SB Nation User Blog: UCLAbruin920

COMpassion bucket

UCLAbruin920 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:28:16 -0000

K Love was on the Dan Patrick Show again this morning and was asked about the situation at u$c. Specifically, he was asked what he thought about agents and runners. I was hoping he would take a bit of a stab at $c, but instead he said, "it's tough" because a lot of these kids come from less fortunate backgrounds. He said OJ Mayo came from a single-parent family and was surrounded by a bad group of people. He said that he understood that athletes want to be taken care of. I was waiting for him to say, "but no matter your circumstances, you have to play by the rules" or something to that effect. But he didn't.

Then he said, that his "COMpassion bucket is dripping" for the u$c basketball program. At first, that really irked me because I don't have compassion for a program that does what usc has done.

But I'm not sure what else he could've said. I think it's well known that amateurism is somewhat commonplace and he's not going to blast his colleagues on a national radio show. He also wasn't about to pass moral judgment on those that accept benefits, simply because he didn't. But what he could've done, is pass judgment on an administration that lets this stuff go. Perhaps it was a bit premature because the investigation is still ongoing and he didn't want to take a position on the issue.

Anyway, I have mixed feelings on this. What do you all think? She he have taken a stronger position on this rather than just saying he has compassion for usc?

Poll

How should K Love have responded to the u$c question?

Criticize the usc program and its conduct

14 votes

Just what he said: compassion bucket

58 votes

something else

18 votes

90 votes | Poll has closed

Norm Chow delivers keynote at API event

UCLAbruin920 — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:27:02 -0000

Yesterday I received a last minute invite to an API event honoring community leaders and when I heard that Norm Chow was the keynote I quickly accepted. It was a relatively short speech because he said he had to leave and get back to recruiting. I won't attempt to recount his speech from memory, but I just wanted to recognize him for his continuing commitment to the community.

It was also great to hear him speak about UCLA with some passion. In a conference hall filled with Bruins and trojies, he did not hesitate to make it know that he is a Bruin. He started off by taking a crack at u$c.

"You know how they say you're a trojan forever? That's because it takes forever to graduate."

It was an interesting dynamic because his sons were with him at the event and both (or at least one of them?) goes to USC. Gotta love it.

mock draft - just for fun

UCLAbruin920 — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:34:53 -0000

mock draft - just for fun

This is just for fun and I know it's probably too early to start making any predictions. But check out where this particular draft has DC going... Yep. Lakers!

Now, for selfish reasons, I would love to see DC in the purple and gold, and we know the lakers could use another good bruin on its team. But DC going 29th??? I suppose it's still first round, but I think one of the most efficient college guards would get selected earlier than 29.

Anyway, the thought of being able to watch DC play for my second favorite team made a little happier today.

NCAA Investigates trojie Hackett

UCLAbruin920 — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:23:43 -0000

NCAA Investigates trojie Hackett

This probably won't lead to anything because the NCAA has repeatedly proved itself to be quick to turn a blind eye when it comes to the trojies. But it's nice to know they're at least taking a look at something that we've all thought to be at least a little suspicious...

"The NCAA is looking into whether point guard Daniel Hackett’s arrangement to play for Southern California was part of a package deal that includes his father, who is the school’s strength and conditioning coach, according to a report."

UCLA and CBH gets some love

UCLAbruin920 — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:58:04 -0000

UCLA and CBH gets some love

Finally, someone in the media is showing some appreciation for the Bruins this season. I don't particuarly agree that we're not a Final Four team this year, but I like what Jason King had to say.

CBH's simple quote had a lot of meaning to me: "I love our players to death." I don't see that as some empty statement. These kids aren't just a bunch of thugs like the players at some other schools; they have character and they want to learn and better themselves. That will take us a long way. CBH knows how to pick them, and with some time, he knows how to mold them into championship contenders. I will never write one of CBH's teams off.

Bruins lose alum Eddie Ayers

UCLAbruin920 — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:21:01 -0000

Bruins lose alum Eddie Ayers

Ayers lost his battle with lupus at the age of 54. I wasn't around when he played, but I've heard of many times.

For the geezers out there, care to share a few stories about his career at UCLA?

Rivals/Yahoo article re DeRozan

UCLAbruin920 — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:46:02 -0000

Rivals/Yahoo article re DeRozan

Could it be... another SCandal in the U$C basketball program?

Stephenson Appeal Denied

UCLAbruin920 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:18:01 -0000

Stephenson Appeal Denied

Looks like Stephenson must sit out a year before playing at USC.

Seems Tyler Zeller of UNC is out for the season due to an injury too.

I'm not sure any of this affects UCLA's run at another final four, but these guys have been the topic of discussion in the past.

Dribble for the Cure

UCLAbruin920 — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:19:17 -0000

I just came back from Dribble for the Cure, an event someone posted here a few weeks ago. It was a great event. I had the chance to meet all the players and get autographs. Ben Howland introduced the team, talked about training, and injury updates. He didn't mention much that we haven't already discussed here on BN, but it was a nice recap nonetheless.

J'mison Morgan is a great kid. Some of the other players seemed a little bored signing autographs (understandably), but Bobo was just having fun with it. He's so full of life and CBH says he's developing at a very fast pace.

Importantly, it was for a really great cause: raising money for pediatric cancer research. USC has been sponsoring this event for three years now, and guess what... in UCLA's first year, we quadrupled the amount of money raised by USC. Now, I won't knock the trojies here because I think it's great that they've been participating in this cause for a few years now, but I point it out to show what a big impact we can have in just our first year. This is great and I will definitely be doing this again next year!

Updated Predictions?

UCLAbruin920 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:09:53 -0000

I know, I know, predictions are meaningless... but they are also fun. Given last night's stunner against Tennessee, what are your [updated] predictions for this season?

This is shaping up to be a very exciting season, even more so than I had originally anticipated (and I must say, I was expecting a lot of fireworks under CRN).

Here are some new of the new factors to consider:

1) Craft may have a tendency to start off shakey, but once he settles down, he's pretty darn efficient. We've yet to see him throw a good long pass.

2) Our offensive line holds up reasonably well. Better than most people expected.

3) Key injuries to Bell, Paulsen, and Everett.

4) We've seen our defense get tired from playing extended minutes, but they know how to dig deep and get the job done.

5) The world is on notice... the bruins just took down a ranked team.

There are several other factors, but those are the immediate ones that jump to mind.

That said, my new prediction is: 8 wins. Yes, that's pretty high, but what can I say? I'm high on my bruins right now. I believe.