2023 - 24 UCLA hoops roster as you described resembles an amateur international ball club. Never have we had these many foreign players, dating back to Jim Harrick's tenure. The center then hailed from Czech Republic. I hope these recruits pan out but it will take time to mold them into a competitive team.
My thoughts are on the football team. The extension given to whatyoumightcallit seems like a desperate, stop gap measure to delay an exhaustive, time consuming coaching search at the eve of a high profile entry into the Big Ten. USC is ready. They should make an instant splash while we gingerly dip our toes into the water, not knowing what to expect. I know my other alma mater Wisconsin is even chomping at the bits at this point. Luke Fickell will make his presence felt. As usual, my Rose Bowl season tickets will go to our neighbors' kids.
I am glad we are in agreement regarding Kelly. The emperor has no clothes. With his heralded career at Oregon, you would tend to think he should do well at UCLA. So goes the thinking. Besides, his NFL dismal experience was a mere fluke because many other NCAA coaches likewise failed. But no, it turns out he is doing even worse at Westwood. We have a couple of Kelly apologists vehemently defending him and celebrated his two year extension as if it was New Year's Eve all over again after the news was announced. I believe the timing of it, when our basketball team was making a valiant run in the tournament, had its reason too. Our alums were joyous. Cronin commanded center stage. This disappointment about his retention won't distract too many, consider the circumstances. Northwestern just dismissed its coach. Here is an ideal opening for Kelly.
I was not serious anyway. Northwestern ain't no fool. Who wants a retread coach with nothing competitive, innovative to offer ? After UCLA, I presume he can still seek part time employment as high school football consultant. Again, I am being sarcastic because even with that, any high school program would take a huge risk seeking his advice, not even for $15 an hour fee. The UCLA contract has made him a millionaire at the expense of other things the athletic department could use with that money. Unbelievable indeed.
Late last year, when some of us met Jarmond at the NYC's Madison Square Garden. I honestly thought he was indeed contemplating dismissing Kelly because the buy out phase had elapsed. He talked as if something was really happening behind the scene, reminiscent of USC's multi pronged stealthy moves to lure Oklahoma's heralded coach to La La land. How they did it then worth every penny, every maneuver, every secretive phone call to seal the Riley deal that jolted Norman fans in stunned disbelief when news broke. I truly thought Westwood was orchestrating a sequel equally shocking to its crosstown nemesis. As it is, the extension merely prolongs the football woes. Nobody dares to pull the trigger.
My starting 5: Dylan, Jan, Ilane, Berke, Bona. Cronin has other plans, I'm sure.
Alfie must be in a jealous rage over a 2-bigs lineup of Bona and Mara.
It was a given upon his signing that Ivo would be a temporary hire. I just didn't think it would be only a year. Too much experience and smarts to remain in college as a recruiter. I credit and respect his work and dedication during his stay. He didn't just mail it in for a paycheck and to golf.
If I had to guess right now, I'd swap Vide with Stefanovic at the start. There's a lot of really fun lineups they can go with here, though. They could at some point put Berke, Bona, and Mara all on the floor at the same time along with Dylan and Ilane and just dare teams to do anything against all that size, or they could go "small" and play Ilane down at the 4 with Andrews, Vide, and Mack/McClendon.
I prefer Stefanovic as the calming, experienced player off the bench, rather than throwing another freshman in that rotation spot and demanding results.
2023 - 24 UCLA hoops roster as you described resembles an amateur international ball club. Never have we had these many foreign players, dating back to Jim Harrick's tenure. The center then hailed from Czech Republic. I hope these recruits pan out but it will take time to mold them into a competitive team.
My thoughts are on the football team. The extension given to whatyoumightcallit seems like a desperate, stop gap measure to delay an exhaustive, time consuming coaching search at the eve of a high profile entry into the Big Ten. USC is ready. They should make an instant splash while we gingerly dip our toes into the water, not knowing what to expect. I know my other alma mater Wisconsin is even chomping at the bits at this point. Luke Fickell will make his presence felt. As usual, my Rose Bowl season tickets will go to our neighbors' kids.
I am glad we are in agreement regarding Kelly. The emperor has no clothes. With his heralded career at Oregon, you would tend to think he should do well at UCLA. So goes the thinking. Besides, his NFL dismal experience was a mere fluke because many other NCAA coaches likewise failed. But no, it turns out he is doing even worse at Westwood. We have a couple of Kelly apologists vehemently defending him and celebrated his two year extension as if it was New Year's Eve all over again after the news was announced. I believe the timing of it, when our basketball team was making a valiant run in the tournament, had its reason too. Our alums were joyous. Cronin commanded center stage. This disappointment about his retention won't distract too many, consider the circumstances. Northwestern just dismissed its coach. Here is an ideal opening for Kelly.
I was not serious anyway. Northwestern ain't no fool. Who wants a retread coach with nothing competitive, innovative to offer ? After UCLA, I presume he can still seek part time employment as high school football consultant. Again, I am being sarcastic because even with that, any high school program would take a huge risk seeking his advice, not even for $15 an hour fee. The UCLA contract has made him a millionaire at the expense of other things the athletic department could use with that money. Unbelievable indeed.
Late last year, when some of us met Jarmond at the NYC's Madison Square Garden. I honestly thought he was indeed contemplating dismissing Kelly because the buy out phase had elapsed. He talked as if something was really happening behind the scene, reminiscent of USC's multi pronged stealthy moves to lure Oklahoma's heralded coach to La La land. How they did it then worth every penny, every maneuver, every secretive phone call to seal the Riley deal that jolted Norman fans in stunned disbelief when news broke. I truly thought Westwood was orchestrating a sequel equally shocking to its crosstown nemesis. As it is, the extension merely prolongs the football woes. Nobody dares to pull the trigger.
I mean the jury is still out on Riley right? We’ll see…
My starting 5: Dylan, Jan, Ilane, Berke, Bona. Cronin has other plans, I'm sure.
Alfie must be in a jealous rage over a 2-bigs lineup of Bona and Mara.
It was a given upon his signing that Ivo would be a temporary hire. I just didn't think it would be only a year. Too much experience and smarts to remain in college as a recruiter. I credit and respect his work and dedication during his stay. He didn't just mail it in for a paycheck and to golf.
If I had to guess right now, I'd swap Vide with Stefanovic at the start. There's a lot of really fun lineups they can go with here, though. They could at some point put Berke, Bona, and Mara all on the floor at the same time along with Dylan and Ilane and just dare teams to do anything against all that size, or they could go "small" and play Ilane down at the 4 with Andrews, Vide, and Mack/McClendon.
I prefer Stefanovic as the calming, experienced player off the bench, rather than throwing another freshman in that rotation spot and demanding results.
Rumor mill.
Zaragoza replaces Mara with Okafur.
Mac transfers to WVA.
Will Mara get minutes if he doesn't join the team until the exhibition games?
At the final Dead show in San Francisco sitting near you guessed it Bill Walton! Although he probably has a backstage pass as well.
I am very happy to see such an international group like amateur Olympics