WELCOME BACK DC!!!!

by Nestor on Apr 26, 2008 2:59 PM PDT in Basketball Comment 32 comments

T already blogged the blockbuster story in the diaries. But this deserves attention on the center court.

So much for our goodbyes!

WELCOME BACK DARREN!!!

Photo Credit: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

When both Augustin and Abrams from Texas also put their names in the draft (tryouts) (also Ellington and Lawson from UNC), I started having this weird hunch that he was coming back. But I didn't want to jinx anything here on BN.

Well this alleviates the concerns re. potential nuclear scenario a lot. Love is still gone and he is not coming back. I am not holding out hope for RW. But if we can hold on to LRMAM, AA2, and JS ...look out.

But already next year with DC our line up looking better than the what we anticipated in the worst case scenario.

	1	2	3	4	5
	Collison	Holiday	Stanback	Gordon	Keefe
	Anderson	Roll	Lee

We still have to wait and see what happens with Roll because the injury he suffered is difficult to get back from. But this is still a huge development. And as I said above if we can even get either Luc or AA2 or both back, we are going to be set.

So again ...WELCOME BACK DARREN.

Coach Howland was emotional in his reaction:

"I have no doubt Darren would have been a first-round draft choice this season," UCLA Head Coach Ben Howland said. "It tears me up thinking about his loyalty to the program and it will be very special with him returning next year."

We can now look forward to potentially the back college back court in America in 08-09. I also have a feeling with so much speed in our line up we are going to see the same terrorizing Ben Ball defense but with a faster tempo on both sides of the court. I am already getting fired up for our next tip off.

GO BRUINS.

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BRUINS ROAR!

If Luc, Alfred and Shipp come back, then that's a solid eleven guys right there. We're definitely looking good. We might even go undefeated next year, yep I said it, write it down.

by bruin95 on Apr 26, 2008 3:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It'll be interesting

We've grown accustomed to seeing these Ben Ball teams bang and bruise, but next year's team will be different. We're going to see a small lineup, a fast lineup, we're going to run, we may press and we may play a little zone. Howland will have to get very creative next year, but has he given us any reason to believe he won't get creative and make it all work?

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 26, 2008 3:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Zone?

Can anyone find any evidence that Howland ever used a zone?

by bruin8uclap on Apr 27, 2008 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He experimented with it his first year here

and played a bit of it at Northern Arizona too. He's always preferred man to man and will only go to it as a last resort, but with a small lineup that will have length and speed he may use it upon occasion next year.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 28, 2008 1:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

Surprising to me since when a reporter asked him if he considered playing a zone Howland looked as if someone had just insulted his mother!

by bruin8uclap on Apr 28, 2008 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh my goodness

I was so sure he was going to put his name in and not hire an agent! I even reasoned it out earlier, that since he's a junior, he can totally put his name in, and if he pulls it out, he'd be graduating anyways next year, so it doesn't hurt him to put his name in.

Wow!

Please come back Luc and AA2!!

by freesia39 on Apr 26, 2008 3:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sweet

Our backcourt is definitely set. Now keeping close tabs on the LRMAM and AA2 situation, as our frontcourt will be thin. If we can also land Majok, we'll be looking good all around.

"You don't make it to the Final Four three straight times for no reason..Obviously coaching has something to do with it." Darren Collison

by godblesstyus95 on Apr 26, 2008 4:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hot damn!

That's the best news I've heard in a long time!

Reading CBH's quote, I've come to the conclusion that DC is probably the most loyal to CBH and his coaching. Why? I forget who has it as his signature, but he quotes DC as saying that coaching is the reason why we've made three straight Final Fours.

This gives me another excuse to post this video again. Watch DC's enthusiasm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt0VUSyVIr4

by bruinbabe2000 on Apr 26, 2008 4:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As the mystery poster posts above me

by bruinbabe2000 on Apr 26, 2008 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome day..

I thought for sure DC would be a lock for the NBA but I was wrong, and I am glad I was. He said he has unfinished business and I cannot wait to watch him finish that business next year. We are going to be an exciting team if we get the team we all have in mind. My DC jersey is good for another year....

GO BRUINS

by jseago on Apr 26, 2008 4:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

DC will etch his name on UCLA history

His loyalty and enthusiasm for his team and school will guarantee a spot on UCLA history. DC is the man for putting his team before his personal desires and achievements.

by burculian on Apr 26, 2008 5:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Huge, absolutely huge

Wow. Ummm....did I mention I LOVE DARREN COLLISON!!!!! I think this is absolutely the right decision for him for a number of reasons--but he made it, and there's no reason for me to try to explain what I'm sure was a much deeper decision process on his part than any of us could describe. Instead, I'm gonna be a fan. WHOO HOO!!! GO BRUINS!!!!!

We've now got nearly the same team that went to the final 4 two years ago, plus 4 star incomers and loads more experience. The future is now. U-C-L-A FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!!

by jjreicher on Apr 26, 2008 5:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

WOW

Just, Wow. Amazing young man.

I'm sorry I jumped to a premature "goodbye," to DC, but I meant every word of gratitude and support.

I'm also not forgetting that DC is an honor student, and that may have something to do with his decision.

I am very excited about next season, and that our team will be led by this tremendously gifted senior. Face it, this kid wants that national title, and he will not be denied.

(I've got to believe that CBH has a really nice grin on his face tonight when he goes to sleep...if he sleeps.)

Can't wait.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Apr 26, 2008 8:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I love DC

First Born's name WILL BE DARREN!!!!

How can you not love that smile? Thank you DC.

by Nars on Apr 26, 2008 8:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We're going...

back-to-back-to-back-to-back Final Fours, baby! (Has that been done before?)

by bruindodger on Apr 26, 2008 9:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

IIRC

some guy named Wooden did that a few times.

by Class of 86 on Apr 26, 2008 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coach

had back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back to back. Look at that a couple times. That many consecutive final fours is enough to make you dizzy.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 26, 2008 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meh

Dook going to some Sweet 16's is just as good...

by Tydides on Apr 26, 2008 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Those seven in a row weren't just Final Fours

They were NCAA Championships - the banners you see hanging in Pauley. That man set a bar!!! No worries, though. What Coach Howland is doing is extremely impressive by normal human being standards.

by waters96 on Apr 27, 2008 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are 9

backs there. Coach won 7 in a row, lost in a Final 4 then won his final title.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 27, 2008 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

incredible

Amid all the recent talk about Kevin Love's Bruin legacy, Darren Collison has catapulted himself in potential pantheon status in UCLA lore if the boys can win that elusive 12th title. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but it's going to be fun seeing a senior DC running a team full of athletes. Thanks Darren.

by ishXdavid on Apr 26, 2008 11:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome Back

Mr. Collison,

Welcome back, your dreams were your ticket out.
Welcome back to that same old place that you laughed about.
Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they're turned around.

Who'd have thought they'd lead ya (Who'd have thought they'd lead ya)
Back here where we need ya (Here where we need ya)

Yeah we tease him a lot cause we've got him on the spot,
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.

by Bruins100NCAA on Apr 27, 2008 12:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Loyalty

What a great way to wake up this morning!!!!

I'm sure that draft stock was one of a thousand things that went into this decision, but whatever all the reasons were, in the end DC CHOSE UCLA.

Others have not, which is fine. But when I think of who will be among my favorite Bruins, who has been loyal to our program and school, who MEANS UCLA when I think of him, I will start with those that CHOSE UCLA.

Thanks DC for choosing the school that I love. Your loyalty will NEVER be forgotten.

greg in denver

by gbruin on Apr 27, 2008 5:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What a Great Season It Was

Without DC's outside shooting, this team would not have won the Pac10 or advanced in the tournament. He's a tremendous competitor and I can't wait to watch him play next year. As I watched the Pistons get blown out, and Afflalo firmly planted on the bench, I wondered if AA wishes he had played one more season and made the National Championship difference.

by 75NatChamps on Apr 27, 2008 8:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

... I'm not mad at AA for leaving. I've followed college hoops for about 15 years, followed the Lakers and the NBA for about 20 years, and I understand a little bit about the realities of both businesses.

That being said, I also firmly believe this, and said it in a post here in after the last Florida loss -- if we had had AA and KL at the same time, we would have won Banner 12, and had the best college team of the last 15-20 years.

"In this program your passion bucket must be full to play SC." -- CRN, to Dan Patrick, 1/2008

by Meriones on Apr 27, 2008 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Without a doubt

About midway through the Josh Shipp shooting slump this year, I started thinking (with all due respect to Josh) what if AA had that spot in the lineup. Trade out an inconsistant shooter and mediocre defender with one of the best defenders in the country who also happens to be a scoring threat from any spot on the floor (and could have been even more dominant a scorer than we remembered given the fact that all five starters would have drawn defensive attention and spread out the opposing defense).

With AA, we definitely hang number 12 and go down as one of the greatest defensive teams in the history of the college game.

That being said, I try not to deal in the what ifs, it only leads to frustration. That's why I'll be happy with whatever team we put on the court next season.

by Pyrrhus on Apr 27, 2008 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Add DC to the list of Bruin Greats

Amongst all Bruin fans, Darren will always be mentioned on the same list as Tyus, Mike Warren, Goodrich, Hazzard, Bibby, Baron Davis. With the exception of Baron, all the rest were 4 year Bruins. No "oneders" on the that list.

by bruin75 on Apr 27, 2008 11:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

one more for the list

Earl Watson deserves to be on any list. Four years and I think he was one of the main reasons the Lavin era lasted so long.

I always liked the way he played.

by layout on Apr 27, 2008 12:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Earl Watson should be on that list

For having the college career he did in spite of CHP.

by bruinbabe2000 on Apr 27, 2008 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now, about Westbrook

I think he should stay in the draft if he is projected in the first round.

His stock is high right now after an outstanding year. He's got a good highlight reel and an NBA body. Next season he would have a lot of competition for playing time in the guard position and if he has a bad season or gets injured, it could be bad for him.

I always thought DC should stay because he didn't do well in the last game and he's smaller than the guards that NBA teams want. When DC does get to the NBA I think he will have a good career but I think he will have to prove himself all over again because of his size. If he can improve that mid range jump shot like he mentioned, that will take him very far.

I look forward to him having an excellent senior season and helping our freshmen guards learn how to play UCLA basketball.

Now if only DC and Jrew could convince KL to stick around for a championship...

by layout on Apr 27, 2008 2:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

DC!!

Been away from the computer a few days, but what a way to come back! (pardon the pun) Looks like Shipp is going to test the NBA waters. Wonder if her felt with our incoming guards, he would see less playing time? He has said earlier there was no doubt that he was returning to play his senior year. Hmmmm...

Go UCLA!

by madmaxucla on Apr 27, 2008 3:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He'll be back

as will Mbah. They're just using their last chance to test the waters but there's no way they're going first round and possibly not even 2nd for Shipp. Good for them, have some NBA teams pay for their travels and get their feet wet for next year. GO BRUINS.

by brewin05 on Apr 27, 2008 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs