UCLA Hoops Reset: Available Scholarships, Coaching Moves & Other Notes/Dates
by Nestor on Mar 31, 2010 4:33 AM PDT
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PrintLet's do a quick reset post to follow up on all the excellent discussion and analysis in our thread on the news of Bobo Morgan and Coach Donny Daniel's departure. As pointed out by Patroclus and freesia39 we now have three available scholarships. We have 7 scholarship guys left in the program and 3 earmarked for signed/committed recruits:
In School:
1. Malcolm Lee
2. Tyler Honeycutt
3. Jerime Anderson
4. Reeves Nelson
5. Mike Moser
6. Anthony Stover
7. Brendan Lane
Committed:
8. Josh Smith
9. Tyler Lamb
10. Lazeric Jones
We will have to keep an eye on the following two dates concerning Malcolm Lee:
- April 25: Deadline to declare intentions to "test" the waters.
- May 8: Deadline to withdraw from the draft.
Ideally Lee wouldn't even waste his time on it and completely focus on off-season workouts to get better for next year. However, if he does "test" the NBA waters we will have to keep an eye on those dates. BTW Howland mentioned in his press conference that he doesn't "anticipate anybody testing the waters this year." We will see I guess.
So the question is how many more scholarships will Howland dole out rest of this recruiting season. He is going all out according to his statement from this afternoon:
"I'd like to use all our scholarships up. That gives us three at least."
And he is not going to worry too much about assistant coaches until his recruiting is done:
"I'm not even worrying about that until our recruiting is done this year. There won't be a look at staff until late in the month."
I kind of like what I am hearing from Coach Ben Howland. From some of the discussions I have had with some folks associated with this program, I am getting the sense Howland is going all out on the recruiting trail and obsessed about getting UCLA back on track.
I also get the vibe that Howland has a plan in place in terms of coaching moves. Donny Daniels move came out of nowhere for us. However, his move was not the only coaching possible move percolating in the background. We have already seen reports of Joe Hillock, the Director of Basketball Operations, is applying for the head coaching position for the women's program at CSUN. That would be pretty good move for him (he also had previous head coaching experience at Southern Utah).
It's pretty standard for Howland assistant/staffers to move on to head coaching positions as we have seen through the recent moves of Kerry Keating, Ernie Ziegler and Chris Carlson (who took over the head coaching position at University of San Diego).
So these are pretty interesting times for UCLA basketball. Part of me is anxious to see how Howland is going to go about restoring the program in next two years. Another part of is me is kind of excited about the possibility of fresh blood and perspective in a program that will perfectly complement the skills of one of the best teachers in this game in Ben Howland.
GO BRUINS.
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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The fact that Howland let Daniels go
Is looking more and more promising in my view. Because Daniels is obviously his closest, most trusted, and longest-serving assistant, the fact that he’s encouraged to leave goes to show just how serious Howland is about restoring his program. I loved Daniels, but I think this is a good sign that our head coach is not being complacent.
Daniels
is also nearing retirement age and he has family in Washington. It’s a good move for him all around
by lil eg not cs on Mar 30, 2010 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Did not know that. Good for him.
I was a little surprised to hear about an asst. leaving for another asst. position, but the family angle makes sense.
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
I am optimistic and pessimistic at the same time
I think Bobo leaving makes sense for all concerned.
I am glad to hear that CBH is tearing up the recruiting trail and hasn’t lost his enthusiasm after a tough year (and the DePaul distractions).
I am not sure about filling up the scholarships – unless he is confident that he can persuade any underachievers to transfer out. The current nature of college ball seems to be that the excellent leave early for the NBA and the less gifted stay four years… so I am keen that CBH not make any panic offers just to use the scholarships up, if it is going to impact flexibility later (or have situations like this year, where three seniors are not good enough to carry a rebuilding team but are good/favored enough to keep young players out).
If Moser goes, hopefully we find someone to play SF; but we can also potentially play a three guard lineup with ML playing the 3, or go bigger maybe with BL at the 3, RN at the 4 and JS2/AS at the 5. Neither is probably ideal, but I don’t think the sky falls in if he decides not to stick it out.
I'm with Brit
I can’t easily forget the train wreck. I will hope for the best as always, but I’m going to wait and see.
The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden
What about Lamb, I don't think SF will be an issue
Tyler Lamb led Mater Dei in rebounding as well as assists and scoring. ML and Lamb could play minutes at three. ML is a very good defender who could play against a good three without many problems. TH is still the man.
The problem may be outside shooting but it could be a very good defensive team as long as we get a PG.
Lamb is a 2
He is slightly larger than ML, but he definitely isn’t someone who could last long at small forward. If MM stays, he will be the backup 3 and TL will be the backup 2 with maybe spot minutes at 3. If TL or ML are playing significant minutes at small forward next year, it isn’t going to be a very successful season.
Plus you have to remember that at 6’5 he was taller than 90% of the kids he played against in high school. Its a benefit to have a good rebounding guard (ML is also solid in this aspect), but it isn’t necessarily the most easily translated skill to college.
by bruinponcho on Mar 30, 2010 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
3s aren't necessarily that big
2 and 3 are not that different on offense. On the first CBH final four team AA played some 3 when DC and JF were both on the court. On the second and third final four team, JS was not big and at his best he was a good\very good 3. I don’t know Lamb that well so I guess I will defer to you but I do think ML could play 3 if he needed to do so.
I agree with HS stats don’t translate to college, especially rebounding. But I still assume, maybe, wrongly, that Lamb with his stats and size could potentially play some backup 3. According to what i have read, Lamb also always guarded the other team’s best player. I know it was high school but this presumably means he did guard some guys his size or bigger.
If Lamb is not a total OC bust, I think we will be okay\good on Defense with ML/Lamb/TH at 2 and 3. The big problem comes, can those guys beat a packed in zone with open 3s? ML obviously is shaky. That possibility leaves the door open for JA who can hit an open three (Cringing). Or better maybe a MM if he can hit that shot, as it seems he has the potential to play D.
I'm still uncomfortable with a SF smaller than 6'6"...
… unless they have a clear strength/ shooting/ athleticsim advantage we can capitalize on.
JS gave us that in his freshman year, before he got his first hip injury and never fully recovered. TH as a 6’8" SF was great, but then the injury plague hit and we kept using him more and more at the PF spot.
M
"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008
going all out does not mean offering 3
He has shown a willingness not to offer just to fill the team. But it is a message to recruits
Daniels is not as important now since CBH is more connected to the west coast recruiting scene
Maybe when all the asst shuffling is done MAH will have a graduate asst role though he probably wants more
by Bruin Dad and Grad on Mar 31, 2010 9:01 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Another date to keep in mind--McD tomorrow night
Tomorrow night ESPN will be showing the McDonald’s All American Game at 5pm PST. Josh Smith and Ray McCallum will be playing in that game for those interested. The beauty of having one solid commit in a game like this is that they can work on the undecideds and it sounds like Smith has been working on McCallum.
The game will be preceded at 4pm by the skills competition. Although billed as a floor general point guard, Ray McCallum nearly won the dunk contest. With all due respect to JA or Jones (who i admittedly still know nothing about), McCallum seems like the true heir to Point Guard U. In my mind he is the key to this recruiting class.
These will be an exciting and telling next few weeks for CBH.
Pre-Season Top 25 if we Get McCallum
FWIW, Steve Physioc wrote:
UCLA is also still pursuing high school All-Americans Terrence Jones from Portland, Ore., and Ray McCallum from Michigan. If they land either one of those kids, you’re looking at a top five recruiting class and a preseason top 25 ranking.
hahaha Physioc with the scoop....too funny
I know the first person I think about when I think about basketball knowledge is Steve Physioc…..lol.
Don’t get your hopes up for Terrence Jones. He is a near lock to go to Kentucky and is likely another one-and-done. I’d love to have him, but he also plays the same positions as our two best players (TH and RN) whereas he could be the next star for Calipari.
by bruinponcho on Mar 30, 2010 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree; I did put FWIW
I was surprised he could write, actually. But I am sure he is parroting what someone else told him. I like the point that we would be potentially very good next year if we get McCallum.
I agree with you on Terrence Jones.
McCallum seems to be the potential answer
to a lot of problems. I would be fine if we just got him right now. We need a PG.
JA’s future, if any, is as a shooting guard. He has shown some ability to hit the open 3 shot and drive. IMO, he will never be a D-1 PG.
I don’t know anything about Jones but think he could still play as a backup point if we got McCallum. Right now that spot to my mind is open as well.
I would be shocked
If McCallum ends anywhere else but Detroit to play for his Dad. I am more concerned about how Howland will hold down the fort around Southern California recruiting scene this summer because there are some pretty good players in next year’s class.
I wouldn’t advise to put all your hopes in McCallum basket.
Understood
I am not putting all my hopes in the McCallum basket. I do want to see CBH recruit another PG. DC and RW where not highly recruited so it could be a “B level” name. We just need another PG. Even if Jones is awesome, we still need a backup.
FWIW, I don’t think McCallum will play for his Dad at Detroit. I think he is doing his Dad a very nice favor by keeping Detroit on the list until the very end. It is great for Detroit to get mentioned in articles with national teams like UCLA and Arizona. I think Detroit is his “runner up” school. The kid wants high profile. I may be eating crow on this.
But, you are right. I am not saying he is coming to UCLA but I am going to be nervous until we have another PG.
We definitely need another pg
In this year’s class. Agree with you there. As for McCallum your line of thinking is pretty reasonable and rationale. Unfortunately the world of college hoops and its recruiting/going pro scene is often not dictated by sound rationale. We will see how it goes.
Bottom line for me is that I see UCLA’s pursuit of McCallum as a challenge. If it happens, I will be ecstatic. If he stays in Detroit, I will not count that against Ben Howland. What I do hope is that he has plan B and C in place … and also is working to establish strong relationships with the kids coming out of So. Cal next season.
Have you seen JA shoot
I think even Howland said once that JA needs to work on his shot and get a more consistent quick release. If his future is at the 2, we’re in worse trouble then we thought.
He will stay at the 1 in IMHO. If he proves able to hit an outside shot consistently it will be a bonus, but I’m not counting on it. I would prefer that he work on breaking guys down and finishing more consistently strong around the rim.
Let’s hope he commits to shooting 500 jumpers/day this off season. If not, I hope he becomes a pass first guard and defers to ML and TH to do the scoring from outside.
Yes
I am not a fan of JA but he is our best returning 3 shooter and hit 38% of his 3s. He is not a good ball handler but he has shown flashers of being a scorer, like the last game against. Cal. I don’t think he can learn to be a true PG because I am not sure he has the ability to deal with a press or ball pressure but he could be some offense off the bench.
Again, I am not sure other than he is the best 3 shooter we have left. His lack of defense is the biggest concern though so IMO IF he plays it as the 2 spot.
I think his stats are deceiving
He only made one more three pt shot than TH(10/29 vs. 11/29). I just don’t see JA as a shooter as much as he could be a scorer. If we have to rely on JA for outside production, we are in big trouble. I look at his shot and release and how badly he misses from distance and I see big issues. TH and ML just have a better stroke IMO.
Agree that JA can’t defend and has been shakey handling the ball, dealing with ball pressure and making some questionable passes. But I suspect CBH rides him at the 1 over the next 2 years, along with Laz Jones and whoever else we can land, before he moves JA to the 2.
Good point
TH had some ugly misses outside as well but you’re right the stat difference is not that much. (I love TH BTW.)
To my mind, JA was given the 1 job and played his way out, despite the fact we did not have an alternative. I hope he improves but I think there is an ability gap for him to ever be a D-1 PG.
To be honest, I am not sure he should play. I hope he improves but to me the best case he is an offensive 2 sub. Just my opinion.
I think you are both right in your own way
I think JA’s biggest issue on the offensive end is a lack of basketball IQ and an inability to instinctively run the offense. When he has to think about what he is doing (which is often) he looks tentative and makes bad decisions.
Every now and again, particularly in the open court, he just decides ‘to heck with this, I’m taking it to the hoop’ and looks good; or gets the ball in position to shoot an open jump shot and just shoots it. To me, he isn’t cut out to be a PG in CBH’s scheme; but occasionally he shows flashes of scoring ability when he doesn’t have to think about what decision to make.
by britishbruin on Mar 31, 2010 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Well stated
as always….
I have been really down on JA. But I’m leaning with Nestor towards giving him one last try to see if he can produce, both offensively and defensively, which will require some serious commitment in the off season.
anyone been watching this?
I have caught most of the second half – I am more optimistic about Smith than I was before. He is able to use his size better than I expected (having only seen him playing against much smaller kids on TV before), he had quick enough hands to pick a point guard who tried to go buy him on the perimeter in broken play, and has soft hands to catch, gather in transition and either shoot or pass.
Couldn’t tell whether he was doing a good job of working on Terence Jones or Ray McCallum on TV though…
by britishbruin on Mar 31, 2010 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Smith has great hands
He still needs to lose a little weight, but he has a good motor (unlike a certain former backup center). He uses his body very well to get space and is why I don’t want to see him lose any more weight than necessary to be in game shape. His best asset though is his hands. He catches most balls thrown near him and wins most battles for loose balls. All star games aren’t normally good for lowpost players, but Smith managed to get 10 points IIRC and played very unselfishly looking to make passes to his teammates.
I just want..
…good basketball players. Yes it’s nice to have a true pg, but if I had 5-7 good basketball players to put on the court I would not care that much. You can take pressure off of a pg by passing the ball up the court and sharing ball handling responsibilities. TH should be a better ball handler next year. If we can get two good guards to put on the court I hope a decent coach can figure out how to get the ball up the court with 3 decent ball handlers in a reasonably quick amount of time.
Yes if you insist on having your pg dribble up the court on his own every possession and your pg is JA or ML then you are not coaching your talent adequately. ML by the way was much more sure getting the ball up court and would only improve. However he is more dangerous catching and making plays on offense, so I am hoping he is not forced into ball handling and shooting desperation 3 duties like our pgs role seem to be.
I would take either McCallum or Terrence Jones without thinking twice of which one is better to have. Jones is a toolbox much like TH. If Howland can’t figure out a way to get TH, Terrence Jones and RN on the court at the same time as much as possible with this team then he is not doing his job.
I am also disappointed about JMM. Centers are the last to develop sometimes and he has yet to develop his ‘man’ legs yet. He already showed a penchant for blocking shots even if he was not quick to the ball to rebound. In a zone when you are paired with Drago who gets beat consistently on his side it is hard to have to help on his man and rebound. I can’t write off guys that our big as readily as many others and his two seasons were a total waste. It would have been nice to see him get far more of an opportunity with as much opportunity that seemed available this season.
Good Basketball Players v. a PG
This tourney really argues well for your point. MSU and WVU both lost their starting PGs and are in the final four as underdogs.
I would like TH to handle the ball more but I think we need ML to be off the ball. But I think a CBH teams needs a PG. It is important to his style. Along with the defensive problems is it is the most obvious difference from past successful CBH teams and last years.
I think this tourney demonstrates
that some less prestigious schools than UCLA have managed to stockpile backup point guards who are better than our starting point guards…
by britishbruin on Mar 31, 2010 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
That is true as well
That is why even if Jones is amazing, we still need another PG. We need to “stockpile” a bit as well.
We can take some pressure off our PG's
by rebounding on the D end and/or forcing turnovers and steals.
It’s a lot easier to move the ball up court in transition than it is to start with their D set up.
We had a systemic failure last season that forced us to play to our weaknesses. JA would not have been so exposed had we been in transition more.
sjh
There is no rebound to get
when the opposing team’s PG scores an easy layup after burning JA. Systemic failure is the right term I suppose, what with poor D leading to less offensive opportunities for us and the exact opposite for opponents in some depressing never-ending loop. The way I see it, in Howland’s preferred style of play there is really no fixing one without the other.
Generally true BUT
CBH defense is based on ball pressure not forcing TOs. Thus our goal is not transition baskets or TOs but rather unproductive possessions. (That said we should do a better job next year in transitions when we get them.) JA likely would have been exposed on offense as a weak PG even in a good CBH year.
gold's blog had a tidbit on josh smith doing some recruiting
says he’s working on ray mccallum and smith says he’s close to declaring here. anyone have any info on that? apologies if soeone already brought this up.
http://insidesocal.com/ucla/2010/03/josh-smith-working-on-ray-mcca.html
Across The Face
I think there could be one more relevant date to mention
April 14, 2010: first day basketball athletes can sign on with a school?
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