Closing Down Our Borders ...

by Nestor on Jul 3, 2007 3:08 PM PDT in Recruiting

Relax Fox. This is not going to be a political post. Don't run away.

The entry of this title simply refers to what the best college basketball coach in America has done to borders of Southland.

No longer can Roy Williams, Lute Olson, Krzyzewskis of the world can just waltz into Southern California and pick of California blue chips from our own backyard. Those guys made a career out of stocking their programs with Southern California talents (Gilbert Arenas, Luke Walton, Paul Pierce, Jacque Vaughn, Ricky Price) when we were stumbling around with poor to mediocre coaches.

No more. Those days are over.

Southern California is Coach Howland's world.

Another look at his latest gem (beating UNC bound Larry Drew's team. Drew was hoping for a UCLA offer but ended up committing to Roy when he got the hint UCLA's recruiting was getting loaded w/ Anderson, Lee, and Holiday in the back court):

What is so awesome about the way Howland has locked up perhaps the richest hotbed of hoops talent is the "LA" in "UCLA Basketball." actually is representative of the City of Angels (not to be confused with Pom Pom's 'angels'). This is our team full of kids from our city's communities. They are the best this city has to offer.

They are representing their families, friends, along with the students and alums of the best public university in American.

Another note. If you think the tone of our excitement is a little different for basketball recruiting as we are joyous over what is shaping to be the number 1 class for the class of 2008, compared to what is being put together in hoops. You are not mistaken.

Unlike football, we have full confidence that Coach Howland will actually do something with the talent (Jrue is another 5 star) he is amassing in Westwood.

We all know. It is not a matter of if but when Howland will hang banner(s) in Westwood.

Once again Howland sent a message to rest of the college basketball world today. The borders are closed in Southern California.

It belongs to Coach Howland and our Ben Ball Warriors from Westwood.

GO BRUINS.

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Comments

Great point

Couldn't agree more. It's more than just shutting down our borders. It's local pride. The greatest class I ever took at UCLA as an undergrad was Sports Psychology. Not because you really learn anything in there, but rather that John Wooden guest lectures one class at the end of each year (although I don't know if he's still doing that).

He told us that he didn't NEED to recruit anywhere but in Southern California because just look around at all of the talent (as Nestor pointed out). He went on to say that these kids also understood how LA works. They are not going to be shell-shocked coming to Hollywood. They've seen famous people all their lives. They've been to the beach. The only time Wooden recruited outside of the Southland is when the recruit contacted him with interest to play for UCLA.

I know that Wooden and Howland are close and have heard similar things from Howland. It's so smart and obviously very true. I'm so glad I'll get to root for Jrue, Love and Co. for years to come. It sure is nice to have a coach who just gets it, unlike...well, let's not get started on that one.

Here's to #12 and #101 from the hardcourt!

by 4pt8Secs on Jul 3, 2007 3:22 PM PDT reply actions

Theres a new Sheriff in town...............

things are going to be different.

by artybruin on Jul 3, 2007 3:55 PM PDT reply actions

Pure class at the end

Watch the end of the video...in the aftermath of a last second championship game, with the crowd going crazy on the floor, #21 is calmly walking through the crowd to halfcourt to greet the other team and shake their hands. No taunting. No grandstanding. Just pure class. You know BH saw this in him from the start, and that this is as important as his mad game. We are lucky to have this kind of person playing for our school. Welcome to Westwood, Jrue.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Jul 3, 2007 4:01 PM PDT reply actions

I'm seeing stars

by Tydides on Jul 3, 2007 4:04 PM PDT reply actions

Holiday

could be listed as either SG or PG, meaning UCLA will have the top 3 PGs in the country of the 2008 class. Are you kidding me?!

THANK YOU HEAVEN FOR BEN HOWLAND!!!!

GO BRUINS!!!

by godblesstyus95 on Jul 3, 2007 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Keep in mind

we may have 1 more scholie to give out depending on who goes pro at the end of this season. So Howland may ink one more bluechipper.

This really could get ridiculous!!!

by Nestor on Jul 3, 2007 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I am REALLY hoping we get someone...

... in the 6-7 to 6-9 range.

I love our team, but I worry defensively whenever we have to body up against teams with more than one 6-9er out on the floor.

WHY NOT US? WHY NOT NOW?

by Meriones on Jul 3, 2007 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions

In terms of our basketball recruiting....

US.

NOW.

Duke and North Carolina called: They want Steve Lavin back. GO BRUINS!!

by Allofmybros on Jul 3, 2007 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

We have

Stanback coming in this season so he should be able to take care of that fine.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jul 4, 2007 3:24 AM PDT up reply actions

He's more of a small forward though

He may be 6'7, but he's not a post player.

by SuperBruinMan on Jul 4, 2007 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

No Amnesty...

...for college coaches that dare think they can stroll in to So Cal and cherry pick blue chippers from UCLA territory.

We like to call it comprehensive recruiting reform.

by Ajax on Jul 3, 2007 8:30 PM PDT reply actions

ROFL!!!

by Nestor on Jul 4, 2007 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions

I still think we should have open borders

I don't know if that is a Republican or Democrat thing. Or which religion wants it or detests it.

We've done well going outside our borders as I recall. Walt Hazzard was from Philly (I think.) F.L.Alcindor, Jr. was from NY. Lucius Allen was from Kansas.

But does it matter? If the best player is from a highschool in Los Angeles or Los Alamos or Shanghai, Coach Howland will get him.

by Fox 71 on Jul 3, 2007 9:28 PM PDT reply actions