James Keefe redshirting

by dprodigy19 on Dec 12, 2007 4:05 PM PST

Reported by both Mr. Dohn and the BRO fellas.

It'll be interesting to see if it's more injury related than playing time related (here's hoping it's a PT issue), and Coach Howland can always remove James' redshirt if need be later on down the line.

At its best, this could be a great way for Keefe to bridge the gap between classes that we'll see in the next few years and be a part of the 2010-2011 squad should he want to be, which would help our depth dramatically at that point. He has a ton of potential to play the 4 spot, and it could give him 2 years as the starter after Luc's senior year (should Luc stay, and I expect him to).

At its worst, Keefe's redshirt gets removed later in the current season because of some injuries and we have him in Westwood for the same length of time we expected when he committed. Naturally, it would be a distinct negative if the injury was more serious than expected, but I sincerely doubt that given that he was already practicing with the team and I thought I had heard that he was doing well.

Anyway, here's the Dohn link for all y'all: http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2007/12/keefe_to_redshirt.html

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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For a couple of reasons...

Keefe was going to get ZERO playing time the rest of the way. With Love, Mata, Luc and Aboya in the frontcourt, there was going to be no time for him.

I know I may be in the minority, but I am not one of those people that expected big things from him this year anyway. Some saw a breakthrough in the tournament. I did not. Howland had great things to say about his progress, but all coaches say that.

Really shores up depth for the future. Given that we will likely become victims of early entries, it's a must to have quality depth. Keefe will be at UCLA for 5 years, and can help anchor the frontcourt. If he improves a lot...

All in all, I think it's a great move. Sorry that Keefe had to suffer an injury to come to this conclusion, but I like the result.

by Quickhands on Dec 12, 2007 4:43 PM PST reply actions

Keefe will never be an impact player for us.

by mr havercamp on Dec 12, 2007 11:41 PM PST reply actions

I disagree

I was walking around Westwood over the summer and stopped in Pauley where I saw a pickup game. Keefe was playing and looked really good. He had gotten much stronger and had a low post game that he didn't have last season. He also had much more confidence in his jump shot, something he showed flashes of last season. Keefe has an emerging low post game, can step out and shoot the ball up to 15 feet and is a smart ballplayer. I think some of the struggles he had last season were directly related to his lack of strength, something that won't be a problem when he takes the court next season. Keefe works hard and I think will be a very solid contributor if not next season, certainly by his junior year.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Dec 12, 2007 11:58 PM PST up reply actions

Way to bail

on a guy who has only played one season for us. Howland's guys never get any better.

Then again, you're also a shill for Spineless Simers.

And you also talk about the "kids working their asses off" but only when it comes to football apparently. Only the effort put forth by the football players matters. Nevermind that Keefe was a McDonalds All American and will probably contribute more to our basketball team when it is all said and done than 95% of our football players will to their team. Howland's players put in the work, that is beyond question. Did KD's players? Not from the articles I've read. But we're supposed to sympathize with the football team and not with Keefe? You, sir, are a hypocrite.

His injury is causing him to redshirt a year and all you can think of is to bag on him? Go play in traffic.

by Tydides on Dec 13, 2007 12:33 AM PST up reply actions

From Dohn's blog

but reported there from Jill Painter. http://blogs.dailynews.com/ucla/2007/12/the_point.html

Abdul-Hamid is out of action with a stress reaction in his foot, expected to miss a couple weeks. While this should not have effect on the team's actual play (possible mop up duty against Idaho St. aside), it does mean that DC has to practice at all times, and against Westbrook, who will have to practice fully at the point, rather than get some time at the 2-guard slot.

by bruinhoo on Dec 12, 2007 11:48 PM PST reply actions