Check out the latest batch of weekly answers…

1) How are we going to use Thigpen next year? – Anonymous
I’m still not sure. He could have the most to gain in spring ball, if he can be healthy and productive. You guys know what I think of his game. I still think he has a ton of potential.

2) The Johnson hire and the pending Shannon hire with Neuhiesel coaching QB’s really has me excited for next season. Am I being foolish for falling into this trap again? – Optimistic Bruin
Well, all I can tell you is my approach to general sports fandom, and that is always go into a year expecting a little worse than you actually hope for. So if you can look at the schedule, look at the relative talent compared to other teams, look at the experience that is returning at certain positions and say, I “hope” UCLA gets eight wins next season, then you should expect six or seven. All that to say, yeah, sure, be excited, but don’t expect utter greatness.

3) Jon, earlier you stated that not having an o or d coordinator was not necessarily hurting our recruiting, no that we know our o coordinator and should Shannon come on this week, are these two names considered a positive for recruits based on their resumes? – Tim
Well, I was speaking more toward the defensive coordinator side, because UCLA never was without an OC – even when thing were dicey for Norm Chow, he continued to do his job – but I also expected a few things to go the Bruins’ way that haven’t, particularly Stefan McClure. At this point, I think you have to say that not having an official DC has hurt during the process.

4) Jon – Since it seems like Howland has not been successful (struck out?) in recruiting a quality High School point guard recently, and seeing how Zeke Jones has come in and produced (beyond everyones expectation), is there any concentrated effort in looking at the JCs again this year, (ie the next couple of months) for another point guard to bring for next season (given that there’s are any potential/quality point guards that has potential like Zeke Jones)? – rejn
Yes, that could be an option, but its also a slippery slope. UCLA should, and will again, be able to recruit elite west coast point guards, and I think some of the issues have been with evaluation, not necessarily the actual recruitment of a player. That means getting on guys too late, or not at all, and expecting them to just love UCLA because the team went to three final fours a few years ago. I don’t think that cuts the mustard anymore.

5) I think that I now understand why so many of our football players and other UCLA athletes seek medical attention outside of the UCLA health system. According to http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/ncaa-finances.htm, UCLA spends the least of all PAC10 schools on athlete healthcare. Could it be the incompetence of the training staff or injuries being misdiagnosed by the head medical guy that makes athletes families seek outside medical treatments that they have to pay with their own insurance. Do we not owe our young athletes better care? Remember it is their playing on the fields and courts of UCLA that bring in the cash to the schools coffers. – Anonymous
All I know for certain that athletes at all schools seek outside assistance if they believe that is right for them. Happens everywhere.