Inside UCLA with Jon Gold

Weekly Answers, Pt. 3

2010-03-20T00:17:06Z

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...

]]> 1) What does Lane and Honeycutt need to work on during the offseason? - Anonymous
Both need to get stronger and bigger, and Honeycutt needs to work on his outside game.

2) What's the latest on Dragovic's legal case? What's to stop him from alighting to Europe and never coming back? Do you think he'd do that? - Blue Bruin
Charges dropped. All done.

3) Of the basketball players returning for next year, provide in order the players you expect to improve the most. - Anonymous
Lee, Honeycutt, Lane, Anderson, Moser, Nelson, Stover, Morgan

4) Any info on what Michal Roll wants to do now? Pursue a professional career in Europe? - Luca10
Yes, he'd like to continue playing ball, and I expect him to.

5) I have a non-UCLA question, what are your thoughts about the punishments by Coach Kelly to both James and Masoli? I find it kind of strange that James' crime is more disturbing than Masoli but he only receives one game and Masoli is suspended the entire season. I don't like the actions of either player but it looks like the punishments don't necessarily match the crime looking from the outside. Thank you in advance. - Gilligan
I think Kelly could've been a little more proactive on the Masoli case sooner, but I've talked to people very close to the James situation, and they're saying it was blown out of proportion, and I think his punishment is a reflection of that.

Weekly Answers, Pt. 2

2010-03-19T22:54:56Z

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...

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1) Also, Norm Chow - right places at the right times, or "best offensive genius EVAR!!!!"? - Reformed Droog
Probably a little bit of both, leaning more toward genius. Of course, he was fortunate. All great coaches have some luck. But success is combining luck plus talent, and he's obviously one of the great ones.

2) At various times and in different ways, Howland has expressed disappointment at how the 2008 class panned out. True, some guys have left unexpectedly, but it's clear Howland is specifically referring to Morgon, Lee, and Anderson not meeting expectations. How do you think those players feel about their coach's remarks? - Blue Bruin
Anderson has certainly owned up to his mistakes, and I think Morgan started to understand that he might not be a fit for Howland toward the end of the season. Lee is a more interesting situation, because he was pretty good when in his element, and dreadful when out. Not sure how even he really feels about his season.

3) Did coach Howland tell Drago to stop jacking up threes at ANY point during the game with Cal? If not, why not? If you don't know, can you ask him? (Stats show he is not our best shooter.) - TK Bruin
I think Howland is a lot less concerned about shot selection than he is some of the other mistakes, such as defensive lapses or lacking hustle.

4) Is there any indication that Ben Howland won't be coaching at UCLA next year? There are rumors floating around that he's searching for another gig. - Anonymous
Completely unfounded.

5) Who do you think UCLA gets in basketball recruiting? Zeigler? McCallum? Leslie? Jones? - OC Bruin
Here is the current recruit list - List - and I think the best top-level shot is McCallum, but not likely.

Link to Spring Football guide

2010-03-19T22:06:00Z

Here's a link for the UCLA Spring Football Media Guide:

Media Guide

Weekly Answers, Pt. 1

2010-03-19T17:23:22Z

Check out the first batch of weekly answers after the jump...

]]> 1) The coaches will be 3 QBs available this season. Are they concerned about the depth at this position? And if you were ranking this group over the rest of the Pac10 QBs where would they fall? - Gerry4UCLA
Yes, they're concerned about depth, but every coach in America is concerned about QB depth. Most programs don't have more than three real options at quarterback. Depending on Prince's progress, I put the group anywhere from 5th-8th.

2) Any chance that Jermine Anderson was playing hurt this year? Just curious. - Anonymous
He was definitely playing hurt earlier in the season, and while his groin may have healed, his ego didn't. Very hard to get your mojo back when doubt creeps in, especially prolonged doubt. If he buys into the system and the program, I have no doubt he's talented enough to be a starting PG at UCLA.

3) Chad Ford, among others, are suggesting that Malcolm Lee will declare for the draft. Do you think that Lee bolts for the NBA? - Anonymous
Declaring for the draft and being drafted are two different things. He should be back.

4) How does UCLA stand with Max Wittek and where do you think he falls on UCLA's wish list for QB's? - Anonymous
They fare very well for him, and I think Neuheisel can close the deal on him. He's very high on the want list.

5) Objectively, what should UCLA fans be most concerned about heading in to spring practice? - Reformed Droog
Biggest concern, obviously, is defensive tackle. But I come from the school of thought that one good defensive tackle, which David Carter is, is sufficient. I really believe linebacker will be the position of concern come fall.

UCLA Spring Media Guide released

2010-03-18T23:03:25Z

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.

Quick Q&A w/ Nikki Caldwell

2010-03-18T17:41:59Z

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...

]]> Are you happy with the draw?
Nikki Caldwell: "I'm very excited about where we're at. We're one of the 64 teams that are going to still compete in March Madness. This team has really stepped up in the past month in establishing themselves in the Pac-10. We're just looking forward to continue to extend our season."

Talk about first-round opponent N.C. State:
"When you look at North Carolina State, they're obviously well-coached. We're going to have to establish our running game. The team that establishes the transition game will have the advantage.

What can't you do against the Wolf Pack?
"we don't need to send them to the free-throw line. We're a team that defends and gets after you on the boards.

Do you see any similitarities in the two teams?
"We're two teams who are trying to establish - for them, re-establish - ourselves in the national viewership. UCLA hasnt been to the NCAA since '06. Myself being new, Kelly being new, theres a lot of newness on both teams."

How do you not look ahead to big, bad Nebraska?
"You have to look at where you're seeded and look at how you match up with certain teams. Obviously we've got to take care of business, and we're not over looking any opponent. NC State is going to be just as excited as we are. Looking at Nebraska, we've been prepped in the Pac-10. We've had the opportunity to go against some great players. We've gone against All-Americans in our conference. This team has a grit about themselves that they can take challenges and rise to the occasion. I hope we'll be able to continue on and put ourselves in postition to play Nebraska."

EXCLUSIVE: Chat with Scout's No. 11 DE Todd Barr

2010-03-18T01:12:48Z

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

]]> Jon Gold: Todd, how's your recruiting situation going?
Todd Barr: "I'm doing well - I just received an offer from Stanford last week, and that's the most recent thing. Coach told me Colorado will be offering real soon. Since I last talked to anyone, I've gotten offers from Minnesota, Northern Arizona, Stanford and then Colorado."

JG: A lot of kids grow frustrated by the recruiting process; how are you handling it?
TB: "It's a great experience, I'm not going to lie. Four years ago, I never thought I would be a prospect, maybe going to a school like UCLA, a big-time school, period. I don't want to make it such of a burden on myself. I want to enjoy it until the day it comes that I make my decision. I'm always thinking about things - where I could go, how I could fit in there- and it's a serious thing, but I have fun with it."

JG: What's most important to you when picking a college?
TB: "Education is very important, because football doesn't last forever. Relationship with the coach is a big, big thing for me. I'm going to be with him for four years, I need to be able to talk to him. Location is a big part - I want my family to attend my games. Also, can this coach get me to the next level? That's every kid's dream, and I want to play for someone who will help achieve that dream."

JG: Does UCLA's recent history scare or impress you?
TB: "People ask me this all the time - I never base a decision on a team's past. I'm going to base it on how the team is preparing to come up on the uprise. What they've achieved is already in the books. I don't care about the past."

JG: What would you bring to UCLA?
TB: "I bring the attitude of wanting to win. I don't care if I play now. I want to play to make the team win. If I don't play in a game, I'll practice 110 percent. I might not play as much as I want, but I'll play for the guys in front of me. I bring great character. I bring some talent for the game, yeah, but I don't want to be conceited."

JG: Were you impressed by UCLA's last recruiting class?
TB: "I was impresed by the class - but it didn't affect me. It kind of does, yes of course, with them coming in, when I pick a school, I have to look. But it doesn't affect my decision."

JG: What are your thoughts on redshirting?
TB: "I'm thinking about redshirting to get the full college experience. People see it as a negative thing - if I have to redshirt, that's fine for me. I can go in, get ready, get adjusted to college life - nothing is wrong with it. It's a hard situation because of course playing your first year would be great, but there's nothing wrong with redshirting."

Wayne Collett, UCLA track star, passes away

2010-03-17T20:07:50Z

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.

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During his four-year UCLA career (1968-71), Collett won Pac-8 titles in the 440-yard intermediate hurdles and 440-yard dash. In NCAA competition, he anchored three straight mile relay championship teams. He also placed second in the 440-yard intermediate hurdles in 1970, fourth in the 440-yard dash in 1971 and fourth in the 220-yard dash in 1969. The Bruins won the NCAA team title in 1971.

A member of the UCLA Hall of Fame (1992), he still ranks in UCLA's all-time Top Ten in the 400 meters (fourth at 44.54, converted from a 440y hand time), 400-meter hurdles (fourth at 48.84, converted from a 440y hand time) and the 200 meters (ninth at 20.44, converted from a 200m hand time).

In Track & Field News' world rankings, Collett ranked in the top four in the 400 meters four times between 1967 and 1972, including second in both 1971 and 1972. He also ranked No. 3 in the intermediate hurdles in 1970.

Collett was an attorney who was very active in the UCLA community. He is survived by his wife, Emily; his son, Wayne Jr.; his mother, Ruth; and his older brother, Aaron. He passed at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Stay tuned for chat with Todd Barr

2010-03-17T19:12:14Z

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

Inside UCLA Bracket Challenge up to 150+

2010-03-16T22:10:08Z

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

Long chat with Neuheisel

2010-03-16T21:24:44Z

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.

Neuheisel on Hasiak

2010-03-16T18:15:51Z

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.

Hasiak reinstated, will play spring ball

2010-03-16T07:11:55Z

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.

Cole, Bauer share weekly national honors

2010-03-16T05:07:39Z

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).

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Cole improved to 4-0, recording a career-high 15 strikeouts to lead the Bruins past Texas A&M Corpus Christi, 11-3, in the team's first game at Whataburger Field. He allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits through a season-high 7.2 innings.

Bauer struck out a career-high 15 batters in eight-plus innings, pushing his record to 3-0. He took a shutout into the ninth inning before Mississippi State struck for two runs. In UCLA's 5-2 victory over the Bulldogs, Bauer scattered three hits and issued just two walks. He improved his record to 9-0 as a starting pitcher for the Bruins (12-3 overall). He was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week for the first time this season and the fourth time in his young career.

Both Bauer and Cole have been selected to the 2010 Whataburger College Classic All-Tournament Team. Joining the Bruins' duo of right-handed pitchers on the All-Tournament Team include catcher Steve Rodriguez, second baseman Tyler Rahmatulla, outfielders Cody Keefer and Brett Krill and left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen.

Rounding out the All-Tournament Team are Mississippi State first baseman Connor Powers, Oklahoma third baseman Garrett Buechele, Texas A&M Corpus Christi shortstop Cory Ege, Oklahoma designated hitter Ross Hubbard and Oklahoma relief pitcher Jeremy Erben.

No. 12 UCLA returns to action against Oral Roberts on Friday, March 19, when the two programs open a three-game series at UCLA's Steele Field at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Game time on Friday is 6 p.m. The Bruins and Golden Eagles square off at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Inside UCLA March Madness Pool

2010-03-16T04:42:21Z