N found this first but it deserves as much attention as possible. Seth Davis says what we have all known:

It's official: Pete Carroll is a no-class lowlife. Does he have any notion he is supposed to be an educator?

Carroll is not a humanitarian (the name he gave himself on his own site before he took it down). He is not an educator. He is a "no-class lowlife."

Don't be fooled. Look at his players. Look how they act on the field and off the field (and in the judicial system, etc.). And look how Carroll acts. His players follow his lead.

Yes, they got the win. But I'm really glad I'm not one of them.

We know that Harrison Barnes chose North Carolina over UCLA and that's too bad for us. But how about this quote from the young man?

From the LAT:

'Of UCLA, Barnes said, "They have an unbelievable market for players, as well as one of the richest traditions in college basketball. Coach Howland's pursuit of excellence is only matched by Coach Wooden."'

Nice one, huh?

But his attitude is great and the prognosis is encouraging. Yet another sobering reminder that there is much more to life than what happens on the field or court.

Go get 'em, Kareem.

An opinion/column in today's LAT from Richard Bergman about Pauely's renovation and the financial challenges relating to it.

Bergman's opinions are important because, as the LAT indicates, he served as chairman of Pauley Pavillion's Campaign of Champions Executive Committee from 2006 until March 2009 "when he was asked by the university to step down after he voiced his objections to the new design and financing plans."

Go ahead and click the link. It won't take you to the miserable LAT and I won't give you the link to the Times, either. There is a method to my madness.

As you know, Ed O'Bannon recently filed a class action suit (he is the lead plaintiff, I believe) against the NCAA because he believes that they are raking in millions of dollars without compensating college players who are the "stars" of the old games they show on TV. This topic, as well as the suit against EA Sports, has generated, IMHO, some extremely interesting discussions here on BN and elsewhere. It's a truly interesting topic and I think a lot of us are interested in how these suits turn out.

The LAT recently reported on Ed O's suit and published a letter today which followed the story. Here's the letter, in full (again, no link for you, my friends):

Game over, Ed

Ed O'Bannon is just another washed-up athlete looking for a free ride.

Maybe if O'Bannon had studied and earned a degree, instead of using UCLA to hone his mediocre basketball skills, he might have a high-paying job instead of selling used cars in Nevada.

But I guess it's easier to file a lawsuit and hope the NCAA will settle than get up every morning like the rest of us to go to work.

John Mark
Newport Beach

Let's get the obvious out of the way first.

First, the author is likely a Trojie (note the privileged NB address) and he's also ignorant (sorry for the redudancy).

Second, Ed O didn't have "mediocre basketball skills." My memory is fading but I seem to recall he did pretty well in a certain NCAA tournament in 1995 and was recognized for somethinig mroe than "mediocre" skills at the conclusion of the final game of that tournament.

Third, I believe Ed eventually obtained his degree from UCLA.

Fourth, I am pretty confident he does "get up every morning like the rest of us" and goes to work. He has a job, Mr. Totally-Off-the-Mark.

But why, in the name of God, would the stinking LAT publish a letter which doesn't comment on the merits of the suit (which is an interesting topic) and instead it elects to publish a letter attacking Ed O personally by someone with no command of any facts? I've given you the link to the Rivals.com column for a little balance and relief here.

This idiotic letter literally ruined my morning and made me write this rant. And I am writing the LAT over this and you should, too. Normally, I let the crap in the paper roll right off of me. But this is outrageous.

You've got to scroll about halfway down for the short blurb.

Nice to see us branching out and playing some different (football) programs. I'd like to see us continue the Notre Dame series at some point, and maybe Boston College, but that's just a couple of teams on my long wish list.

Happy 4th everyone!

I believe BN has previously mentioned Neu's visit to Iraq but this is a new column out today in the LAT about his trip. No snarkiness, no nastiness about Neu or UCLA, just a good story and a good read.

Quality playing time next year for Lil Romeo will no longer be a fantasy or a joke (well, it will still be a joke). It is now a necessity with virtually the entire recruiting class gone.

Good luck with your gap-closing team next year, SC*. See you at Pauley East.

This is from this morning's paper. The LAT has finally taken notice of Timmeh's increasing troubles across town. In fact, Timmeh may actually be forced to use Lil Romeo as a player next year. He was recruited for his playing skills, right?

Good times.

I'm not too impressed by the hard hitting journalists doing all the digging with shovels at the Times.

I think the shovels are being mainly used to bury something or to shovel something usually left in the yard.