Thoughts and Observations on Hoops Media Day

* The most surprising revelation from UCLA basketball media day on Wednesday was Ben Howland's assertion that the starting point guard battle is completely open. I thought that Jerime Anderson would have an edge, simply by virtue of starting last season, but Howland said quite clearly that both Anderson and Lazeric Jones were on even footing. I've heard some good things about Anderson's offseason, that he rededicated himself to basketball and conditioning, but I've also heard glowing reviews of Zeke. I'll be interested to see how this works out, but if UCLA can get a 50 percent improvement at the position - and no injuries - they'll be good enough to contend.

* Joshua Smith is absolutely massive, despite all the weight he's lost. I heard the number fifty tossed around, as in 50 pounds, but I really doubt that. I would be shocked if he had 50 pounds to lose when he came to Westwood, but what I can say now is: Wow. His post presence alone should be a factor. If he couldn't even dribble a basketball, he is big enough to strike fear in the eyes of penetrating guards. If Reeves Nelson, who worked extensively on his outside shot and his post defense during the offseason, can make a smooth transition to power forward, this is the best front line in the conference.

* Brendan Lane got a heck of a lot thicker over the offseason, and he told me he put on 20 pounds. As crazy as this might sound, in a season like this in which the Pac-10 has not one dominant team, a guy like Lane could be a huge factor. If he can stay healthy and deliver a solid 10+ minutes per game, this team has the depth to do damage, despite only 10 scholarship players.

* I'm interested to see Tyler Honeycutt's role within the offense. When I covered him in high school, he got points by being way more athletic, and much taller, than most opponents. I saw him put up 42 points and 25 rebounds in a game, and I swear, I don't know if I saw him take, or need to take, one actual shot. It really seemed like all 42 points were cleanup points and easy buckets. Last season, he was so tentative early that he just sorta got lost in the offense, not many plays run for him, and he was frustrated by his role. I don't see that happening this year, but I do want to see how he's improved his offensive game.

* Had a great chat with Reeves Nelson, and he said something that intrigues me, basically telling me that the role he played last season - nasty, gritty, ugly post grunt - was not really him.
""Last year, I did what I had to do at first to get playing time. I thought our team needed that, and I got forced into that. Maybe not forced, but pushed into the role. I was a 6-8 guys playing center against 6-11 guys. I had to do that. This year, I'm going to try to go back to what I did in high school. That's a lot more on the wing, skill stuff. I was very comfortable doing it, but last year, I did what I had do to. Now, I'm going to do a lot of different stuff, and I think it will surprise some people."
With practices closed, I don't get a chance to actually see him play until Nov. 4, but he'll definitely be someone I focus my attention on early in the season.

* With a weak non-conference schedule, but one that can be boosted depending on the preseason NIT performance, I think Howland has set himself up nicely to get the team on a roll early. Besides Kansas and a couple games in the NIT, there really are no stumbling blocks - and Fullerton and Long Beach are not on the schedule - so for a team that will be predicated on chemistry and youth, a hot start could be very beneficial.