Inside UCLA with Brian Dohn

Austin update

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:54:14 -0800

Terrence Austin, who had considered competing in the high jump in UCLA's track meet in Modesto this weekend, is not entered. Austin still could compete in next weekend's Pac-10 Championships.

Back breaker

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:41:16 -0800

UCLA pole vaulter Johnny Quinn broke his back in September, but he has since recovered and set a personal-best at 17 feet, 5 inches in winning the pole vault in last weekend's USC-UCLA dual meet. He'll compete in the Modesto meet this weekend.
He was out for four months.
``I just got back about five or six weeks ago,'' Quinn said. I had to wear a brace for three months. It sucked. It was a brace that went all the way around my chest. My coaches have been great, and I had great support from everybody.''

Morgan update

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:03:26 -0800

I just talked to an LSU official who said the decision on whether J'Mison Morgan is released from his letter of intent will be made in the coming weeks. Doesn't sound like this matter will be resolved any time soon. Trent Johnson has talked to local reporters about continued talks with J'Mison Morgan's mom. Click herefor a story in today's Shreveport Times. The information on Morgan is at th end of the story.

Prince story

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:27:42 -0800

Click here for the Kevin Prince story that ran in today's paper.

Love won't participate in Orlando camp

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:30:22 -0800

Kevin Love was invited to the Orlando pre-draft camp May 27-30, but he won't participate in it.
``He's not playing ball or participating in it,'' Stan Love said. ``He's just going to get measured and those things. It's a guard kind of thing. It doesn't do anything for Kevin.
``The guards just jack the ball up. It's very difficult when you're at a camp with all the guards trying to impress. As a big guy, they're not throwing you the ball. You're not going to show anything. Private team workouts will be much better for both parties.''

More Prince

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:17:52 -0800

Brian reported last month that UCLA coaches asked Kevin Prince if he would enroll early (Prince was scheduled to enroll in January of '09), and Prince told me today that he's willing to do that. However, it's not official that Prince will enroll because UCLA needs to figure out its scholarship situation. Each football program has 85 scholarships, and the Bruins need to assess injuries, walkons who received scholarships in the Karl Dorrell era, and newcomers (UCLA has offered a scholarship to a junior college offensive lineman) to see if there is a scholarship available. The Bruins haven't reached the 25 new scholarship limit for each season, so that wouldn't be a problem.

Prince slated for early arrival?

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:27:00 -0800

I just talked to Crespi quarterback Kevin Prince, and he said he'll honor UCLA's request to enroll in school early. Prince originally was set to begin school in January, but he'll enroll in June, he told Rick Neuheisel. It's not definitive that it will happen, and I'll have more on that later.

Love bug

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:41:52 -0800

I just talked to Stan Love, and he said Kevin Love had a bad flu bug that kept him from his training regimen for three to four days. He said Kevin was supposed to get back to a full workout (in preparation for NBA team workouts) today. Kevin Love has yet to hire an agent.

Take the poll: IF Morgan ends up at UCLA, is he the missing link?

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:28:08 -0800

Perfection?

Wed, 07 May 2008 20:12:26 -0800

The UCLA women's water polo team is 30-0 and will try to extend its perfect season on Friday when it plays Pomona-Pitzer (17-11) in the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins are seeking their fourth consecutive national title.

Another Morgan article

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:47:27 -0800

Here's an article that was published in today's Advocate in Louisiana. It has comments from J'Mison Morgan's mom, who says Morgan is leaving. That makes three family members - J'Mison, brother Ronnie and mom Bianca - who all say J'Mison is requesting his release from LSU.
Click hereto read the story.
This Morgan story has drama written all over it.

Gunnin' review

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:41:57 -0800

I just got back from seeing ``Gunnin' for that No. 1 Spot.'' It was an interesting documentary following eight standout high school basketball players who have NBA aspirations - including Kevin Love, Michael Beasley and Brandon Jennings. The documentary tells each kid's story and then follows them to the Elite 24 All-Star game at the Rucker in Harlem (the game was Sept. 1, 2006). Love has more hair and even more of a baby face than he has now (he was two years younger in filming).
Love and Beasley - who are playing on opposing teams in the All-Star Game - have some great conversations. You can sneak a peak into the Love household in Lake Oswego, Oregon and even his grandma makes her film debut.
I think it's a must-see. My only problem was some of the ever-moving cameras made me a little nauseas. But, I felt like I got to know these kids a little better. You learn what a crazy youngster Beasley was in kindergarten and first grade.
The movie comes out June 28, the day after the NBA draft.

Gunnin' for No. 1

Wed, 07 May 2008 10:00:14 -0800

I am going to see the documentary ``Gunnin' for No. 1'' in an hour. Kevin Love is in the movie, so I'll have a report on it this afternoon. I'll update you as soon as possible if there's anything new on J'Mison Morgan.

Sheppard's recovery

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:12:50 -0800

Craig Sheppard, a walkon, was a heartwarming story as he moved up the depth chart from fifth-string tailback because of injuries to the running backs corps. He scored the only touchdown against Oregon.
This season, he's a fifth-string tailback again, plus he faces extensive recovery from reconstructive shoulder surgery.
``I don't know a lot of the details. I just know it's big-time surgery and a big-time recovery,'' Sheppard said.
Sheppard said his left shoulder is in an immobilizer for two weeks and will be in a sling after that.

RB Sheppard out 4-6 months; Olson has surgery

Tue, 06 May 2008 17:05:24 -0800

This is from UCLA....junior tailback Craig Sheppard had reconstructive surgery on the AC joint of his left shoulder late last week. He will be sidelined four to six months.

(So, that means the earliest he could return is early September. Or, he could be out for most of the season).

Also, senior quarterback Ben Olson underwent successful surgery on his right foot this afternoon. A screw was placed in his right fifth metatarsal. Expected recovery time is six to eight weeks.