June 2011 Archives
I recently had a chance to watch linebacker Jabari Ruffin of Downey High. With no pads it is always dangerous to project a player. But Ruffin certainly moved well and looked extremely athletic in drills. I could envision him at several positions, which is important because USC needs versatility in the era of scholarship reductions.
Will the most recent USC commit play tight end or offensive line?
Some intriguing questions here regarding position changes and Mike Garrett.
Former USC tailback Reggie Bush does not intend to return his Heisman Trophy, according to this report.
Which recruit that USC missed out on in recent seasons hurt the most? I say without a doubt who I think it was in this segment.
USC coach Lane Kiffin probably won't be happy to hear that Oregon is featured in EA Sports' NCAA Football 12 game demo released today. Texas, Alabama and Florida State are also featured.
No doubt Kiffin will think Oregon's uniforms contributed to this decision.
Former USC basketball player Marcus Simmons will have a free-agent workout with the New Jersey Nets later this week.
South Carolina won its second consecutive College World Series title. The Gamecocks will now try to threepeat. The last team to do that? USC, of course. The real one. The Trojans won five straight titles from 1970-74. But when will they return to a College World Series?
USC won more games (168) during the Pac-10's 33-year era than any school. The next-best school was Washington (157). The Trojans lost 75 games while the Huskies lost 105.
Here is one transfer that Lane Kiffin could have used at USC. But getting a release to USC from Tennessee was out of the question.
Here's the autopsy results on the death of Alabama offensive lineman Aaron Douglas, who played for Lane Kiffin at Tennessee and nearly signed with USC last year.
USC is the only Pac-10 school with a first round selection in four of the past five NBA drafts (courtesy Bob Cantu's twitter).
Defensive lineman Greg Townsend is another incoming freshman that must achieve a qualifying score on the SAT before he enrolls.
We have mentioned before that USC's athletic dept. is self-sufficient, which is worth remembering when looking at this chart of schools that receive subsidies.
The Pac-10 officially becomes the Pac-12 on Friday. The excitement is overwhelming so with that in mind, here's a look at some of the Pac-12 Network's options in becoming a viable channel.
Wrapping up the previous forum with the defense the topic in this segment.
USC's Nia Ali was named the Pac-10's women's track athlete of the year by the conference this morning. Ali won the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA championships and set a school-record in the high jump this season.
With NCAA scholarship reductions in effect, it will not be surprising if some recruits listed as committed to USC do not actually end up with the Trojans. We hear wide receiver Jaydon Mickens of Los Angeles Dorsey will probably end up elsewhere with USC initiating that decision. It's worth noting that neither Mickens nor wide receiver Jordan Payton of Oaks Christian attended last week's Rising Stars camp.
USC track athletes Jessica Davis and Josh Mance qualified for the World Junior Championships while former Trojans high jumper qualified for the World Championships.
Davis qualified in the 200 meters while Mance made it in the 400. Williams cleared 7-91/4, the top mark in the world this year. You could also throw in Allyson Felix (400 meters), who never competed for USC but did not attend the school.
It's time to have a contest giveaway. But we need an idea for the contest. So if you have one, post it here.
USC is going for its second straight College World Series title when it faces Florida in a best-of-three series in Omaha. The University of South Carolina, that is.
Some former Trojan players of the past must be stunned that baseball fans might start thinking of South Carolina first when someone says "USC baseball."
It's usually quiet this time of the year but I'm sure you can find something to talk about.
Bishop Gorman plays Mater Dei in basketball today at 4:15 p.m. in the Corona del Mar tournament. Bishop Gorman features Shabazz Muhmmad, one of the top players in the West. He is son of former USC player Ron Holmes. No word if Lakers coach Mike Brown's sons will be there for Mater Dei.
In this segment a basketball question.
Yes, we are answering even more questions today!
USC swimmer Katinka Hosszu, a three-time NCAA and Pac-10 Champion and five-time All-American, was nominated for an ESPY in the category of Best Female College Athlete.
USC baseball player Chris Metzger and tennis player Jaak Poldma were named Pac-10 spring scholar athletes of the year. Here's the full list:
Oregon is not going to follow USC's lead in dealing with the NCAA. The Eugene Register Guard reports The Ducks hired attorney Michael Glazier, who is known as ``the cleaner'' for helping reduce penalties for schools that violated NCAA rules.
The 76ers are probably the best possible team for USC's Nikola Vucevic. Philadelphia center Spencer Hawes is a restricted free agent and reserve centerTony Battie is an unrestricted free agent.
``I liked him from the moment I saw him at the Chicago pre-draft camp,'' 76ers coach Doug Collins said. ``He is a hard working, skilled big man with a desire to succeed who gives us more size in the front court, which is a need. He is a player that we are ecstatic to have on our roster and I look forward to coaching him.''
Nikola Vucevic was asked tonight if he knew he would be selected by the 76ers?
``I kind of knew but not 100 percnet for sure,'' he said. ``I kind of knew, so I had an idea where I could go.''
Here's Nikola Vucevic after getting picked by the 76ers.
``I want to say that this was by far the greatest moment of my life. When I heard my name called, I was just going to hold myself, I had to cry a little bit and hug my parents and my agent. It was a great feeling. I'm looking forward to the next step now. It's just starting now and I'm going to work as hard as I ever did now to play at the next level.''
Just as we mentioned earlier today, the 76ers selected USC forward Nikola Vucevic with the 16th pick in the NBA draft.
USC athletic director Pat Haden spoke about the hiring of Frank Cruz as baseball coach:
``Frank Cruz is the kind of person we want working in the athletic department. He is a man of high character and integrity. As the season went along, the team played better. We finished seventh in the conference as opposed to 10th a year ago. If you look at the statistics, there was empirical proof that we were improving. The parents and kids love him. It is going to take us a while to get there since he inherited an awkward roster, but we think we have the right guy for the job. He is intent on proving us right.''
Incoming freshmen George Farmer and Marqise Lee were part of this morning's players' workout, which included a run from USC to the Coliseum.
The 76ers, who own the 16th pick, are being mentioned a lot today as a team that might pick USC forward Nikola Vucevic. If he lasts that long.
USC incoming freshmen J.R. Tavai and Antwaun Woods must receive passing SAT scores before they meet NCAA Clearinghouse requirements. Steve Dillon, who signed late, is taking summer school in the Antelope Valley.
Former USC player Lonnie White offers a first-person account of how he accepted $14,000 in some form of ``benefits,'' during his college career, including $5,000 in a brown bag for season tickets.
White was a sportswriter at the Los Angeles Times, worked at the Daily Trojan when I was a USC student and also taught a class at USC.
Hopefully the NFL will settle its lockout soon. Caesar's been much too quiet lately.
Former USC women's basketball stars Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson were among 30 players as finalists for the top 15 WNBA players of all time.
The Galen Center hosts graduation ceremonies for Crenshaw High School today at 1 p.m. featuring speaker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Like Staples Center, Galen Center does not feature a statue of Abdul-Jabbar either.
The USC Rising Stars football camp starts today on campus. Since linemen rarely get a lot of buzz, two players scheduled to attend are center Matt Cochran and defensive tackle Aziz Shittu, both from Atwarter, Calif.
A reader reports walking by the USC track this morning and seeing UCLA tailback Johnathan Franklin and some other Bruins players working out. Anyone else see this?
Can't ignore today's story on Oregon paying $25,000 for out-of-date recruiting information.
ESPN analyst Jon Gruden will conduct a one-on-one film session and workout with former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the hour-long special ``Gruden's QB Camp - Terrelle Pryor'' on Thursday night.
Forget about the NCAA violations Pryor committed. Gotta coach him up for the supplemental draft.
Is USC going to do anything about the fact Jamie McCourt is on the Board of Trustees or just hope no one notices the rest of her five-year term?
It's been reported her own estimates are that she and her husband withdrew $141 million from the Dodgers including salaries.
USC's website does not mention the Dodgers in McCourt's listing on the Board of Trustees. Instead, it says she is the founder of ``Jamie Enterprises.''
Louisville (?!?!?) made more profit than USC in football? I suspect that is because of the way accounting numbers are massaged. But it is true according to this chart.
You've got 90 minutes before you can call Reggie Bush and ask a question.
The Arizona Diamondbacks fired minor league field coordinator Chad Kreuter, according to the Arizona Republic
``I felt like it wasn't the right fit,'' farm director Mike Bell said.
What compelled the Diamondbacks to hire him in the first place?
Maybe the best player at USC's basketball camp was Chris Wood, a 6-7 forward from Knight High School in Palmdale. Wood is a 2013 recruit.
UPDATED: Wood is transferring to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., which would be his third school in three years.
If you attended the USC basketball camp this weekend, the most surprising player was probably Broderick Jones, who was outstanding for an 8th grader. He is listed between 6-8 and 6-10 and will attend St. Bernard's High School in Playa del Rey. The sleeper of the camp was probably Taj Johnson of Fairfax, who played well throughout the camp.
If you are in the Paso Robles area, USC assistant coach Bob Cantu starts his basketball camp tomorrow. Here's the website for information.
Reggie Bush and Matt Barkley are topics in this segment.
What do you do when you have to give back a crystal football? You break out the 1995 Cotton Bowl Trophy in the lobby of Heritage Hall. I wish someone would stick a Unitas Award in the lobby from Carson Palmer's 2002 season, when the trophy was just Johnny Unitas' shoulder and arm.
The sunlight reflects off the 2004 Associated Press championship trophy in Heritage Hall. USC remains national champions from that season because the AP did not vacate the title.
Yes, we did answer a few more questions today.
A team from Desert Ridge High School (Mesa, Ariz.) won today's 7-on-7 tournament at USC's football camp. Desert Ridge defeated Rancho Verde in the championship game.
Rancho Verde defeated Westchester in the semifinals while Desert Ridge defeated Carson, which features wide receiver Darreus Rogers, who already committed to USC.
In other games, Carson defeated Santa Fe, Knight defeated Calvary Chapel (Downey) and Bishop Amat while Westchester defeated Morningside.
USC coach Lane Kiffin went on the radio with Jack Arute and former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, who went from being one of the most unfriendly coaches to the media to a member of the media.
Anyways, Kiffin was asked about the tension of last Saturday's NCAA hearing.
``It's not real tense,'' Kiffin said. ``I think it's just really trying to get through all the information so that everything can be presented in specific situations that everybody can understand what really happened and was there an intent to go against the rules or were there just honest mistakes made?''
And when will Kiffin find out his punishment?
``Well, I think they said four to six weeks, I believe,'' Kiffin said. ``I know at times it has taken longer. I think ours took maybe four months at USC, the last one. This case wasn't near as long in length as far as being in there. I think maybe the football aspect was four hours comparable to, I think, we were close to three days in the USC one. So I don't know the time frame. I just know what they told us.''
Kiffin said everyone at the hearing brought an attorney.
``All parties have attorneys in it, from the university to the head coaches, in this case basketball and football, to assistant coaches, football assistant coaches and basketball,'' he said. ``So [there are] a lot of people in the room, including (SEC) commissioner (Mike) Slive and a lot of others. I would guess there were probably 40 people in the room.''
No new seats at the Coliseum (of course). In fact, the Coliseum will not make any more improvements according to this report. Surprise!
The Pac-12 announced this afternoon that it moved next year's track-and-field championships from USC to Oregon. Now that looks like something with Phil Knight's fingerprints on them.
The conference said it wanted the track championships and swimming championships, which will be held at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash., at Olympic trial locations.
``As we enter into an Olympic year and celebrate the commitment and excellence we have in Olympic sports we thought it was important to align Pac-12 Championship events with Olympic trial locations in 2011-12," Pac-10 deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Kevin Weiberg said. ``It was an excellent opportunity for us to provide our student-athletes with the unique experience of competing in venues that will be hosting these very important events with the USOC.''
Of course, Nike had nothing to do with it.
Perhaps the most suprising detail of those Directors' Cup standing I posted earlier is that Cal ranks fourth nationally. Cal? The school that tried to kill baseball (among other sports) and couldn't even play last week's Super Regional on campus because it lacked proper facilities? Cal? Which had a football locker room the size of a utility closet and with the amenities of a 1920's locker room?
For a school that often seems indifferent about sports, a surprise indeed.
The NCAA informed Kentucky that coach John Calipari did not pass the 500-win mark because Memphis vacated 42 victories when he was the Tigers' coach.
But Kentucky should have done what USC did when Henry Bibby was basketball coach. Bibby told the school's sports information dept. that he did not want the 0-9 record he compiled when he was named interim coach after Charlie Parker was fired. So for nearly 10 years, the USC basketball media guide incorrectly omitted nine losses from Bibby's record.
The official Pac-10 and NCAA records did not match USC's own won-loss record for Bibby during this period.
USC ranks 12th in the latest standings for the Directors' Cup, one spot ahead of UCLA. Baseball is yet to be factored into the standings, so it will be interesting to see which school finishes first.
Stanford already clinched first place. Cal ranks fourth.
ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford spoke this morning about USC forward Nikola Vucevic.
``A guy that's really risen, in my mind, the last really month is Nikola Vucevic out of USC. And I think some of that, frankly, had to do with that he measured to be a legitimate NBA center at the Chicago pre‑draft camp. He was 6'11", 7'4" wing span, and he had the standing reach of an NBA center. And there are so many teams creating size that those guys can rise on draft day.''
Ford has Vucevic going 14th to Houston in his mock draft.
Washington guard Venoy Overton, who originally committed to USC under then-coach Tim Floyd, was arrested Thursday afternoon for promoting prostitution, a second-degree felony. Here are the details.
Last week Oregon worked out with military-style drill instructors for workouts that combined team building with strength and conditioning workouts. How long until USC does it since Lane Kiffin's already switched to morning practices and unsuccessfully tried to wear alternate uniforms for next season?
Here's quarterback Matt Barkley on whether he would go to USC again if he could do it over again?
``Yeah, yeah. I absolutely would make the decision again,'' Barkley told Max Kellerman. ``Growing up in Southern California I've always wanted to come here so I guess I had a biased opinion when I was getting recruited
``Like I said before I really do believe it's one of the best ways to prepare you for the NFL with the style of offense we run and being in such a media market like LA.''
Does that mean Barkley is turning pro?
``I can't answer that right now,'' he said.
USC's basketball camp will also feature Broderick Jones, an eighth-grader who is listed anywhere from 6-8 to 6-10. He will attend St. Bernard's High School in the fall.
USC safety T.J. McDonald, defensive end Nick Perry, offensive tackle Matt Kalil and wide receiver Robert Woods (as an all-purpose player) were named to the Lindy's All-Pac-12 team. Defensive tackle Christian Tupou made the second team.
Here's the full team:
USC quarterback Matt Barkley was asked by ESPN radio host Max Kellerman if NCAA sanctions hurt the Trojans and helped Oregon?
"We still got the No. 1 recruit in the country, the No. 1 wide receiver in California in George Farmer,'' Barkley said. ``I don't think they're getting all the talent at all. They definitely do have a lot of talent and they have a system that works up in Oregon, but at the same time I have a lot of weapons in my arsenal this year and we're going to use those to full capacity.''
The Los Angeles Sport Council is holding a summit to try and prevent ``future fan behavior incidents'' today. The summit includes ``venue general managers; team senior management; venue operations managers; law enforcement/public safety command personnel; parking and security management personnel, and others involved in the staging of major spectator events in Southern California.''
Everyone knows the pro careers of guys like Mark Sanchez and Clay Matthews. But former USC walk-on Chris Bocage, who started out as a manager but made the team in 2004, had 182 return yards last weekend for the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League.
Last month, Bocage debuted for the Blaze with four touchdowns.
We hear the Boston Celtics are extremely high on USC forward Nikola Vucevic, which means they might have to move up from the current spot at No. 25.
Finally finishing up last week's questions. Woof! Woof!
There is an interesting group of high school basketball players attending USC's camp this weekend besides football player Arik Armstead, a former Lakers son, an international player and some top local recruits.
Here's some of the names:
A reader who attended the coaches' tour said that Lane Kiffin pronounced by last name as ``Woof'' during one meeting. That year in Tennessee must have affected his pronuniciations.
Time for more questions in the post-Football 101 part of the week. One per person please.
USC's top-rated football commitment, lineman Arik Armstead, will be on campus Friday to play in the Trojans' Elite basketball camp at the Galen Center. Armstead (6-8, 280) could be a two-sport player at USC if Lane Kiffin allows it.
We almost forgot that today was the much-anticipated ``Trojan Football 101 for Ladies,'' which was attended by more than 300 participants who got to see Heritage Hall, the Coliseum, meet the entire coaching staff along with safety Jawanza Starling.
My original post on this event got buried by the NCAA's rejection of USC's appeal.
So let me once again wonder how they regressed from using the term ``women'' 20 years ago when Larry Smith's wife created the event to ``ladies'' today? Is this the 1950's? If they wanted a new slogan, consult Hayley McQueen of Sky Sports News, who coined, ``Tackling Football In Heels.''
One of the top prospects in the country, Shabazz Muhammad, will take an official visit to USC on Sept. 3. He is the son of former USC basketball player Ron Holmes.
NBA personnel say USC forward Nikola Vucevic will be selected between the ninth and 17th picks in the NBA draft and some teams are looking to move up that pick below those spots in order to try and draft Vucevic.
Tackling those answers on a beautiful June afternoon.
Matt Barkley's odds of winning the Heisman Trophy are 45-1 according to Bodog.com. Robert Woods of winning are 80-1. Here's the full list:
With camp season under way, it is worth noting USC's offered only one quarterback so far (Gunner Kiel of Columbus, Ind.) but three tight ends (Ricky Parks of Hogansville, Ga., Kelvin Rainey of Yulee, Fla., and Kent Taylor Land 'O Lakes, Fla.).
What would happen if all three committed with the 15 scholarship limit? That's where the real value of what a commitment is worth (nothing) would be illustrated.
Some of the top basketball recruits in the nation will be at the University of Virginia this week for the NBA Players Assn. camp. Among those in attendance will be USC targets Gabe York of Orange Lutheran and Shabazz Muhammad, the son of former USC player Ron Holmes. Also attending is Katin Reinhardt of Mater Dei, who committed to USC and changed his mind.
Could USC delay NCAA sanctions until the Ohio State and North Carolina cases are completed? That's asked in this segment.
Former USC defensive lineman Malik Jackson is ranked No. 84 in Rivals.com's top 100 players.
UC Irvine plays Virginia at 1 p.m. (PT) today with the winner going to the College World Series. I note this today because there were some people who recommended USC hire coaches like George Horton (Oregon), Dave Serrano (Cal State Fullerton) or UCLA's John Savage.
But none of the them are still playing today like Mike Gillespie.
Tennessee's NCAA hearing featured former football coach Lane Kiffin, former basketball Bruce Pearl and former athletic director Mike Hamilton. Ohio State's hearing (whenever it happens) will no doubt feature former coach Jim Tressel.
Would USC's hearing turned out differently if Mike Garrett attended it as the former athletic director if the university fired him because of violations involving Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo?
It might have made the failure to monitor charge stick less. And who knows what Garrett said in the actual hearings that might have hurt the image of USC before the committee on infractions?
If Max Nikias were the USC president a year earlier things might have been much different.
Actor Matthew McConaughey narrates a commercial for the new Longhorn Network with the following words: ``We are Texas. It's not just a motto. It's the pride of the Lone Star State. Burnt orange in our veins.''
That must be why he lives in Malibu.
Another reader is believes Ohio State will not suffer the same penalties as USC.
Here's Pete Carroll on 710-AM regarding the NCAA's denial of USC's appeal.
``[The NCAA has] to do what they do. They figure out how the thing is supposed to work.
``I don't agree with much of any of it. It's unfortunate that kids, years and years after, are punished for what the NCAA is dealing with from years and years before. That's the most unfortunate thing . . . kids that were in junior high at the time, or in grade school, are paying the price for it."
You ask, we answer in this segment that hits an array of subject.
Utah raised ticket prices as much as 24 percent for next season as it transitions to the Pac-12.
The USC women's track team, led by Nia Ali's victory in the 100-meter hurdles, finished sixth at the NCAA Track and Field Championships. The men's team finished 12th.
The NCAA hearing into allegations regarding Lane Kiffin and the Tennessee football program lasted more than four hours Saturday in Indianapolis.
``It was a very fair process," Kiffin told the Knoxville News-Sentinel. ``I'm glad that it's over. I'm going to get back to (Los Angeles), get back to our camps that are going on right now. Under the direction of the NCAA, we can't comment about (the hearing) at all.
``I'm just happy that it's over. Happy that we got to get the truth presented. We're going from there. (There are) so many people that had so many different connections . . . It feels a little bit different.''
Notre Dame and Michigan will wear throwback uniforms for the night game in South Bend next season. That's throwbacks and not alternates like Lane Kiffin wanted.
With 14 of 21 events completed, USC's men's track is currently in 13th place with 12 points. That is slightly lower than projected at this stage. Meanwhile, USC's women's team is in 22nd place with nine points.
USC's highly regarded 4 x 400 relay team suffered a big blow when it failed to qualify at the NCAA track and field championships. The Trojans finished ninth and the top eight teams qualified. USC was missing Bryshon Nellum but leadoff leg runner Reggie Wyatt was sick, which also hurt. That will impact the men's team's overall score.
Where else can Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minnillo, Kristin Cavallari, Jay Cutler, Will i am and the Gaelic language all appear at once? In this segment of forum questions, of course.
Pac-10 soon-to-be Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott is ranked the most powerful person in college sports by CBS Sports. As they say, timing is everything.
Tomorrow is the offensive and defensive lineman portion of Lane Kiffin's football camp at USC. One problem: Lane Kiffin will not be there.
Instead he will be in Indianapolis appearing before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions. Does that entitle any campers to a refund?
USC qualified two hurdlers (Nia Ali, Brendan Ames) for the women's and men's NCAA finals but two others failed to qualify (Lauren Blackburn, Oscar Spurlock) and that wlll hurt the team scores.
Trey Henderson, best known to the readers as a former defensive lineman, finished fourth in the semifinals of the hammer throw today at the NCAA championships and advanced to the finals. Sprinter Aareon Payne also advanced in the 200 meters.
I never really trusted that Reggie Bush would return his Heisman Trophy. Now it is being reported that he hasn't and it is instead at the San Diego Hall of Champions.
A question here about why USC returned the Heisman Trophy but not the BCS Trophy after the original NCAA sanctions.
USC athletic director Pat Haden on this week's decision by the BCS to vacate the national title.
``It's been one thing after another over the last 10 months, but I knew what I was getting myself into,'' he said.
Cal's baseball team hosts a Super Regional this weekend against Dallas Baptist (who?!?!) but the games will take place at Santa Clara University. Why? The Golden Bears' facility is inadequate and does not have lights.
Of course Cal tried to drop baseball so it's probably a major accoomplishment to even be in the Super Regionall. But it reinforces a long-held thought here: Cal is Cal.
Being bowl ineligible means USC is not affected by the Pac-12's decision to start playing in the New Mexico Bowl this season instead of 2012. The opponent is the fourth/fifth place team from the Mountain West Conference. Here's some details.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he will not claim USC's recently stripped BCS title but also said vacating the title serves as a deterrent.
``These things are realized, they're dealt with," Stoops said. "At the end of the day then, your legacy's dealt with as well. What you did, how you handled yourself, [if] you stood for something.''
The USC track team is having a good day so far at the NCAA championships. Joey Hughes and Josh Mance each qualified for the final of the 400 meters while the women's 400-meter relay team also qualified for the final. Cooper Thompson also advanced in the javelin.
Arizona point guard Lamont Jones, who originally signed with USC, transferred to Iona today.
But let's follow a timeline of his high school and college choices: Jones attended Rice High School in New York, American Christian in Pennsylvania and Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. He then committed to Louisville, Virginia Tech and signed with USC before he obtained a release to Arizona. And now he will play at Iona.
Got it?
USC athletic director Pat Haden was asked if USC's BCS title should be vacated or award to Auburn. Here was his answer on the Mike & Mike in the morning radio show.
``That is a hard one. Auburn didn't play in the game. That's a very difficult one. I think, from our standpoint, we should vacate it. We did play with an ineligible player. I have no qualm with that. As to Auburn, they can make their own claim.''
In honor of the BCS title news earlier this week, this segment is being sponsored by Roman Meal bread, the official sponsor of the Caesar era.
It's that time of the week again for questions. And as usual, USC seems to always more to talk about than other colleges.
USC and UCLA are locked in a tight race in the latest Directors' Cup standings. The Bruins are in 14th place with 772 points while USC is in 15th place with 720.75 points.
Stanford remains No. 1 with 1387.50 points.
NCAA questions seem to dominate this segment of the forum.
Who says June is a quiet time? The baseball draft continues today while the USC track and field team starts off in the NCAA track and field championships.
Another USC recruit drafted today was outfielder Ryan Garvey of Palm Desert, taken by the Phillies in the 15th round. He is the son of former Dodgers first baseman Steve Garvey.
Not that the BCS news didn't already stir a debate. Here's a less popular issue for the commenters: Who should be more embarassed? USC for not making the baseball playoffs (again) or UCLA for having the No. 1 and No. 3 draft picks (both pitchers) and not even getting out of its home regional?
Between the BCS vacating the title, the Cheryl Cole saga and baseball draft, the forum got sidetracked. Until now.
Three USC recruits were picked in the baseball draft: Third baseman Travis Harrison was selected 50th by the Minnesota Twins, shortstop Christian Lopes was taken in the seventh round by Toronto while pitcher Stephen Tarpley was taken in the eighth round by the Cleveland Indians.
Lane Kiffin's show of support for Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton probably involves a little self-preservation too. Both are expected to attend Saturday's NCAA hearing in Indianapolis into possible rules violations at Tennessee.
Here is USC coach Lane Kiffin on the resignation of Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton, who hired Kiffin as the Volunteers football coach.
``It was saddening to hear the news this morning about Mike's resignation. My family and I are extremely grateful for the opportunity Mike afforded us at Tennessee. We really valued the support we received from him and his wife, Beth, and we wish them the best in the future.''
USC first baseman Ricky Oropesa was chosen in the third round of the MLB draft by the San Francisco Giants.
The BCS stripped USC of its 2004 title seven years after the Trojans defeated Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. Only 30 percent of those who voted in Monday's poll said they were upset over the decision while 66 percent said you could not take away a title off the field.
Former USC baseball coach Mike Gillespie pulled off quite a feat last weekend, knocking off Fresno State (and its sourpuss coach Mike Batesole) and then beating UCLA in Westwood to win the regional.
And what is the Anteaters' reward? They get to travel to No. 1-ranked Virginia for the Super Regional.
USC does retain its AP title from 2004 even with today's BCS action.
``We'll still say it was a national championship season,'' athletic director Pat Haden said.
Here is a statement from Grant Teaff, the executive director of the American Football Coaches Assn. on USC getting stripped of its title.
I'm including it even though I've little respect for Teaff since he does not allow the coaches' poll ballots to be released to the public during the season.
The BCS formally announced today it was vacating USC's national title from the 2005 Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma.
Here is USC athletic director Pat Haden's statement: "The BCS alerted us today that their presidents have voted to vacate USC's 2005 BCS Championship Game victory. This was not an unexpected outcome. We will comply with all requirements mandated by the result of this BCS vote."
Here is the statement from the BCS. I'll include the statement from BCS executive director Bill Hancock, even though I've had enough of his spin regarding the Fiesta Bowl and preventing a college football playoff.
We mentioned yesterday how impressive Arik Armstead (6-8, 220) looked playing basketball this weekend at Cal State Dominguez Hills. We heard this weekend he wants to play basketball for USC if Lane Kiffin approves it.
The Pac-12 hired NFL referee Tony Corrente as its new coordinator of officials. Here's the full announcement:
During Friday night's coaches' tour stop in Indian Wells, USC basketball coach Kevin O'Neill apparently knew what was coming and asked the crowd to vote yay or nay on black football jerseys. O'Neill even said he liked the black ones.
Lane Kiffin intervened and said USC would not wear black jerseys. The crowd also voiced its disapproval.
But someone should have asked Kiffin about cardinal jerseys and cardinal pants.
No sooner did we answer a question and mention Todd McNair and here's a link showing the documents of his lawsuit filed against the NCAA.
McNair is suing the NCAA for libel, slander, interference with contract relations and economic advantage, breach of contract, negligence and declatory relief. McNair is also requesting a jury trial.
USC football commit Arik Armstead, one of the top recruits in the nation, is playing basketball this weekend at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Armstead (6-8, 280) is good enough to contribute on the USC basketball team, if he chooses to play two sports.
Lane Kiffin and his staff are unwinding at a desert resort after the grueling coaches' tour.
Does the NFL lockout actually allow Pete Carroll to sneak back to Southern California more often? If you are in Manhattan Beach, keep your eyes peeled.
A reader wonders if USC is a year away from winning the Pac-12 title.
With Nikola Vucevic's draft stock rising, this mock draft lists him as the 23rd pick, which means he would go to Houston.
The Pac-12 is touring the conference to inspect each site for the football championship game. Wait till they come to USC and hear the problems with traffic and parking by playing on a Friday night instead of Saturday.
UC Irvine defeated Fresno State 12-6 today at UCLA in the NCAA baseball playoffs. More importantly, it was a victory for nice guy Mike Gillespie, who defeated Bulldogs coach Mike Batesole, who has a surly personality during some of the best of times. No love lost between these coaches either with Batesole's prickly demeanor. Score one for the good guys.
USC president Max Nikias attended yesterday's celebration for the men's water polo and men's tennis teams' national titles. It's difficult to recall a sports event Nikias doesn't attend. Whatever else he did in his first year, his interest in sports might rival former president John Hubbard, who was famously penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct on the sideline of the USC-Hawaii game in 1978.
Some fans might wish his intense interest in sports extended to suing the NCAA. But he's definitely a friend of athletics.
Lane Kiffin and Kevin O'Neill wrap up the coaches' tour tonight in Indian Wells. One last chance for Kiffin to say he never wanted to change the uniforms.
USC forward Nikola Vucevic works out for the San Antonio Spurs today. He worked out with the Houston Rockets yesterday. Vucevic is currently projected as a late-first round pick.
Sprinter Bryshon Nellum's hamstring injury will prevent him from competing in next week's NCAA championships. Nellum pulled his hamstring in the NCAA West Regionals last weekend.
Reggie Bush is going to do a reality show where he spends a week with someone who shares his name in Danville, Ill. Would the other Reggie Bush stonewall the NCAA and fail to settle a lawsuit with people who gave him money and extra benefits?
A look at USC's recruiting needs and an update on whether the old John McKay show might be available in this segment.
Caesar to Ohio State and Cheryl Cole highlight this segment. What else is there?
The team announced by Playboy includes USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil, USC signee, offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson (later released), and one-time commitments linebacker Vontaze Burfict and wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey.
Now if USC had all those players, it still might be the glory days.
The entire Playboy team is after the jump:
BCS blowhard Bill Hancock said he will meet with the Justice Dept. to discuss the lack of a college football playoff.
Late last week staff attorneys at the Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DOJ) contacted me to request a voluntary background briefing on how the BCS operates. I told them I would be happy to provide it.
``The briefing will occur sometime this summer. No specific date has been set.
``The BCS was carefully created with antitrust laws in mind, and I am confident that it is fully compliant with those laws. It has improved competition by delivering a national championship game between the two top-ranked teams, which only rarely existed before the BCS. It has also dramatically increased access to top-tier bowl games for schools from non-AQ conferences. I look forward to a conversation with the attorneys at the Justice Department.''
A reader emailed his own report on the snoozefest from Manhattan Beach. Oh wait! There was a question about changing the uniforms. Sorry Lane!
Anyways, here's the report, which I found helpful with its detail.
I asked someone who went to tonight's coaches' tour how the evening went? ``Nothing special,'' they said.
If you go to Manhattan Beach tonight, maybe you can ask Lane Kiffin to endorse a traditional kickoff time (before 5 p.m.) for the USC-UCLA game. Remind him that he also wanted to wear an alternate uniform for that game so this would be a good way to embrace tradition.
Maybe one thing Pat Haden can work on in the future is getting the USC-UCLA game to be a day or afternoon kickoff. It's the crosstown rivalry and deserves a day kickoff. I could list many reasons for an earlier kickoff but a new one followed last year's game: Less tailgating might prevent a stabbing.
Perhaps the new Pac-12 TV deal will mean ESPN can do games at an earlier hour than Fox's 7 p.m. graveyard starting in 2012. Somehow, I doubt much will change, though, in terms of start times.
For the third straight year, the USC-UCLA game will kickoff at night as this year's game will start at 7 p.m. and be on Fox Sports Network.
The Sept. 17 game against Syracuse will either be at 3:30 p.m. on FSN or 5 p.m. on FX. USC's Pac-12 game against Utah on Sept. 10 will be at 4:30 p.m. on Versus.
Well, USC won't have to. But some lucky Pac-12 team will fill that slot if the conference qualifies a sixth team. The game on Dec. 31 at AT&T Park in San Francisco will be against Army, if it is bowl eligible.
The opponent in 2012 is Navy and 2013 is BYU.
Lane Kiffin and Kevin O'Neill hit Manhattan Beach tonight on the coaches' tour. Will Kiffin answer questions about last week's denial of USC's appeal?
Last week, the Bay Area Trojan Club gave out the annual Mike Garrett Award to the player who performed the best on the Northern Califorinia road trip. Robert Woods won with his three touchdowns and 224 yards receiving against Stanford.
But shouldn't Garrett have won himself? Who can forget his performance in the Bay Area last June.
``As I read the decision by the NCAA,'' Garrett told boosters in the Bay Area.. ``... I read between the lines and there was nothing but a lot of envy. They wish they all were Trojans.''
``Today I got a purpose for really wanting to dominate for another 10 years.''
Dedeaux Field remains busy with a City Section doubleheader as Chatsworth plays Birmingham at 3 p.m. while El Camino Real plays San Fernando at 6 p.m.
Recent Comments
Trojan Hoarse on Morning Buzz: SnoreBeagle1904Chumps: I'm surprised you're able to even read, let alo ...
Trojan Hoarse on Post-Practice Report: May God Bless Michael Lev from the OC Register...this is how you monit ...
Trojan Hoarse on Post-Practice Report: Jethro - You make an extremely valid point, but be honest.... how can ...
How does Scott Wolf keep his job? on Morning Buzz: "It should be duly noted..." What a buffoon. So, Reggie Bush's parent ...
BruinRob on Post-Practice Report: @gotroy22, you're so full of shit it's not even funny, take a look at ...
Jon on Morning Buzz: Nice non-response BruinRob. I won't pile on and call you an idiot aga ...
marvgoux on O'Neill On Stewart: What a strange long trip USC basketball has been. ...
Jon on O'Neill On Stewart: If Wolf weren't so chummy with KO, this would have come out sooner. C ...
BruinRob on Morning Buzz: @NJ trOJan, it should be duly noted that USC was using an ineligble pl ...