Is Coach Howland Done Recruiting w/ Class Of 08?

by Nestor on Jul 30, 2007 4:43 AM PDT in Recruiting Comment 9 comments

We will start this Monday with pleasant topic: Ben Ball. By all accounts Coach Howland may have already put together the number 1 recruiting class for 2008 (without having to hire assistants with shady pasts). UCLA doesn't have any additional scholardship to give out. So the question circulating around the world of Ben Ball is whether Howland will offer a fifth scholarship? Dohn's thoughts:

I don't see it because UCLA is already one over the scholarship limit, and I don't think coach Ben Howland wants to go further over the limit. However, if the right person comes along, and he starts to get a feel during the season two players will leave, I think he would take it.

If Howland does take a 5th commit it would be from a post player. Bruins might end up finding the graduation of Mata and possible departures of Kevin Love and may be even Luc. Options on the recruiting board right now include kids like J'Mison Morgan (6'9, 265lb), Ralph Sampson (6'11, 220lb), and John Brandenburg (6'10 1/32, 215).

So where would the 5th scholarship come from. BBR has some answers:

Despite the fervent wishes of Bruin faithful, the scholarship may come from freshman Kevin Love. He has repeatedly stated he'd like to play at least two years in college, but if the 6'10 post player dominates at this level as expected and the Bruins make a strong run in the tourney, Love's mind set may change by season's end.

UCLA could also gain another scholarship through a transfer by a current player. With the recent success of the basketball program, UCLA is once again attracting the interest of the nation's most elite players, subsequently, competition for playing time on Nell and John Wooden's Court has become more intense and some players may consider transferring elsewhere rather than riding the Bruin bench all season.

Another possibility is the early departure of forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. The forward from Cameroon announced earlier this summer he had also considered making himself available for the NBA draft. Although he did not have the type of sophomore year some had expected, Mbah a Moute still possesses the type of athleticism and tenacity to play in the professional ranks. If he can develop a consistent midrange jump shot as a junior, he may be a candidate to leave early for the NBA next season. Mbah a Moute will have plenty of opportunities to develop his perimeter game as he is slated to play major minutes at the wing next season.

The UCLA coaching staff has some tough recruiting decision to make, yet its the type of problem top schools regularly face each year. And after four years into the Ben Howland-era, which includes back-to-back Final Fours, the UCLA basketball program has undoubtedly regained its elite status.

As usual make sure to read the whole post.

One way or another you can bet on Coach Howland making smart and calculated decision. I am not too worried about this.

GO BRUINS.

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you don't

know if scott was innocent or guilty of any crime. this is all speculation. one report i read was he was sitting in the car waiting for his friends who were inside the house of one of their cousins.

if these people weren't large (football player size) minorities in a semi urban neighborhood, would the cops be called as they walked around a house. would the media be treating them like they are criminals?

what's wrong with taking "a chance" on Scott. isn't he from UCLA, doesn't that mean something. who cares what neighborhood he grew up in. i'm guessing he's probably not in a gang, he's just from an innercity area and has things on his record simply because of it. if you want to criticize Dorrell as a football coach who you'd like to fire because he isn't quite good enough that is fine, but it sounds like you're just using this story to attack the head coach.

by stephons on Jul 30, 2007 6:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You can't read

Otherwise you wouldn't write that silly post.

No one here is rushing to judgment re. Scott's innocence or guilt from his latest (5th) arrest.

What people are questioning is Dorrell's competency who claims he had no idea of Scott's prior arrest records even after he knew Scott had a difficult past.

And yes it is a also a story that exposes Dorrell's incompetency as the "CEO" of UCLA's football program.

by bluestreet on Jul 30, 2007 6:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why does UCLA NEED to hire ec-cons??

Its the hiring of an ex-con that is the problem here. Do we really NEED to hire ex-cons?? Aren't there enough coaches out there without any experience like Scott who would jump at the opportunity to coach at UCLA ... and ... who are actually responsible citizens?? Coaches who don't lie on applications about their past arrests and convictions?? Coaches who don't deceive their bosses and the university that is giving them that golden opportunity?? Coaches who don't jeopardize the image and reputation of the coaching staff, football program and university by hanging around known burglars??

Get over the Scott arrest ... even if he is completely exonerated Scott and Dorrell can't escape the serious issue of Scott lying on the application regarding his arrest and conviction record.

by DumpDorrell on Jul 30, 2007 7:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its a matter of disclosure

if there was disclosure wrt to the seriousness about Scott's prior background during the hiring process, then I wouldn't have had as much of a problem with this mess.

In this case it looks like there was no disclosure. Dorrell (and UCLA) claims they were blindsided. And that make Dorrell looks out of touch and makes Scott looks dishonest. That stinks both for Scott and Dorrell/UCLA.

by bluestreet on Jul 30, 2007 7:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

WTF?

Nestor goes through the trouble of writing up a story about recruiting in basketball and you come in here writing about Eric Scott? Spare me the biased media and cops angle, that is not what this story is about. In fact this incident is almost irrelevant. Scott's prior convictions are the issue.

And we don't have to "use" this story to attack the head coach, he does it all to himself. It only reinforces what we have been saying: that Dorrel has no idea what he is doing.

by tasser10 on Jul 30, 2007 7:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs