
Roll was named to the All-Pac-10 first team earlier this week and leads the Bruins in points and minutes played.
From an attentive chatter:
FROM UCLA:
Ross Bjork, who has worked the last five seasons as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and External Relations at UCLA, has been named Western Kentucky University's Director of Athletics, President Dr. Gary Ransdell announced today. Bjork has 18 years of intercollegiate athletics experience as an administrator and student-athlete, having also worked on the senior staffs at the University of Miami and the University of Missouri. He also served as Assistant Development Coordinator at WKU in 1996-97. Bjork will replace Dr. Wood Selig, who is leaving WKU to serve as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Old Dominion University. Bjork will be the youngest Athletics Director among the 120 members of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
(more after the jump)
Continue reading Ross Bjork named Western Kentucky University A.D..
Former UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price, the Pac-10 defensive player of the year, is slipping in the latest ESPN mock drafts.
Todd McShay has Price going to the Vikings at pick No. 30, saying: "Price is a disruptive force who could help keep Williams fresh, give the interior pass rush a boost and step into a starting role after Williams moves on."
Mel Kiper has Price at No. 31 to Indianapolis: "Price is a superior option, a player who can beat or shed blockers and cause problems on the interior. The Colts should upgrade along the defensive line, and Price represents great value."
They say the third time's a charm, and basketball fans cling to the notion.
Arizona, which swept UCLA in the regular season, fell victim to the adage that it's difficult to beat the same team three times in a season. However, freshman forward Tyler Honeycutt, who was named along with Reeves Nelson to the Pac-10 All-freshman team earlier this week, maintains that the Bruins felt the tide turning even in the team's second matchup.
"It gets tougher every time - even the second time was tougher for them," Honeycutt said. "They thought they knew what to expect. The third time, we kinda had enough. We're going out there with, 'We're not going to let them do this again.' They're going out there like, 'We already got them twice, we can get them again.'
"They were up here, and we were down there, trying to come up."
Hey guys,
Just a heads up: I'm using the Inside UCLA Facebook fan page a lot more lately, so if you haven't already, feel free to either add me as a friend on Facebook or just add the fan page.
Both are linked to my twitter account (@TheCoolSub - long story...) and I've been posting like crazy from the Pac-10 Tournament.
Tomorrow we'll have another in-game chat, and I'm trying to get a new UCLA recruit to join, but no dice so far. I'll keep at it.
Also, if you haven't read this article yet - HERE - read about UCLA's forgotten players, with some cool Spencer Soo dunking videos.
Thanks
Jon
From UCLA:
Starting today at 3:00 p.m. STAPLES Center will offer all students with a valid PAC-10 school student identification a special $10 ticket to Friday night's games at STAPLES Center.
Game #1 at 6:00 p.m. features UCLA vs. Winner of Oregon vs. California
Game #2 at 8:30 p.m. features Washington vs. Oregon State Winner vs.
Arizona State vs. Stanford Winner
All students have to do is visit the STAPLES Center Box Office and show a valid student ID, and for $10 will receive a ticket in the 300 Upper Concourse for both of Friday night's games.
After 5:00 p.m. today students can also choose to visit www.ticketmaster.com and enter the special promotions code "STUDENT10".
"In celebration of our 10th Anniversary we are pleased to announce that for Friday night's Semi-Final Games we are able to offer all Pac-10 Conference students the opportunity to come out and support their team in the conference tournament at STAPLES Center for just $10.00," Lee Zeidman, General Manager, STAPLES Center.
Michael Roll could be the next major commercial star.
After a harrowing performance in UCLA's 56-46 loss to Arizona State in their regular-season finale - Roll went 1-for-9 and 0-for-6 from 3-point range for just two points - the Bruins' senior captain and All-Pac-10 first team selection put it succinctly.
"Wanna get away?" Roll said when asked how he felt about the performance.
Roll rebounded on Thursday, though, scoring 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting with three 3-pointers.
"Really just had to forget about Saturday," Roll said. "It was terrible. There's no explanation for it. I just really couldn't buy a bucket a couple days ago. It was shocking really. But coming into today, I knew I was going to shoot it better."
Still wanna get away?
"No get-aways," Roll said, laughing. "Southwest isn't too happy today."
At first glance, it would appear Reeves Nelson was all the difference for UCLA in its Pac-10 Tournament quarterfinal matchup with Arizona on Thursday.
These same Bruins lost to these same Wildcats by five just a week ago, blowing a 14-point lead with Nelson on the bench because of apprehension following surgery on his left eye.
Problem is, the first glance isn't always the easiest.
Just ask Nelson.
Sporting new goggles courtesy of Los Angeles Lakers trainer Gary Vitti, Nelson had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bruins to the 75-69 win, essentially eliminating Arizona's bid for its 26th-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
"We played smarter today, and even when they made their runs, we stayed calm," Nelson said. "We did all the things we didn't in the first games against them."
Continue reading Bruins advance to Pac-10 Tourney semifinals with 75-69 win over Arizona.
Courtesy of an attentive chatter in the in-game chat, via Bruinville.com:
Username: http://www.justin.tv/mbootymah
Password: lastchance
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly answers, Pt. 6.
Hey guys,
Here's a link to my feature on UCLA walk-ons Spencer Soo, Matt DeMarcus and Blake Arnet. Pretty good stuff.
Here's my favorite excerpts:
Unlike Arnet and DeMarcus, Soo had to try out for the team; after missing the tryout his freshman year left him depressed, he vowed to go for it the next year and made it.
The change was immediate.
"I saw what it was like being a non-athlete, then being an athlete," Soo said. "I was at a get-together, and someone introduced me to their girlfriend, and then says, 'Oh, yeah, and he's on the basketball team.' The girl was already turned around, already forgot my name, but she turns back around, re-asks my name and then asks for a hug, just because I'm on the basketball team."
OK, so the hugs make it worth it.
*******
"I was playing basketball in Venice Beach, and a guy says, 'Oh, you're pretty good, did you play ball in college?" Soo said. "And I said, 'Yeah, I actually play for UCLA.' He laughs; 'Ha, yeah, and I have a full ride to North Carolina.' And now I'm hurt. I'm like, 'No, man, I walked on.' But that was just his first instinct reaction.
"But I ended up showing him a couple things."
*******
Enjoy, let me know what you think.
Check out the latest batch of answers after the jump...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 5.
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers after the jump...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 4.
UCLA freshman center/forward Reeves Nelson said during Tuesday's press conference that one of the reasons he has chosen to play despite fears of further eye damage is because he feels a duty to the team, in particular senior Michael Roll.
"He's just been the perfect example really," Nelson said of Roll. "He didn't play that much his first couple years here, but I saw how much work he put in the offseason, and this season, especially to the young guys like me and Tyler, he's just been... he leads by example, he leads by words, he does it all really."
UCLA sophomore guard Malcolm Lee is shooting just 13 percent from 3-point range during the conference schedule, having made just six-of-46 attempts.
Last season, Lee made 6-of-20 3-point tries, but he dedicated himself in the offseason to refining his shot.
"He's a better shooter than that," UCLA head coach Ben Howland said. "There's no question. He's a better shooter than 13 percent. Some of it I'm sure has to do with confidence. Confidence is such a big part of being a good shooter. I fully expect he'll shoot much better than that in the future."
UCLA freshman forward Reeves Nelson said during Tuesday's press conference that he would play in the Pac-10 Tournament, after sitting out the regular season-ending road trip at Arizona and Arizona State because of apprehension about further injuring his left eye.
Nelson, who along with teammate Tyler Honeycutt was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team, had surgery in late February to repair a slight retinal tear which caused him to miss matchups with Oregon and Oregon State.
He was expected to return for the Arizona swing, but fears about hereditary retina problems - Nelson's grandmother, a pivotal figure in his life, has two detached retinas and is legally blind - kept him sidelined despite being medically cleared.
Nelson discussed the situation with his mother early during the week and she gave him the go-ahead.
"She talked to the doctor one more time over the phone, and she just feels more at ease with it, and if my mom's OK with it, I'm OK with it," Nelson said. "There's always a risk I guess. After talking to my mom, (I realized) you can't really be scared of things. You have to stand up to your fears."
Continue reading More on Reeves Nelson's return.
UCLA freshman forward Reeves Nelson, who was named to the Pac-10 all-freshman team, said on Tuesday that he would play in the Pac-10 Tournament after sitting out four games. More to come.
UCLA women's basketball head coach Nikki Caldwell was named Pac-10 coach of the year today after leading the No. 25 Bruins to a 22-7 record and a school record-tying 15-3 record in conference play.
Jasmine Dixon and Markel Walker were named to the All-Pac-10 team, while Walker was also an all-freshman team selection.
Continue reading Caldwell named Pac-10 Coach of the Year.
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers after the jump...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 3.
Check out the latest batch of weekly answers after the jump...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 2.
Check out the first batch of weekly answers after the jump:
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 1.
UCLA senior guard Michael Roll was named to All-Pac-10 first team today, while freshmen forward Tyler Honeycutt and Reeves Nelson were named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team.
Roll averaged 13.5 points and 3.6 assists and shot 42 percent from 3-point range in a team-high 35.7 minutes per game, second in the Pac-10.
Honeycutt came on as the season progressed and finished with averages of 7.3 points and 6.7 rebounds, while Nelson had 11 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 23.2 MPG.
Check the full release after the jump:
Continue reading Roll named first-team Pac-10 by coaches.
Here is a link to a live Q&A session with former UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner as he prepares for the NFL Draft.
The Q&A section is done, but Verner has some interesting insights.
Hey guys,
Fire away with questions for this week's Q&A. Please don't post new questions on the answers section, because I don't always check the comments. Save them for next week.
Thanks
Jon
Sometimes a shrug says everything.
Sometimes it's the head shake or the droopy shoulders.
Sometimes it's the frown that speaks volumes.
Every so often, though, a basketball player will say everything that needs to be said in three words, sum up an entire season's worth of frustration in one phrase, utter the exact line that rings true for a team and its fan base.
On Saturday afternoon after a 1-for-9, 0-for-6 from 3-point range performance in a 56-46 loss at Arizona State, UCLA senior guard Michael Roll was that man.
"How do you feel when you have an off day?" he was asked.
He paused, shook his head, dropped his shoulders.
"Wanna get away?"
The frustration was palpable, the disappointment dripping like sap on a tree. He continued, albeit a bit more biting.
"F---, I don't know," Roll said. "It was terrible. I just tried to stay focus on the next shot, back to the fundamentals. F---, nothing went in. I don't know."
Continue reading Wanna Get Away?.
At noon on Thursday, No. 5-seed UCLA will open the Pac-10 Tournament with No. 4 Arizona, which defeated the Bruins 78-73 on Thursday in Tucson. The Wildcats, behind Kyle Fogg, Derrick Williams and Nic Wise, have toyed with the Bruins this year, Fogg in particular, as he's scored career-highs in both games.
The winner of the matchup will advance to face either Cal or the winner of Oregon/Washington State, which is the Wednesday play-in game.
Here's the full bracket, and all games will be played at Staples Center:
Wednesday
No. 8 Oregon vs. No. 9 Washington State, 8 p.m.
Thursday
No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 5 UCLA, noon
No. 1 Cal vs. Oregon/WSU, 2:30 p.m.
No. 3 Washington vs. No. 6 Oregon State, 6 p.m.
No. 2 Arizona State vs. No. 7 Stanford, 8:30 p.m.
I've heard from a couple close sources that former UCLA offensive lineman Brandon Bennett, who chose not to return to the program in December and is close to graduating, wants to continue his playing career at Azusa Pacific University, a premier NAIA school.
Bennett, who is from Azusa and played for Bishop Amat, has one year of eligibility remaining. I'd imagine that he'd be able to compete for a starting spot right away, and I'm told APU has a need at tackle. Bennett played sparingly for the Bruins and chose to end his UCLA career along with offensive lineman Jake Dean, tight end Jeff Miller and safety Garrett Rubio on Dec. 1.
UCLA is shooting 36 percent from the field and 1-for-7 from 3-point range as they trail Arizona State 32-21 at the half.
Luckily for the Bruins, the Sun Devils haven't done much better, at 43 percent, and 27 percent on threes.
But Arizona State has 17 rebounds to UCLA's 10, and have flustered the Bruins on the perimeter.
Here's the last batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 9.
I'm doing a big feature on UCLA basketball players Spencer Soo, Blake Arnet and Matt DeMarcus (running next week), and Soo clued me in on a Fox Sports video that is awesome. I've seen the kid dunk before but...wow.
Check out the second dunk. Nasty.
Oh, and here's another video:
When will he be looked at again?
"Not sure about that. He's been cleared to play, so I'm not sure there's any need necessarily for the doctor to look at him again. It's an unusual case in that I've never had a guy whacked like he has. To have that thing with the left eye and the background of the family... I can understand the apprehension and anxiety and fear because of how he plays. He actually got hit in the head in Wednesday's practice, which may have given him some pause. I totally understand - his mom's very worried. You can understand that his mother would have a real sense of being fearful."
When will you need to know his Pac-10 Tournament plans? Will he make that decision?
"Yes, he's going to make the decision. It doesn't change our preparation of what we'll be able to do. Obviously for him, he'll have been out a couple weeks now, and if he were to play in the tournament, he'd need a couple days of practice it. We'll revisit it when we get back to Los Angeles."
The nagging cramps that attacked UCLA sophomore guard Malcolm Lee earlier this season came back to bit him in the second half of the team's 78-73 loss to Arizona on Thursday.
Lee exited the game with 15 minutes, 19 seconds left in the game and the Bruins up 12.
He returned 9:15 mark.
UCLA's lead was three.
"It really hurt us - I don't know what the score was when he came out, I think it was 10 or 11, but when he came back in, the momentum had change," UCLA head coach Ben Howland said. "It hurts when he's not in the game, but it's no fault of his. He's been trying to address it throughout the season, but I'm asking him to do a Superman feat here of playing really hard."
Here's the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 7.
UCLA freshman forward Reeves Nelson was medically cleared for the team's weekend matchups at Arizona and Arizona State, but sometime Thursday, Nelson grew apprehensive about his return.
And for good reason.
"There's a situation where my granny - who I grew up with and basically helped raise me - has two detached retinas, so there's a hereditary concern," Nelson said. "Also, I have a little anxiety myself of not being able to play 100 percent and help the most I could to win. I don't want to shortchange the guys by not going 100 percent."
For any fans who question Nelson's toughness, quite frankly, it was not an easy decision. Nelson appeared pained just talking about the situation, which came about after doctors at the Jule Stein Eye Institute discovered a slight retina tear in his left eye during a follow-up visit to check his right eye, which was injured two weeks ago against Washington State. That injury followed another freak occurrence early in the season, when Nelson was poked in the eye against Kansas.
Continue reading More on Nelson.
UCLA fans are used to broken records.
They're just not used to their team playing like one.
The Bruins again jumped to a sizeable lead, again watched it disappear with poor shot selection, poor time management and poor defense, and the Arizona Wildcats took a late lead and held on for the 78-73 win on Thursday night at the McKale Center.
UCLA led by as much and 14 and were ahead until 3 minutes, 19 seconds remained, but by then, the Bruins were spent. With a short bench after the one-game suspension of sophomore center J'mison Morgan and the late-notice absence of freshman forward Reeves Nelson, who didn't play because of trepidation following eye surgery in late-February, there would be no late-game heroics for the Bruins.
"In the first half, we did a very good job offensively - we were 15-for-25 - and in the second half, I thought their pressure bothered us," UCLA head coach Ben Howland said. "Then they did much better job attacking our zone; they were 14-of-22 from the field in the second half."
Continue reading UCLA falls at Arizona, 78-73.
UCLA leads Arizona 39-29 at the half, after a 19-11 run to close the first half. Malcolm Lee and Michael Roll each have 11 points, and Nikola Dragovic added nine.
The Bruins survived poor free-throw and 3-point shooting...probably because Arizona was worse at both.
More importantly for UCLA though, is the absence of Arizona star freshman Derrick Williams, who has three fouls.
Despite being medically cleared for UCLA's games this weekend against Arizona and Arizona State, UCLA freshman forward Reeves Nelson won't play in either game.
A UCLA spokesman said that it was a mutual decision between Nelson and head coach Ben Howland to not play. His status for the Pac-10 Tournament is undecided.
Former UCLA starting running back Christian Ramirez, who dealt with ankle and hamstring injuries early last year and lost his starting job, will get a look in the defensive backfield heading into spring ball.
Ramirez originally entered UCLA as a safety but switched to running back in 2007.
Here's the latest batch of weekly answers...
1) Sounds like the Mamba LOVED his time at Cal's jr day. In his interviews i never hear him mention USC yet you feel they are a major threat for his signature. Pullard signing with SC hurts us too, so who do you think he signs with next Feb? - 909BruinI still think he's USC's to lose.
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 6.
Former UCLA point guard Darren Collison won NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for February after averaging 21.6 points, 8.3 assists and nearly two steals in the place of star guard Chris Paul, who is out with a knee injury.
The honor was not lost on UCLA head coach Ben Howland.
"That was great to see Darren win rookie of the month," UCLA head coach Ben Howland said. "I just talked to Darren (Monday), not knowing they had a game last night - he had 15 assists. He's playing great and what was nice, and I forgot who told me that, is ESPN did a great piece on him, about how his four years prepared him. There's no question he's helped himself as an NBA player."
UCLA freshman forward Reeves Nelson was medically cleared to play in UCLA's regular season-ending roadtrip this weekennd at Arizona and Arizona State. Nelson had retinal surgery on Feb. 22 to replace a retinal tear in his left eye. He was fitted for eyewear and practiced today in his new goggles.
UCLA senior forward Nikola Dragovic, meanwhile, practiced today without issue after playing through a sprained ankle and sore shoulder that required a pre-game shot on Saturday.
Also, sophomore center J'mison was suspended for the Arizona game for a violation of team rules.
All this success is not happening too fast for Nikki Caldwell.
She still has her bearings.
Her UCLA women's basketball team may be ranked for the first time in four years, winners of six straight and ten of 11, and with the No. 2 seed for the Pac-10 tournament locked up.
This may be only her second season at the helm.
This may be her first head coaching gig.
Yet she's not surprised.
"It doesn't surprise me," Caldwell said, not so much smugly but with certainty, on the eve of UCLA's matchup with visiting Arizona State at 7 p.m. tonight. "When I took over this program, the cupboard wasn't bare. We had great guard play, which we still do. We had size. Great shooters. I felt good about where we were at when I first got here."
Continue reading Winning doesn't catch Caldwell by surprise.
Tyler Honeycutt is conflicted.
He is a passer at heart, wants to find the open man, unselfish to a fault.
Yet he sees four points on four attempts against Oregon - after 18 points and 10 attempts two days before against Oregon State - and he knows neither are enough.
"I think I should've scored more than four points against Oregon, but I still helped get us back into the game, passing, rebounding," Honeycutt said on Tuesday, after his 13 rebound, nine assist performance Saturday night. "Sometimes I kinda question myself why I didn't take more shots. I was playing on the inside a lot, and they were kinda switching zones, so there weren't as many high-post touches. When I was playing the perimeter, I made some passes. I probably should've scored more."
Continue reading Honeycutt conflicted.
Here's the latest batch of weekly answers...
1) Is there any reason to think Jerime Anderson is going to improve next year? Do you think his play is a reflection of the injuries he suffered early in the season (and over the summer, if I recall correctly) or his lack of work over the summer? - la-ukla
I think it's a combination of a lot of things. Point guards feed off talent, and UCLA lacks talent. Point guards need to be healthy, and he wasn't healthy. Point guards need to be confident, and he's not confident. I've seen glimpses out of him that make me believe he has the natural ability to be a player. But high-level D-1 basketball is not just about ability. Maybe 1 percent of players can get by just on being athletically better - Kevin Love, for example. He was just...better. But for the rest, you have to out-work the next guy, especially in basketball, where less players means less of a broad spectrum of talent.
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 5.
Here's the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 4.
On what Jerime Anderson can do to keep his starting point guard position next season:
"He's had a very up and down season. He started the season 1-for-11 against Cal State Fullerton. He's had some good games. Number one he has to get in good physical shape to stay healthy. For him, it's learning to play lower and really be committed to do everything to be the best he can be. Playing basketball every day, working on his handling, working on his free throw shooting. I think he could've done a better job in the offseason."
On Brendan Lane:
"Brendan Lane in retrospect I should've played him more minutes. He did a great job on a sprained ankle on Saturday. Of course he makes mistakes, but when you make mistakes out of trying as hard as you can, it's hard to fault kids for that."
Why did BoBo get just 2 minutes against Oregon?
"With Brendan back in the lineup, I felt he gave us more. We can play him ahead of Bobo."
Here are the latest batch of weekly answers...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 3.
Here are some assorted Ben Howland quotes from UCLA's Tuesday press conference:
Continue reading Howland On: Pt. 2.
Here are some assorted quotes on UCLA's health from Ben Howland's Tuesday press conference:
Continue reading Howland On: .
This is a pretty long interview, with some great answers, so take a look after the jump...
Just wanted to give you guys a heads up that I'm formatting a solid interview with Brandon Huffman about the Clarkson Dreammaker Academy that happened this weekend. Some interesting info about UCLA's potential quarterback recruits. Just trying to get the links working.
Stay tuned.
Former UCLA point guard Darren Collison was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for February.
Here's the link to the New Orleans Hornets' Web site:
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the UCLA men's basketball season to the players has not just been the number of losses, though quite shocking, but the manner of losses.
There have been big losses and small losses and embarrassing losses, but Saturday's loss to Oregon might have been the worst, at least judging body language.
After the big losses to USC and Washington, the attitude was more, "Wow, I don't know what just happened, lets get over it and move on."
And they did, winning both games following those losses.
Continue reading "Unfortunate" loss weighs on Roll.
Check out the first batch of weekly answers after the jump...
Continue reading Weekly Answers, Pt. 1.
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