UCLA may have lost the championship game Monday, but its run
through the NCAA Tournament was certainly not all for naught.
Viewing all the Bruins’ games through the NCAA Tournament
were UCLA’s potential recruits, and that exposure can only
help the Bruins’ recruiting in the future, says assistant
coach and recruiting coordinator Kerry Keating. “It helps add
to the name of UCLA and the tradition of our program,”
Keating said. “It also adds validity to our recruits when we
tell (them) that we can be perennial Final Four contenders.”
UCLA currently has two scholarships available for the 2007
recruiting class and is expected to add forwards James Keefe and
Marko Spica from the 2006 class. The Bruins know that if they
return to the Final Four next season and further down the line they
are going to have to continually add more talent. “We want
these guys to know that if they come to UCLA they can be competing
for Final Fours right away,” Keating said. “That is why
it is important that we build around our young nucleus and continue
to add new players.” UCLA’s style of play has recently
been questioned in the national media for its slow-down, defensive
approach and its lack of appeal to potential recruits. Keating,
however, feels that statement couldn’t be further from the
truth and has the evidence to prove it. “The first voice mail
I got after the Memphis game was from a potential recruit who
congratulated us on our defense,” Keating said.
“Players who want to come to UCLA understand what our program
is about, and they understand we emphasize all aspects of their
game. “We want them to be sound on defense, as well as on
offense, because you have to be solid all around if you want to
make it to the next level.” Keating, recently voted by
Scout.com as one of the top college recruiters in the nation, now
plans to spend the next few weeks on the road recruiting, as the
Bruins are already far behind in the recruiting process due to
their extended postseason run.
HAZZARD TO GIVE UP NUMBER: Former Bruin great
Walt Hazzard, as requested by coach Howland, agreed last week to
give up his No. 42 for recruit Kevin Love if he decides to sign
with the Bruins. Love, a 6-foot-9-inch junior from Lake Oswego,
Ore., is Howland’s top recruit for the Class of 2007. Howland
is forbidden by NCAA rules to talk about potential recruits, but he
explained the situation. “We’re recruiting a player
right now ““ kids get attached to a number, which is
understandable ““ who wears No. 42,” Howland said.
“So I asked permission from Walt and explained who this kid
was, who I can’t mention right now because it would be
illegal, but he was great and very gracious. (He said) absolutely,
whatever is going to help the program get a good player.
That’s what he wanted.” Love, who has worn the number
42 his entire life, took an unofficial visit to the UCLA campus on
Feb. 4 during the UCLA-Arizona basketball game at Pauley
Pavilion.