USC Morning Buzz: Time To Answer Some Reader Questions

It’s been too long since I answered reader questions and I’m eager to do it again. Here is the first installment.of answers. As always, there are some hostile questions, so maybe it’s a good time to remind everyone these answers are only my opinions and I defer to English sportswriter Barry Glendenning to sum it up:

“Bear in mind it’s only an opinion that’s no more valid than that of anyone else … except you, obviously. Yes you, sitting there in your office or bedroom, reading this on your PC monitor, possibly with several other screens open, each of them showing something that’s probably illegal in several American states.”

On to the answers!

Q: Big Al said:

A few years ago you mentioned Henry Bibby would sometimes tell you some “interesting” stories with regard to John Wooden and Sam Gilbert during his time at ucla. Is the statue of limitations up? Can you share any of Bibby’s stories?

A: At this point, I can just say when he visited Pauley Pavilion as USC coach, the only person he felt like speaking to from UCLA was Gilbert’s wife and he’d mention how he was taken care in those days. He had a bitter view of UCLA back then and only wanted to speak to her and spoke of Sam Gilbert fondly. Bibby apparently reconciled his feelings because he showed up at a UCLA-USC game two years ago and was honored.

Q: Trojan5

I have not seen any recent articles, by you, in the DN. Have I missed them? If not, when will you be back?

A: There is not much to write about for the paper right now with school out and spring football over. However, that is why there is a blog, which always has something to discuss. And practice starts again in about two months.

Q: Mrhawaii

Do you think “Swanny” will be more open with the press/public or are we in for many more ” in the bunker-we know best” years?

A: I would like to think he will be more open with the press and public. But he will probably be like Pat Haden, who started out extremely cooperative with the press and then gradually became more and more aloof. He also clashed with some boosters. I’ve heard conflicting stories about Swann from people who have known him. It seems people either really like him or don’t like him. Not a lot of middle ground. I don’t know him at all. So we’ll see how things develop.

Q: UCLA = Lost Cause

Do the questions submitted reflect directly on you and the quality of your blog? If so, is it time that you acted more professionally?

A: I’m being asked to act more professionally by someone with the name “UCLA = Lost Cause.”

The questions submitted are usually fine. It’s the arguing that takes place that mucks up the submissions. I don’t feel responsible for that. I’m not big on censoring commenters as long as they are not inappropriate. And I’m not sure what acting more professionally means, other than you disagree with my opinions. That’s fine with me.

BUSH.PUSH

Q: YOLO 4 SC

What food did you eat to cause that look of indigestion on your face in the famous Bush-Push photo? A: There were no problems from food. In those days, Notre Dame used to serve the best barbecued chicken in any pressbox. But the Irish discontinued it a few years ago.

A: I think my expression is based more upon the concern of the Notre Dame fans storming the field and ensuing mayhem that might block my path to the locker rooms. If you notice I am not wearing my press credential around my neck because I was worried it would be torn off in a celebration. And above all else, I wanted to talk to Pete Carroll and Co. after what was one of the top 3 games I’ve ever attended in my lifetime.

Q: marvgoux1

What place do you predict USC’s basketball team will finish in the Pac 12 next year now that we know who is returning?

A: Was it only two months ago I was in Raleigh, N.C., and everyone was talking about how next year was going to be the year no matter how USC did against Providence?

I wasn’t too concerned about the four players who transferred but Julian Jacobs was the man for USC. Just remember that Washington game where USC blew a big lead after he sprained his ankle.

I know people think I am too hard on Andy Enfield but how did not anticipate a possible loss of Jacobs? Some of you might be thinking, “But why would Enfield think Jacobs would turn pro when he won’t get drafted?”

Because a year ago, Jacobs wanted to transfer. And guess what, I’ve heard Enfield originally wavered on whether he wanted to keep him. Doh! He knew Jacobs was concerned about his role, so he should have been recruiting a point guard. The entire staff claimed they were looking at point guards more than a year ago when they realized Jordan McLaughlin is not a true point guard.

Now a word about the loss of Nikola Jovanovic. Talk about a class teammate who didn’t cause waves. And don’t forget his seven double-doubles and 28-point performance over then-first place Washington on Jan. 30.

USC returns Chimezie Metu and Bennie Boatwright but there is little after that in the frontcourt. And there is a point guard who is not a pure point guard (McLaughlin). And as you probably know, I’m not a fan of Enfield’s coaching in three seasons.

So this is a long way of saying USC is probably going to finish somewhere between fifth and seventh.

Q: Bucket Owns Ted

In true Wolfian fashion how could miss so bad on the numerous post about the value of Art Briles and your attempt to call out USC and the lack of interest in him. There have been many people who “know” college football that understood the cesspool that Briles had develop and would not touch him with a ten foot pole. So did you know about Briles and just use it cause it fit your agenda or do you truly have no “inside” connections into the college football world.
#sgtshultzofcollegefootball

A: I did advocate that USC “interview” Art Briles in 2014. Here’s the link. Unlike Pat Haden, I think it’s good to interview a lot of candidates. Maybe he could have learned something from Briles, who had the No. 1 offense in the country in 2014.

I am not an expert about things that happened in Waco, Texas. Who are the many people that “knew” two years ago? I don’t recall the national college football media writing a lot of stories about Baylor more than two years ago? No matter. I am happy to plead ignorance. I have no inside connections to the world of Baylor.

But I do have some inside connections to the world of USC. And I was aware of Steve Sarkisian’s personal issues just like many inside the USC athletic dept. who chose to feign ignorance. This is where you lose credibility. You are trying to attack me for suggesting Briles as a candidate (not exactly a controversial idea two years ago) as if the disastrous Sarkisian hire never happened. USC is just now recovering from that. And you ignored it. This is why you are a fan.

57 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Time To Answer Some Reader Questions

  1. Scott recommended USC interview art briles! Funny! Maybe he isn’t the genius, he thinks he is.

    • I’d have a lot more respect for him, if he would just once owned up to his mistake. But to no one’s surprise he didn’t. He says the reason Haden should have interviewed him was to pick his brain, and nothing else. Yeah right!

      • Wolf exhibits many of the traits of someone who is incompetent. One of these traits is inability to admit when they’re wrong.

        • Yet you reacted the same way when you were critcized. And you proved incompetent at baseball so you proved your point.

          • Incompetent at baseball. This comes from a guy who’s mom worked the snack bar in order for him to get on the team. Is there anything you’re good at Wolf, aside from stalking every cheerleader in the Pac-12. What’s Amanda Plufgrad doing these days?

          • We know you aren’t good at baseball. Did you get a job handing out jock straps at the local high school?

          • Says the journalist that has the journalistic skills of middle school student.

          • Goo-goo, did someone pour Tapatio all over your wheaties this morning??? cause you are on FIRE!! you got the Dummies talking to themselves and sounding totally confused as to who’s WHO!!!

            #GooGooAndWolfTheOne-TwoPunch

      • Instead St. Pat decided to pay a huge premium (Udub officials must be still LOL) for a known HC with a alcohol problem. Brillant!

      • What did you know about the Baylor program up until the press finally got hold of the sexual abuse cover up, which I might add, was months after the fact in Baylor & the police hiding it? Come on man, what did you know then?

        • SW brings on his own problems and always has. He’s universally known as Mr. Negativity around here, regardless of what you think. This is the world he created and the truth is, many USC posters supply better info around here than SW, whose main specialty is asking simple questions, not supplying info.

          He didn’t know diddly about Baylor and he didn’t know diddly about Briles, yet he criticized Haden for not going after a creep who wouldn’t have been good for USC in the least. Then, making himself look even more stupid, he said USC “could have learned something” from Briles. He just said that today.

          If you want to buy that poppycock, go ahead. The rest of us don’t have do anything but laugh at that rubbish.

        • My point is wolf never admits when he is wrong. Art briles has always seemed like a sketchy character, and there have been way too many problems with discipline at Baylor going back along way. Plus art briles with his thick Texas drawl would have been a terrible fit at USC. It’s not about hiring the best coach. It’s about hiring the best fit.

          • When have you ever admitted you were wrong? You won’t admit David is right about your latest rant.

      • I’d have a lot more respect for you if you didn’t talk to yourself, XtraStupid32.

        • Why does gt22 always get defensive when people criticize SW? I know why!

          • Why are you so defensive about your insane behavior when your handle is “Xtracrazy32”?

          • Wolf is your typical hack journalist. He can dish it out but he cannot take it. Pansy!

          • You are the one who freaked out when given a mild critique. You are the ultimate hypocrite.

  2. Damn Buckets Owns Ted! The blogger really made it a point to take you back to the woodshed. Warring against the pen is always an exercise in futility, even if the one with the pen is thirdrate at best.

  3. SW promoting that Haden waste time interviewing bad actor Briles for the sake of learning (what exactly?) is hilarious. Keep digging down Scott. You’ll get there.

  4. Who are you kidding Wolf? You are the most despised “journalist” that covers U.S.C. That’s why you’re always on the outside looking in when it comes to “inside information”.

      • No, but a jounalist needs to have credibility and respectibilty, which Wolf has none.

        • Then say that. Saying a journalist should suck up like the White House press corps does to Obama diminishes your legitimate arguments.

          • First of all, who the hell are you? The journalism monitor? Second of all, I don’t expect Wolf, or anyone else, to act like the White House Press Corps, which a majority of them are a total joke. Third, anytime someone on this “blog” posts something negative about the journalistic integrity of one Scott Wolf, you get butt hurt in a hurry. As someone who frequents this “blog” you sound just like the White House “suck ups” that you just mentioned. The only difference is, is that you are constantly sucking up to a no talent hack like Wolf. Pucker up sweetie.

          • I’ve criticized Haden many times on this blog, so know I am not pat Haden. But hey SW, we weren’t born yesterday. When gt22 always has the same view as SW that is a red flag. When gt22 always gets butthurt when people make fun of, or criticize SW that is another red flag. Also there have been times when you have responded to me like 10 seconds after I posted, and that is another red flag. There are just too many red flags here. It’s obvious that wolf is is gt22.

          • Really, when was that? You always have the same views as Pat Haden that is a red flag. Or could you be Pat Haden’s son? That makes even more sense!

          • Gee you can sure dish out the criticism but you can’t take it, you brainless rah rah. No wonder you washed out of the minors. The minute a coach told you to try something I’m sure you reacted the same way.

          • Gee Scottie, did you interpret my comment as a microagression? Go to your safe space sweetie. As far as me washing in out in the minor leagues, did you talk to BruinRob for that gem of a comeback? You’re so lazy you cannot come up with some decent material to defend yourself. Oh, I forgot, you’re the king of cup and paste journalism. Like I told that walking brain donor, the last time you were in a baseball uniform was when your mom dressed you up for Halloween. One more thing, I don’t think anyone here is going to get you confused with Gary Klein or Michael Lev.

          • We can only hope! I think he will be more like the Mattress Girl at Columbia wearing his wounds like a badge of honor and never leave.

          • Yep….with a boatload of money, college paid for, and a great job now. Are you enrolled at summer school at Cerritos C.C.?

  5. I love the blogger’s snarky response to Lost Cause U. You’re the only “professional” writer u clown. That’s his point!

  6. Classes may be out at USC, but on this blog, the West Valley Schoolmaster just took some fools back to school.

    But look at these comments. I’m reminded of Moses bringing the 10 Commandments down from the mountain, only to smash the tablets in disgust at the sight of his people with the golden calf.

  7. Thank you Mr. Wolf!

    I am actually a huge fan of yours, as is EVERYBODY who reads this blog EVERY SINGLE DAY of the week!

    No matter if we agree or not, it is always entertaining – which is why we are here – so here’s to YOU!

    FIGHT ON BROTHER WOLFY!!!

    • I don’t believe it, I 100% agree with YoYo. Helen must be flying around somewhere.

      • I only said that because he responded to my salt laden reader question with honor and dignity – for that I give him a three cheers to WOLFY!

        #EverybodyNeedsAHugSometimes

  8. Scott my post was exactly how you report, full of snark and speculation trying to get people to respond. Mission accomplished by your reply. It is obvious you have found a niche feeding the UCLA fans and bravo for your minor success. I am a fan of USC and college football as a whole including UCLA. One thing I can always spot though is a turd in the punch bowl.
    #yourafloater

    • now, now. you poked the wolf and got mauled….TAKE IT LIKE A MAN!!

      watching you Dummies try to match wits with the great wolfman is like watching someone put on a suit made of lamb chops and go into a wolf’s den!!!!

      #KamikazeMission

      • Keep the dream alive. Your drivel is actually a little better then Wolf’s.
        #wolfprodigy

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