Every so often, there is just an overwhelming number of hot topics enveloping the UCLA sports scene. The month of March represents a crossroad of sorts for winter and spring sports, so we’re opening the floor to basketball, gymnastics and baseball in this edition of the weekly showdown between DB Sports senior staffers.
UCLA baseball, which has never won an NCAA title, is off to a 6-0 start and ranked No. 19. Big deal?
Watson:Huge deal. UCLA has already faced an imposing schedule, taking on LB State, Vandy and ‘SC, and the Bruins won each contest handily. In addition, the Bruins seemed to thrive in the presence of the huge crowd at the Dodgertown Classic, which shows me that they’re capable of playing on the big stage.
Mashhood:On the contrary, John Savage’s Bruins have had high preseason rankings in the past. 2009: No. 12. 2008: No. 1. 2007: No. 13. And how far have they gone? Super Regionals in 2007, Regionals in 2008, and no playoffs in 2009. I’m holding out until later in the season to see if the Bruins are as good as their record.
Vanessa Zamarripa scored a perfect 10 on vault Friday for UCLA gymnastics. Impressed?
Watson:Actually, I’m not. Because if you’ve ever seen Van-Z vault or balance beam or seen her floor exercise, it looks like she should always get 10s. She’s that good. I don’t know much about gymnastics, but every time she completes an event, I find myself saying, “If that’s not a 10, I don’t know what is.” Go, Van-Z.
Mashhood:Oh yeah! Gymnastics judges are tougher than Chem 30CL ““ those 10s don’t come for free. This is her fourth perfect score in her UCLA career, and Zamarripa has been giving the crowd at gymnastics meets enough free Pizookies to feed L.A. County. Another 10? Now that’s impressive.
What were your lasting impressions of Senior Day for the UCLA men’s basketball team?
Watson:Feeling bad for Drago, who had another horrendous shooting display in his last game in Pauley Pavilion. Poor guy went 3-for-8 from the field, including 1-for-6 from three. What’s worse is he only grabbed one rebound, a stat that is further magnified since Reeves is out. It’ll all be over soon, Drago …
Mashhood:Aside from Mike Roll’s dad being assigned as Rick Roll (you know you laughed), Mike’s dominant performance in his last game in Pauley really stood out. Six 3s to cap off his four years at UCLA ““ way to make a case for being on the cover of the men’s basketball media guide.
Who’s the best UCLA player from the Ben Howland era currently in the NBA?
Watson:DC is doing his thing right now, but I can’t get caught up in the moment. It’s Russell Westbrook ““ triple-double last week and he is consistently putting up double-doubles for the Thunder. However, Afflalo is silently turning into one of the NBA’s top defenders. I did hit a 3 in his face in high school once. Bang!
Mashhood:Hands down, Darren Collison. He went from shooting hoops in SAC to watching Chris Paul from the bench to NBA starter. Oh, and it took less than a year. Ever since Paul’s injury, Collison has scored double figures in every game except one, not to mention a triple-double on Feb. 19 against Indiana.
Which freshman has proven to be more valuable: Tyler Honeycutt or Reeves Nelson?
Watson:T-Honey-Cutter, all day. Reeves has skills and is a beast, but he’s also a bully, which he probably won’t deny. But Ty-Ty can’t bully anyone, so he’s getting it in on skill and basketball IQ alone. In addition, since Reeves has been out, T-Cutt has picked up the rebounding slack, averaging 11.5 boards in the past two games.
Mashhood:Reeves. Aside from being a street in Beverly Hills, there’s more about Reeves that makes him valuable. He came in as a three-star recruit but was the first frosh to start. He’s the heart of the team emotionally, as well as being a major presence in the paint. Just look what happens when he’s not playing.