First Choice

Two ways to look at this. Never let it be said players don't run Ben Howland's program. USC may be accused of prostitution here, but UCLA appears to be in the business as well.

Or a 3rd way to look at it...the truth -

This is total horsecrap. Although totally unsurprising, journalistic integrity has never been a requisite feature of this blog. Nice job trying to deflect from USC's continued and blatant flouting of the NCAA rules. UCLA basketball is one of the cleanest programs in the country on you know it. Spouting off totally unsubstantiated fabrications from your tiny little perch over here makes you look petty and ignorant.

Any schools that passed on Mayo, for whatever reasons, obviously dodged a bullet.

I know that over the last several days trojans have been trying to justify the taking of an obvious red flag by trying to claim that everyone cheats or would have taken OJ Payo.

Well what I have learned, over the years, is when evaluating situations to adhere to Occam's Razor....

Everyone and their mother knew that Guillory tried shopping Mayo to Ucla prior to him going to sc. Kevin Love had nothing to do with OJ Mayo not being at UCLA. OJ Mayo and Rodney Guillory had everything to do with OJ Mayo not being at UCLA.

Regards,

Nachos

If you think Howland is the type to let his players tell him who and who not to recruit, you're TRULY out of touch.

Looks like the UGLA dregs have surfaced on the site, and are gracing us with their usual self-absorption. But it's cool, we're different over here from Dohn's blog, we welcome differing opinions.

Speaking of which, I cannot wait for the Wooden books to hit the market after John passes, and then we can ask how clean his program was.

But arguing who is cleaner, SC or UGLA, is a little like asking who is prettier, Barbara Walters or Hillary Clinton. Is there really a winner?

What's up with all the Westwood boys trolling this blog trying to pick fights?

I do like how Brian Dohn semi-redeems himself from the disgrace of making the cheesy "Payo" pun by referencing a principle of a 14th century logician. It's cute.

"LAWYER JOHN said:

Looks like the UGLA dregs have surfaced on the site, and are gracing us with their usual self-absorption. But it's cool, we're different over here from Dohn's blog, we welcome differing opinions.

Speaking of which, I cannot wait for the Wooden books to hit the market after John passes, and then we can ask how clean his program was.

But arguing who is cleaner, SC or UGLA, is a little like asking who is prettier, Barbara Walters or Hillary Clinton. Is there really a winner?"

Yes, UCLA is the winner. PERIOD. USC follows the SEC code of conduct - If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'.

Nice Post Lawyer John - you serve your profession well. You have supplied a response full of deflection, and rhetoric that completely avoids the point that USC is dirtier than the Yangtze River.

Howland was gifted to fUCLA by Adidas so stop with the piety; it’s all about big business. Benny’s incentive laden contract makes him a craven whore just like every one else. He would have taken Mayo in a NY minute if that Tub of Love hadn’t been afraid of a little competition. These new-age bRuins are a dismal and pathetic lot. At least John Wooden-Sam Gilbert were honest in their crookedness.
FIGHT ON!

Hey Locoweed,

I know that you are lashing out because you identify with Oj Mayo.

Both you and he wish that you could have gone to UCLA but neither of you was up to snuff. I am sure that it still hurts that you had to settle for the university of second choice.

Regards,

Nachos

The Loves were consulted regarding Mayo. They told Howland to stay away because Mayo is dirty. They were not given the final decision. Looks like the Love's were right and gave Howland sage advice. Nice spin on it though. USC = Spin-U

So basically you're saying our recruit was smarter than your head coach? Man that sucks.

The truth about the Loves real concern will be revealed when the Tub of Love becomes a permanent fixture on some NBA bench.

scott, whether intentional or not, your post seems to insinuate that howland would have taken mayo if not for love saying he didnt want to play with him. any chance u can clear this up so we can fully understand what youre saying?

aahh since bruinz are basketball fans, ive been checking this blog almost every day cuz of the mayo stuff =)

and like... isnt this gonna put a strain on their friendship or something... arent love and mayo good friends? didnt they talk on the phone all the time during the season? for what reason, are u claiming, did love not want to play with mayo? uuhh draaama lol

The opinions of the Trojan Faithful seem extremely important to Burbank Bruin, TMItime, 13-9 and Dohn Eats Nachos.

BRUINzor,
You may want to submit your questions in the next open forum. BTW, my brother and you are proof that a handful of bRUINS are not sanctimonious dorks.

Schools should have been wary of OJ Mayo given all the dubious rumors surrounding his amateur status. If you recruit a guy like that, you take your chances. The bottom line is with all that USC has at stake, particularly its image and good name, Coach Floyd and the Athletic Department should have scrutinized OJ Mayo more closely, before and continuing with his enrollment at USC.

Caveat emptor.

Scott, you know are doing a good job when both UCLA and USC fanatics take exception to your work!

Fight On! And Go Bruins!

Geez, is there anything more irrational in life than a sports fan acting as if he has intelligence. And then double that by having SC and UGLA Einsteins debating the respective merits of their schools. Getouttahere!

But along with the time-tested debates of whether God really gives a hoot to allow humans' spirits to continue on (pray that He/She does), or how John F. Kennedy was killed, or if Bobby was killed because he was going to end the Viet Nam War, there is the added intrigue of whether UGLA would have won the national championship if O.J. Mayo had gone there. Can you imagine the 6'5" O.J. defending the flanks instead of the overwhelmed Collison out on the wing?-- Could have happened 'MIDGET-BEARS,' but then like the mysteries above, we really won't know for sure, will we?

Lawyer John,

I'd rather lose in the FF than lose scholarships and recruits and then face sanctions. At least we have a chance again next year. You'll have...that's right, Lil' Romeo, he was like part of that Derozan package, right? Well, if you guys have any class left and let DD out of his NLI then good luck getting to the tourney with Lil' Romeo at the helm.

And Trojan RAB:

It's not your opinions we're after. It's watching your basketball hopes flush down the toilet. If it's too much for you to take, just tune out of the BB talk and wait until September when you can berate us about football.

Keep in mind that OJ and Love have the same number of National Championships: ZERO

Fucla

Ah, well if 13-9 doesn't want the opinions of the rest of us then it's definitely a desperate cry for attention.

And just look at you with your big tough "if it's too much for you to take, just tune out of the BB talk" ultimatum, I almost fell out of my chair laughing.

Please keep those post coming, you are just too adorable for words.

Scott, instead of relying on unnamed sources (whose credibility cannot be judged), you could pick up the phone and make a few calls to speak with Love or Howland to confirm or deny your sources. Mayo and Guillory could be called, too. That Johnson fellow might even know, and he sure is talking. Maybe you get a response or maybe a "no comment." But, you apparently didn't bother. I guess its better to spread rumors rather than to be a journalist.

As for Mayo, some college was going to gamble on him, if not USC. I am not sure whether he took any extra benefits or, if he did, whether USC knew. However, the unfettered access apparently afforded to Guillory is troubling after what happened to Trepagnier.