UCLA baseball is rolling: 18 wins in its last 20 games. Is this a College World Series team?
Ruffman: Two years ago, when UCLA made it to the championship series against South Carolina, the Bruins were led by a ridiculous pitching staff that had four of their pitchers selected in the first three rounds of the past two MLB drafts. Are you kidding me? The squad this year definitely has some talent and their bats have been red-hot, but the bullpen has to sustain its play, and pitchers Adam Plutko and Nick Vander Tuig need to turn into legitimate aces. If they can get the pitching to a solid level, I think they will be a force come the postseason.
Peck: When this team is firing on all cylinders, it is very hard to stop. The Bruins’ overall batting average is up from last year, and the team’s young bullpen is stepping up to every challenge thrown at it. Freshman Grant Watson looked like a senior pitching against USC at Dodger Stadium, and if juniors Jeff Gelalich and Tyler Heineman can keep the bats going into the postseason, this team has definite CWS potential.
With spring football practice underway, what are you most looking forward to in the 2012 season?
Ruffman: I’m really looking forward to the development of the front seven, particularly the defensive line. There are five former four- and five-star recruits on the defensive line, which will have only three starting spots. This means that the cream of the crop should rise to the top. In order to succeed on defense, UCLA will need its line to hold its gaps and get consistent penetration to force turnovers and negative plays. UCLA has always had the talent, so I’m looking forward to seeing if the new staff can bring it out on Saturdays.
Peck: I’m already excited with the direction coach Jim Mora is taking the program. His first practice had an intensity UCLA football desperately needs. I’m also excited to see what Kevin Prince does with his final year. If Dalton Hilliard is able to make an impact at running back and the Bruins’ defense increases its takeaways and points off turnovers, who’s to say what could happen?
How do you predict the gymnastics squad will do in this weekend’s NCAA regional competition?
Ruffman: In the past decade, UCLA has won several national titles, and this year, that will be the bar. These women are focused on getting to the championship and avenging the title they lost last year to Alabama. I have no doubt that they will rock the regionals this weekend and find their way to the NCAA Championships.
Peck: The gymnastics squad has had some truly incredible performances this year: wins over Stanford at home and California on the road, and a first-place finish in the Pac-12 Championships. That being said, the sport is so detail-oriented that the tiniest slip-up can end a team’s season. No. 3 UCLA has a good shot at securing a berth in the NCAA Championships, though.
Men’s volleyball has been ranked No. 1 numerous times through the season. Does this team have the potential to win a championship this year?
Ruffman: Yes, no doubt. I covered the team all last season and it had the talent, but lacked the consistency to win it all. This year, the Bruins have shown maturity and a killer instinct that wasn’t there last season, and because of that, I think they will have a shot. Everyone on that team knows this is Al Scates’ last season after a 50-year tenure as head coach, and they want to bring home his 20th title more than anything.
Peck: The men’s volleyball team shares a lot of similarities with the women’s national champion volleyball team. They both have a highly skilled senior setter, punishing outside hitters and deep benches. With the added motivation for the team to get another championship for coach Al Scates’ 50th and final season, this team has what it takes to win another championship for UCLA.
Who would you like to see starting at quarterback for the Bruins next season?
Ruffman: Most fans have clamored for Brett Hundley to get a shot while the media primarily thinks that Kevin Prince will be a safer choice; I’m going with Richard Brehaut. He showed last year in his time as a starter that he could take care of the ball by only throwing one interception all season. Had he not gotten injured, I believe he would have only improved his rapport with the receivers and become a very formidable QB in the Pac-12. He has had questions about his commitment to football but he recently quit baseball to join the team for spring ball. I want to see him get a shot.
Peck: I think Kevin Prince has done enough in his UCLA career to earn the starting position. Hopefully with the return of Xavier Su’a-Filo, an improved offensive line will give him some more time in the pocket. Young gun Brett Hundley has yet to get his opportunity, but next season could be the year if Prince doesn’t deliver.