Bumped. Good discussion. - BN Eds.

via faniq.com

Hopefully we see more of this next season.

Hey BN community,

I am a long time Bruin fan and follower of BN since the woes of Doh-rell. I attended almost all UCLA football home games, and many away games (including at Knoxville!) with my family from birth till I moved away for college.

For a final project in my "Future of News" journalism seminar class, I must write an article analyzing the timeline of a news media outlet. I have chosen SB Nation and I want to tell the story from three angles: SB Nation's main staff, editors, and the consumers/fans. I have already emailed some of the editors here at BN (although I couldn't find any contact info for you Nestor), but I am looking for some info from Bruin fans like you reading this message right now! What do you think of sports blog coverage from the fan's point of view versus mainstream media coverage? How often do you come to BruinsNation and what do you think makes it (or other sites like it) more successful! If you are interested in answering a few more questions, please email me at ascohen@wesleyan.edu and I would love to hear your thoughts. Otherwise, fire away in the comments and thanks so much for any feedback!

Sincerely,

Andrew aka "PopnFried"

I know this must appear somewhere in the comments of all of our discussion of the possible expansion.

Colin Cowherd this morning discussed on the radio that these dealings may be more of a result of fear of intense loss of revenue due to a heavy penalty on USC, rather than pressure because of other conferences attempting to grow and absorb other teams.  This move, if the motive is correct, would result because of the rooted beliefs that USC is the main market for the Pac-10, especially as of late, and that the Pac-10 would not be able to recover from the loss of their presence in the National Spotlight (no Bowls next 5 years, loss of scholarships...whatever it is).

I understand (and hate) money grubbing necessities to make these programs run to fullest potentials, but I am just extremely unhappy.  I like the round robin aspect of the Pac-10.  In fact I wish that all leagues Maxed at 10 so round-robins became a universal mark of conferences.  Then the best(s) of each conference (equal'd to a degree) would move to BCS or Playoffs.  Then you keep that Pac-10 tradition too.

Speaking of playoffs, if the leagues want more revenue, maybe thats what should be pushed for.

 

Just some ramblings, but who else is unhappy?

Poll

Do you support Pac-16 expansion?

41%

Yes

55 votes

38%

No

52 votes

20%

Unsure

27 votes

134 votes | Poll has closed

Hey guys,

 

Hope everyone that is excited is also excited to compete and fill out brackets.  And I hope it is okay with the uppers here on BN that I re-do the Bruins Nation March Madness group on Yahoo Fantasy Sports

 

If you have a yahoo, create a pick set, then click join a group and click private groups.

Our League ID: 13020

League Pass: ucla123

Start here: http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1

 

Hope everyone enjoys.  Go Bruins! (maybe? hahaha)

 

OH ALSO

So the Yahoo Standard Point system is 1 point for 1st round correct picks, 2 points for 2nd, 4 points for 3rd...and 32 points for the champion correct (every round point totals are doubled).  Would we want to do this or would you guys want a progressive one (1 for 1st, 2 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd...).  In the default settings, its almost impossible to win if you do not pick the Nat'l Champ correct.

Poll

Which scoring system should be used?

35%

Progressive (1 for 1st, 2 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd...)

12 votes

55%

Standard Doubling (1 for 1st, 2 for 2nd, 4 for 3rd)

19 votes

8%

Screw March Madness, I'm not partaking!! Fight the power!

3 votes

34 votes | Poll has closed

 

I thought you all might be interested in some information on UCLA Kicker Justin Medlock, who is stuck (yes, stuck) with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League

In Canada currently, and tired of watching Hockey on "SportCentre," I flipped the channel and found the 4th quarter of a CFL game.  The Toronto Argonauts versus the Calgary Stampeders.  Calgary had just capped `a 4 play 40 yard TD drive to go ahead 23-20 with :40 left.  Toronto got to the 40 yard line with :05 left, setting up a possible 57-yard Justin Medlock FG to tie the game.  But...No he didn't miss it.  They decided to go for it, and finished with an incomplete pass.

Medlock is stuck in a Dorrellian like situation, he is constantly relied upon (except now) with an incompetent offense, other than he.  Here's something that may jolt your memory of good ol' special teams times:

 

 

From August 14th:

Medlock did his best to buoy the CFL's lowest-scoring offence, hitting from 15, 46, 51, 51, 32, 52 and 17 yards without a miss to tie Lance Chomyc's Argos record for most field goals in a game.

One more field goal would have given Medlock a share of the league mark of eight held by three men: Dave Ridgway, who did it twice, Mark McLoughlin and Paul Osbaldiston.

But Toronto managed only one touchdown — a second-quarter hookup between McNeal and quarterback Cody Pickett, who threw for 326 yards as he started in place of the struggling Kerry Joseph.

Hey guys, first post in awhile.

 

I wanted to play a bit of a devil's advocate hear and broaden discussion on this OJ Payo thing.  Keep in mind, while I may side with U$C* in this situation, this does not mean I do not recognize the thug nature of the community college nor do I support them in any way, shape or form.

 

I put high doubt in this occurance.

First of all, why would Tim Floyd, a respectable coach at times, risk his entire career for one player?  I think that he is a business man, and considers his career and that there may have been university pressures or secondary involvment, because he has been mildly successful at other opportunities.  I guess it could just be a trend that SUC doles out.....just speculating.

 

MY REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS, is that isn't this guy the one who previously represented or was involved in OJ Mayo's posse?  Could this simply be an act of revenge, and is overblown by the consistant speculated thuggery of SUC?

 

Thanks and sorry for the lack of quotes or research, just speculating myself!

Hey guys and gals!  I know you are fuming about the #6 seed (perhaps) and may be anxious about the upcoming tournament.  I saw this on a number of other Pac-10 SBN and thought this would be a good way to strengthen and bond our community even further!

 

Nestor, if this violates anything, don't hesitate in removing the league.

 

Here is the Yahoo! link: Bruins Nation March Madness

Password is ucla123 if it does not already insert it.

 

Thanks and enjoy!  Brag about your picks!  Think UCLA will go all they way? Go for it!  USC out in the first round?  Most definitly!  North Dakota St to the final four?  Sure why not!

 

 

Well, I thought it might be a nice way to get out some of your angst about UCLA, the economy and perhaps life in general, in a creative way.

Recently, I've been surfing other SBNation Pac-10 blogs, and they have threads where they come up with bashing and funny gameday signs.  So lets join the fun!  Get your creative groove on y'all =).

 

Photoshop, MS Paint, or anything just go find perhaps an image of your favorite trOJan and doctor him up a bit ;).  Of course with a catchy caption.  Or we could help you with the caption!  This could be a good way to show school spirit and support (and maybe get on TV) at upcoming UCLA events.  Too bad we didn't do this before the Notre Dame gameday event @ Pauley, but here is a chance for the future!  Some fun we can refer back to!

 

Mine:

 

 

 

A helpful, funny stanza to chant when Cal's band plays:

 

The REAL lyrics to Cal's fight song:

The Dirty Golden Bear
Is losing all his hair
His teeth are out
He's got the gout
He knows not what it's all about
His eyes are made of glass
He's losing all his class
So TAKE the Dirty Golden Bear and shove him up your ***!

The second stanza gets a bit inappropriate, but you should be able to google it.  I found some cool sites with numerous fight song parodies for a lot of colleges.


GO BRUINS

PS. For those of us who went last time they played at Cal (2 yrs back), didn't you just love it when the UCLA band's resounding song finished out Cal's fight song with our more powerful ending?
I did!

Bumped. GO BRUINS. -N

Ben Howland's UCLA men's basketball team and the Bruin Athletic Department have joined forces with UCLA basketball alumnus John Vallely, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) and Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, for the inaugural "Dribble For The Cure". The event will take place on the UCLA campus at historic Pauley Pavilion on Sunday, Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m.-Noon.

UCLA will be hosting this great event which I encourage all bruins to check out.  There will be booths, excitement, autograph opportunities and more!

This all goes to helping to find the cure for pediatric cancer and the point is to dribble from Pauley Pavilion around a specially designed dribble course, where you are to dribble your own ball, along with collecting pledges for dribbling your heart out!  Prizes will be awarded and fun is sure to be amiss!  I encourage all LA Bruins to join in on this great cause and fun inagural event! =)

Full details are here.

GO BRUINS!

The USC-UCLA rivalry is the most overrated in college football. There is a rivalry. There is some emotion. There is some dislike.

Quoted from Mr. Maisel's book and posted on espn.com

Ivan Maisel who just wrote all about Rick Neuheisel, attacks our rivalry between our beloved Bruins and the SuCsters across town.

His main arguement:

The lifeblood of a college rivalry is the identity that alumni and fans invest in their school. It is oxygen. It is all there is. UCLA may have lost eight of the last nine to USC by an average of 21 points, but the typical Bruin doesn't feel a sliver of the angst that has taken up residence in the gut of every Alabama fan. The Crimson Tide faithful awaken every day knowing that they have to go into the office and face Auburn fans who will let them know -- every day -- that the Tigers have won six straight Iron Bowls. The laidback attitude of most Californians makes for a lukewarm rivalry between USC and UCLA.

OF COURSE WE HAVE ANGST.

What about all that outcry, the dump dorrell?

When people in the street walk by with opposing colors, what person does not call them out or use their bragging rights from the numerous sports each year the two schools duke it out in.

I completely disagree with him....thoughts anyone?

More good news from the world of Ben Ball. GO BRUINS. -N

AA2, or Alfred Aboya as some of you may know was taken to the hospital following blurry vision from a slap in the face from a Yale player.  He had an injury to the floor his orbital cavity (near his eye.

Here's a quick anatomy lesson:

yellow = Frontal bone
blue = Zygomatic bone
purple = Maxillary bone
red = Sphenoid bone
brown = Ethmoid bone
aqua = Palatine bone
green = Lacrimal bone

So the bottom of this was fractured.

Now, if this was dislocated, it would require surgery and around two months of recovery.

However, Aboya has been cleared to play:

"Aboya met with a specialist on Monday and was cleared to play on Wednesday when the Bruins host George Washington. He will have a non-contact practice Monday and return to full practice Tuesday with protective goggles." So this is good news for our Bruins.  He is a valuable player though it may not show up in the box score.

Though, the question might be... will he start?

GO BRUINS!

As you all know, U$C lost to the powerhouse of Mercer of the Atlantic Sun.  Well the trojans have dropped out of the Top 25.

With several loses by teams such as Kentucky and Michigan St, whom we may face, one can only wonder...

Perhaps the college basketball season will be the same as the college football one for the NCAA?

Yeah, it could happen, anything can in college sports...

But not us...

We have:

(2006)

And we have:

And what will this year hold for us?:

I think so too :)

Thank you Coach Howland, for ressurecting the heart of UCLA basketball.  Thank you for making it  the respected and feared program it is and will continue to be.

I am proud to be a bruin!

GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS
GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS GO BRUINS

Bumped. The good folks at Blue Ribbon have given us the go ahead to share these excerpts with rest of BN. We have always been huge fans of Blue Ribbon, because they tend to be on the money. And I highly recommend ordering a hard copy of their season preview because it always comes in handy. [See our previous recommending their on the money UCLA previews here, here, and here] Now, notwithstanding the high expectations we have to keep our fingers crossed and hope our team stays healthy and gets its share of luck which always seem to come into play during the Madness. But we know with Coach Howland in charge we don't have to worry about a coach putting our boys in best position to contend and win the conference titled, and giving itself a shot during the Big Dance. It is going to be fun. GO BRUINS.-N

As I know that we have had constant updates on "Ben Ball" recently as all of us are frustrated and counting down the days until we can watch a good coach do the things he does well.  ESPN teams with Blue Ribbon to provide a college basketball preview, however, it is solely for ESPN 'Insiders' (of which you have to pay to read or be a subscriber to the magazine, like me).  Thus, I thought people might enjoy this little sneak peek.  So here are some highlights.

''We had a very good year, second straight Final Four, we had a special team,'' Howland said. ''We had a historically good year, but yeah, we were disappointed with how it finished. Those are the kind of expectations we have here.''

Those expectations aren't likely to soften any time in the near future, or ever for that matter, but that's how Howland prefers it. Unlike many coaches who have attempted to follow in the intimidating legacy left by Wooden, Howland -- who turned 50 in May and is signed through 2013 -- embraces the program's past accomplishments. He relishes the opportunity to compete at a level where back-to-back Final Four appearances are appreciated and celebrated, but not revered.

Wow.  That sounds SO MUCH like KD, right? (yes I know this has been perpetuated but just saying :))

Also the underlying preview and overall grades:

BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS

BACKCOURT: A
BENCH/DEPTH: A-
FRONTCOURT: A+
INTANGIBLES: A

If Afflalo had returned for his senior year, UCLA would have been the consensus choice as the No. 1 team in the country. As it is, the Bruins still make for a compelling pick behind 11 of their 13 scholarship players from a season ago. And, oh yeah, they also added perhaps the top high school player in the country.

To the non-basketball purist, the Bruins haven't been the entertaining team to watch the last three seasons, as Howland has put an emphasis on defense. Little did he know when he brought that philosophy to the Pac-10 that he'd become a trendsetter. ''Ben has changed the way the game is played in the conference,'' Oregon coach Ernie Kent said. ''It's about defense now, where before it was more of an offensive league.''

That said, look for Howland to loosen the reins just a tad this winter. The combination of Love's outlet passing and arguably the nation's quickest player in Collison should make for some easy transition points.

''We have an opportunity to be a better team at pushing the ball, especially with Kevin's ability as an outlet passer,'' Howland said. ''We'll play at a pace that is best for our team.''

This is also without question Howland's most experienced team since coming to Westwood. Many don't realize how young the back-to-back Final Four teams were.

Is UCLA good enough to win it all?

Absolutely.

The conference is too strong for an undefeated run -- for the record, we'll say 16-2 in the Pac-10 -- but this is a 30-win team that should find itself in San Antonio the first Saturday of April.

Not that we don't already know this but its always nice for a distraction from daily KD woes.

GOOOOOOO BRUINS!

Okay.  I think we should collaborate our ideas for comebacks displaying WHY UCLA is better than USC!  I know you have it in you  Time and time again I fumble with the same remarks such as, "At least we don't pay our players" and such.  So I have decided to ask you for help!  I know y'all have been around much longer than me and am sure you all have your 'shticks' and responses for when some trOJie starts arguing with you.  For example, do you have that one true blue remark that leaves them in their feet?  Share it with us!  My favorite right now is what I heard at the UCLA scrimmage of calling your friend at 8:47 and asking, "WHAT TIME IS IT???"  and saying "13-9".  I can't get over that one.

I know it is hard, especially with our football program in its current state, to argue about football.  But I bet you all have some good ways to shut up those bruin haters.

But I'm sure you have some!

Lets help each other out!

Or at least myself :).

GO BRUINS

Also... to get this post to 200 words I would like to say that I appreciate all everyone has done here.  I never would have been so informed about UCLA without this site which I found through iGoogle.  You all inspire me to write/blog better and to try and be successful.

...and to get into UCLA :D

Can even a caveman really win with the talent of the UCLA football squad?

The time had come to find out!

Time and time again we have said that even a mediocre coach could coach a team easily to 10+ wins with the talent in a team like UCLA.  I have decided to try and come up with a test to support OR perhaps disprove this theory.  Through the use of EA Sports' NCAA 08 I will investigate this theory.

Test:

20 simulated seasons of UCLA for 1 year with the WCO and Karl Dorell as head coach

20 simulated seasons of UCLA for 1 year with Spread Offense and Karl Dorell as head coach

20 simulated seasons of UCLA for 1 year with (other interchangeable offenses, each 20) and Karl Dorell as head coach.

ADDITIONALLY.

I will attempt to have as many real-life `joe's' as I can to do one year as UCLA head coach and report to me their season record scores and possibly, stats.  They would call offensive and defensive plays, but not actually play out the plays as a player (not sure IF or HOW this would work...I know Madden has a variation of this).  This would to see if mediocre every-day joe coaches could perform better than Dorell.  Keep in mind, that as they are head coach, they may choose any offense or defense or their playbooks, thus multiple variations of each coach will not be needed.

For everyone!

Please if you can, point out flaws in my test and if you even think this is a waste of my time please say so!  If you are able to help out and own this game by all means help out!

Thank you very much!

EA Sports, with their game NCAA Football 2008, has recently done, as they do every year, their season simulation.

Previous to this year, with NCAA Football 2007, the game correctly picked the Florida Gators to win it all (Of course they couldn't have done it with a little bit of help from us though.. :P).

This year, they have done their simulation, and have come out with:

"This year NCAA Football 08 has USC winning the BCS Championship game 28-23 against Oklahoma.  The TrOJans wrapped up their NCAA Football 08 season with a 13-0 record, the only team in college football to go undefeated.  Other notable Bowl games included a decisive 38-22 Louisville win over Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl, a 35 -23 Virginia Tech victory over West Virginia in the Fed Ex Orange Bowl, and 42-17 blowout by Florida over Michigan in the Rose Bowl."

Not only is USC predicted (or projected, or simulated to become, or whatever) to be 13-0 and win the National Championship, but it also places UCLA at 9-4, along with a 14-42 loss to USC at the Colosseum.  It places us in the Las Vegas Bowl, beating Colorado St 20-13, along with a final ranking of #22.

This projection implies that we may be stuck with Karl Dorrell for another year, because, as previously mentioned, 9 wins won't drag him away to the NFL, yet it may give enough of a reason (though we would disagree) to keep him.

What will happen?  Only time will tell.

I say lets spite the projection!  Trump all else!

GO BRUINS!