Ben Ball News & Notes: Digger Still Is A Wimp

by Nestor on Jan 30, 2008 4:43 AM PST in Basketball Comment 36 comments

We will start today’s Ben Ball round up with some really cool news out of Oregon. A very classy gesture from University of Oregon:

Oregon's athletic director has apologized to UCLA for the behavior of Ducks fans toward Bruins freshman Kevin Love last week.

Pat Kilkenny left messages Monday for coach Ben Howland, athletic director Dan Guerrero and Love's father Stan, who starred for Oregon in the early 1970s.

You have to tip your hat to Kilkenny for that move. Well done and I think that will make lot of Ducks’ alums proud. For our part let’s move on.

We also have some good news from our team. Luc is back in practice. From LAT’s report sounds like he is doing all right and will play against ASU tomorrow night:

Starting forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, who sat out games last week against Oregon and Oregon State because of a concussion, returned to practice Tuesday and was expected to play Thursday night when the Bruins play Arizona State at Pauley Pavilion.

Mbah a Moute, averaging 9.5 points and 5.2 rebounds, was cleared after a CT scan came back negative, Coach Ben Howland said.

The 6-foot-8 junior was injured Jan. 19 against USC and hadn't practiced until a light workout Monday.

"He worked out for about an hour and felt fine afterward so hopefully he'll have a good result again," Howland said before practice.

"I definitely feel better," Mbah a Moute said. "There isn't anything you can do about a concussion. You just go out there and play."

Luc’s return will be a huge boost to our defense as we have discussed a number of times in last few days. Also speaking of injuries apparently Howland told reporters that Roll is still "at least a few weeks" away from returning. Achilles thinks Roll will redshirt. Folks I have to say I trust A’s hunches on stuff like this a lot. So I am not going to hold my breath over Roll’s return at this point.

Speaking of returning some great news from Dohn:

The chances of UCLA losing multiple underclassmen to the NBA draft is high, especially in the cases of projected mid-level first-round picks Love and point guard Darren Collison, but junior wing Josh Shipp said not to count him in the mix of players who could leave early.

"I'll be here," Shipp said. "I have another year of basketball. Why wouldn't I want to play at UCLA? I'm here at UCLA, it's a great place, and I enjoy my time here. I definitely would love to stay here."

Shipp, who is UCLA's second-leading scorer at 14.2points per game, is projected as a middle second-round selection in several mock drafts.

I have to say I am pleasantly surprised by this. I thought Shipp would be gone for sure/ Who knows if he blows up down the line he still may go. But Coach Howland has to be really happy about this. Shipp and Westbrook (if he comes back next season as well) will be the man and focal point of our offense and will provide key veteran leadership and experience to guide all the young cubs who are coming in next season. But this is exciting stuff nonetheless.

Speaking of exciting stuff looks like the Den will get to make fun of Digger Phelps in person this Saturday at Pauley. WWL clowns are coming to town:

ESPN's College Game Day for basketball will originate from Pauley Pavilion this Saturday. It begins at 8 a.m., but don't pack your gear just yet. UCLA is allowing only members of the "The Den,'' which is the student section, in for the game.
I was told the decision was made independent of the men's basketball program, and a UCLA official said the decision was made as a way to reward the students.

We will be very interested to hear what the Den has planned for this. So guys as always use this place to get the word out and we will do what we can to help you out. And remember – Digger still ~~sucks~~ is a wimp.

GO BRUINS.

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Shipp staying would alleviate the sting

somewhat of losing Love. With Shipp and Westbrook plus the superior freshmen, UCLA would be top-10 material next season for sure. The lack of a center would keep us from being top-5.

Contrary to all the wishful thinking, Love is not going to return. There is no way he is not a first-round pick.

by bluegold on Jan 30, 2008 7:04 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

The idea that Love is coming back is nothing but a pipe dream. Let's enjoy the kid's game and not tear ourselves over whether he is going to stay or go.

I also think it its crucial that Luc comes back.

by bluestreet on Jan 30, 2008 7:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

How About AA2?

It was mentioned in Bruinsnation a few weeks back that Alfred would be graduating this spring. Does anyone know if he has an interest in returning for his final season? It would be great to see him one more year at UCLA and provide that inside presence that will be gone with Love and Mata's exits...

by RScal on Jan 30, 2008 7:19 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Think he's staying

I did read somewhere (Dohn, I think, so take at your own risk) that the writer had talked to Aboya about the article citing his upcoming graduation and the chance that he would leave the team afterward to go home. I recall Aboya's response being a bit of a laugh. I think that AA2 is solid for next season.

by bruinhoo on Jan 30, 2008 8:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Digger

I wonder how many of the current Den members are aware of Digger's long history with UCLA? Going to UCLA in the late 70s and early 80s, the Notre Dame rivalry was our biggest in the basketball program, with students camping outside Pauley for days to get a seat for our half of the home-and-away series. We always rode Digger during those games, although it never got stronger than "Digger is a wimp."

by CrouchingBruin on Jan 30, 2008 8:11 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Digger

I think I am one of the few people in the world who thinks Phelps is a good in-game coach. I suffered through the break of the streak, and I believe Phelp's coach had a lot to do with it. He also showed me that he was good at end of the game coaching (behind by five with 30 seconds to go and the other team with the ball.)

I have nothing to say about his skill (or lack of skill) as an announcer because I despise all announcers and leave the sound off. In extreme cases, I leave the sound off even for radio announcers, which is, in its way, a drawback when it comes to getting the scores.

Having said all that, I think it would be a mistake for the Den or any individuals to focus on a non-entity (Phelps) when there is so much else to focus on. We have a good team - focus on that. We are playing a worthy adversary - focus on that. Why waste time and energy taking shots at Phelps, who won't care (any publicity is good publicity), especially when 99% of the audience either won't hear or won't understand the comments.

And sorry guys, but there is a difference of opinion as to what comes across as clever to people once you get past the age of 22 or so. From the perspective of a geezer, most of the student shennanigans in every sports venue just look silly, and convince the audience that too much tax money is being poured into educational establishments that produce guys who look like blithering idiots on TV. And don't paint your faces or take your shirts off. Please.

Anyway, I have just established my credentials as a geezer once again. But I respectfully submit that you look more like college students if your support is positive rather than taking on someone like Phelps.

by Fox 71 on Jan 30, 2008 10:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As a 1994 grad BORN in 1971 . . .

I'd like to say that, as usual, I agree with Fox for the most part. However, in the spirit of allowing babies to have their bottles (or kegs in this case), I am all for rowdy face-painted, deflated-basketball wearing, cape-donning, "yes thats the losing team" (now underhanded)chanting, Sendek is a wimp sign waving, tunnel-forming hijinks by our boisterous student crowd so long as it doesnt embarrass the university a la Oregon's "sPit Crew." UCLA is all about class (both academically and socially), and it is our class that keeps us above the thugs from Fig JC.

by charnaw on Jan 30, 2008 11:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Digger is fair game

He a life-long envier of Wooden, rarely gives Coach his dues, and basically anti-UCLA.

And you can bet he'll be rooting for the Wildcats.

by bluegold on Jan 30, 2008 11:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You could leave the sound off

That way he won't aggravate you. If you were at the game but not listening to what he said, he wouldn't aggravate you. So why not just turn the sound off. I'm not aggravated by any announcers other than the ones I listen to. But then I don't listen to any, am not aggravated, have a serene demeanor, avoid ulcers, etc.

As far as anti-UCLA, let him be anti-UCLA. It shows, as you pointed out, envy. He is a Bruin wannabe, but doesn't have what it takes. So why remind him of something he already knows? If you just ignore him, he'll go away.

Just leave the sound off.

by Fox 71 on Jan 30, 2008 11:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Who wants to hear a funny Digger story?

I work for a less-than-prestigious mortgage banking company in their litigated foreclosure department. I was speaking with one of my attorneys out in Chicago, he knows I'm a Bruin and asks what I think of Digger. I reply "Outside of him claiming Wooden cheated and his bad commentary, I try not to think of him." He goes on to tell a story of when he was in Notre Dame undergrad in '74.
So, per local Chicago Counsel:
Digger Phelps was `an asshole' to the students he met. Counsel seemed to believe Digger's head was too big for his body. The kicker came when Counsel told the story of how he went to Ireland with Notre Dame in the late 70s. Digger and his wife (who happened to be a professor) were chaperones. For the entire duration of the trip Digger was desperately trying to rail a newly married blonde, who was there with her husband, to no avail. The wife of Digger? Well, she managed to bag herself a mid-20 college boy.
I bet that was a fun train wreak to watch.

Victory or until next year!

by ncrpz2 on Jan 30, 2008 3:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wreak = wreck

Victory or until next year!

by ncrpz2 on Jan 30, 2008 3:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A rich addition to the pantheon of Digger Tales..

..loved this!

Not to disagree with Fox 71 on Digger'a talents, but I made the trek from Omaha (USAF duty station) to Chicago and South Bend to see the Walton gang dismantle Larue Martin and his Loyola team prior to the visit to Digger's venue.

This was the "in between" game -- as I recall -- the year before Notre Dame ended the streak and Digger had zippoid for talent. So, in order to make the score look respectable, he went into a stall from the start (no clock in those days). Despite the slowdown, UCLA was up 55-26 or something like that with about 15 minutes to go in the game. It was so annoying -- and Notre Dame was clearly not going to win -- that the fans (all except that stupid-assed leprechaun and his adherents) were booing ND and Digger. He did not relent and I remember reading int he local paper the next day how Phelps crowed about holding UCLA, moral victory and all that.

It is my understanding that ND bookended the streak -- the last UCLA loss being to Austin Carr -- and the streak ending loss came after we were up by five points with the ball as Fox 71 alludes to. That and the OT loss to NC State in the NCAA semi-final game were the only blemishes on the Walton gang's adventures.

Add ND trivia: friendly ND students told us that they disliked Phelps as well (circa 1971) and that they though their ACC (Athletics and Convocation Center) could also be called the "Austin Carr Coliseum".

Further add Phelps: I hated the ND player Kelly Trapuka (a.k.a., "Kelly, the Puker") right up until the very nanosecond I read a quote he gave in an interview after turning pro. When asked what he wished for most in his ND career, he told the interviewer, "30 minutes alone with Phelps and freedom from criminal prosecution."

Apparently, ol' Digger was not a much-loved figure amongst his charges as well.

by whp68 on Jan 31, 2008 1:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My only point about Digger

was that he seemed to know what he was doing. But then, so did Charles Manson.

by Fox 71 on Jan 31, 2008 3:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

very aware

by jjreicher on Jan 30, 2008 10:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What a minute!!!!

I don't believe this whole we're sorry now, new found remorse crap. Weren't these the same people who initially made a publis statement hiding behind the 1st amendment, calling it a "freedom of speech issue." The spin doctors are now at work here. I think this new found attitude is based more on pressure from the court of public opinion. I will move on and leave it alone, but I don't believe their sincerity. DONE.

by BruinFaithful on Jan 30, 2008 8:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

oooop I meant "Wait a minute"

by BruinFaithful on Jan 30, 2008 8:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Digger Is A Wimp!

I believe the ASU game is going to be rough on us, and we better not be looking ahead to The Standard on Saturday or we'll be staring at another home loss come Friday. With the notable exception of Oregon State, there will be NO DAYS OFF in this year's Pac 10. We are going to need Shipp tomorrow, because ASU's zone is pretty good as we found out last year. Harden is a great player, but we really need to keep Pendergraph under wraps to give ourselves the best opportunity to win.

by Tydides on Jan 30, 2008 8:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

ASU at home against WSU

looked unimpressive. We should handle ASU...but then, we should have handled SC.

by bluegold on Jan 30, 2008 8:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are we talking about that one point win?

WSU is a great team and ASU took them to the very end. They may not have looked impressive during the game, but they nearly got the job done by junking it up, which is how they almost upset us last year at their place. I believe we will win, but it will be another stressful game for us as fans if they take the first half to warm up again, which will probably happen if we're looking ahead to The Standard.

by Tydides on Jan 30, 2008 8:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, the one-point game

Maybe it was my bias...but I didn't think WSU was playing that well. And ASU was playing at home. That combination should have resulted in a W for ASU.

by bluegold on Jan 30, 2008 9:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think WSU should have won

just as I think we should win tomorrow. I believe the fact that it was so close should serve as a stern warning to our guys that ASU isn't a team to be taken lightly. In years past that may have been the case, but not this year. This is a game we can't lose if we want to secure that 1 seed and conference championship.

by Tydides on Jan 30, 2008 9:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Love going pro

I'll admit that I'm one of those wishful thinkers who want Love to come back. I still think he needs to work on his game to find a definitive role at the next level, but it might actually work out better if he's a mid 1st-rounder since he'd likely go to a better team.

by ishXdavid on Jan 30, 2008 8:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

i'll wait to see how shipp ends the season

same with love, collison, luc. most likely love and collison will be the ones to take off, especially if they continue to do things like they did in oregon. i'm guessing luc and shipp depend on if they have any amazing games in march that show some serious talent (like luc's game against LSU in the final four 2006).

one overlooked early nba player is westbrook. everyone is constantly talking about his athleticism, how he'll be the best in the nba. anyone here think he could take off this year?

by stephons on Jan 30, 2008 8:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

i completely agree

draftboards are so weird. looking at this team, RW looks to me to be the best NBA prospect, but chances are unless he does something nutty in the postseason, he won't even be mentioned.

shipp should stick around. i love him, but unfortunately for him, he's not that good. i hope he has a big senior season next year and vaults up the draftboard, for his sake.

by jjreicher on Jan 30, 2008 10:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Westbrook stays because...

Next year he is a first round lock. The team will be his and Ship's (assuming he stays which he probably will IMO). He definately will be an impact player in the Association in years to come, just not starting next year. This is DC's and Love's team this year and they will shine come tournament time. Assuming no further injuries to DC, Westbrook will continue as a key roll player, waiting to emerge as a star next year when the team will be his to take for a long drive into March.

Go Bruins.

by Bald Eagle on Jan 30, 2008 12:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is a joke

Gameday comes to UCLA and they're only going to let the Den in? I guess they decided to tell all the other diehard Bruins who support the team day in, day out that they're not welcome. That's not a slap in the face at all. If they wanted to let the Den in 1st so they could be in front, fine, but don't tell your fans that they're not welcome. That terrible and another misstep by the Morgan Center.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 30, 2008 11:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I COMPLETELY AGREE.

no offense, but there just aren't that many Den members. I'd rather see the arena full (or as full as possible) with young kids, the guys who dances behind the baskets, and all the other supporters, and the Den, then see just the Den (with some first time Den members showing up just for the TV time).

This is a horrible decision. And it doesn't even reward the Den. It would reward the Den if everyone was allowed in, and the Den could be down in front.

Talk about taking the interest out of the event in one fell swoop. D-U-M-B fight, fight, fight

by rfirpo on Jan 30, 2008 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Email Dan Guerrero

dguerrero@athletics.ucla.edu

Maybe if he gets enough angry emails he will reconsider the decision and let everyone in. I would have no issue with keeping the Den in front, but there's no need to bar fans who supports the team as much as anyone else.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 30, 2008 11:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe...

they're talking about the 11 AM Gameday show for the "Den" only. The arena would be empty considering it eould 7 hrs before tip off. I imagine the 5 PM gameday live show in Pauley will have the gym open to everyone.... or maybe not...

"UCLA - one of the best... no the greatest university in the world."

by BruinManDan97 on Jan 30, 2008 12:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The 8 am PST show

is the one that is Den only, but I know a lot of non-Den members who wanted to go and were planning on it and now can't. There's nothing like telling loyal fans they're not wanted.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 30, 2008 12:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's my confusion:

My sister has season tickets, but the package she got does not have tickets to this Saturday's game. Would she be allowed in if she has a den shirt on? Or only if she has a ticket to the game?

I wish they'd let anyone in... makes life easier. Sticking the den in the front for the shot is not that difficult.

by freesia39 on Jan 30, 2008 2:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Update

They are allowing all students attend ESPN GameDay. As long as you show a Bruincard, you can get in. Den members just have seating priority.

by LYC on Jan 30, 2008 3:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What about all the other fans

who aren't students? Still an insult to the rest of us who support the Bruins.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 30, 2008 3:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess I'm past geezer and into fogey

But why on earth would anyone want to stand in the background and scream when guys are taping a show? Why not go try out for American Idol? It's about the same thing in my opinion. Showing school spirit? Nah. Show it at game time.

The whole thing seems to be much ado about nothing particularly significant.

The whole thing is a yawn. And sorry, Bruin Brothers and Sisters. I'm not going to be watching it anyway. I don't need a bunch of know-it-alls telling me their opinion (stated as fact) about what hasn't happened yet and which I'll understand when I see it (but don't hear it) live.

by Fox 71 on Jan 30, 2008 5:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Contrary Opinion re Digger

This will probably not be popular, but I remember Digger being the first national media type to pick UCLA to go all the way in 95. He said on ESPN that UCLA had the point guard (Edney), the wing player (O'Bannon) and the big guy down low (Zidek), and that they would be able to win it all. This was relatively early in the season, when picking UCLA was not as simple as jumping on a bandwagon. Turns out he was right.

by islandbruin on Jan 30, 2008 7:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs