So Wednesday night at the Sports Arena I ran into a girl I had a
crush on back in high school.
I was at the game with two of my roommates, and she (it figures
she turned out to be a Trojan) was there with a friend whom one of
my buddies knew.
As my roommate chatted up his friend, I could only stand there
silently and chuckle to myself, remembering how my high school
acquaintance didn’t exactly return the crush.
Just like me in tenth grade, the Bruins couldn’t score
last night against Southern Cal.
I couldn’t even manage a hello, just as the Bruins
couldn’t manage a basket or two when it counted. It looks
like the Bruins have forgotten how to win, as their losing streak
has ballooned to nine games.
Over 10,000 fans packed into USC’s shanty of an arena
Wednesday night, and I counted 85 Bruin supporters. The designated
UCLA section of the arena was practically empty ““ the dance
squad and band outnumbered the Bruin fans.
“I am surprised at how few UCLA fans are here,” USC
junior Josh White said. “But it is because you (UCLA) have
such a terrible coach. I’d be scared of UCLA if it had a real
coach.”
UCLA head coach Steve Lavin certainly made some interesting
coaching decisions. Lavin neglected to pull forward Andre Patterson
after he was called for a quick second foul in the first half, and
sure enough, Patterson expediently picked up his third foul,
forcing Lavin to pull the sophomore with 8:15 remaining in the
half.
Additionally, Lavin neglected to take out point guard Ryan
Walcott after he was awarded a technical foul for jawing with USC
point guard Robert Hutchison.
Walcott, your team is 4-14. What could you possibly have had to
say?
Lavin is consistent in choosing not to discipline his players
““ he didn’t pull forward Dijon Thompson when he
committed technical fouls against Oregon and Washington State
earlier this season.
At least UCLA does have a better halftime giveaway opportunity
for its students than Southern Cal. USC and UCLA both have shooting
contests in which students have the chance to sink a halfcourt shot
and win some tuition. However, UCLA awards its contestants for
making the shots leading up to the big one ““ with board
games, espresso machines and lollipops. Trojans get nothing for
making a layup, free throw or three-pointer.
Don’t we wave our car keys and credit cards at USC fans
for a reason?
After my initial encounter with my former crush, I sat through
the entire game, kind of feeling like an idiot. I wanted to run
into her, and at least say hello.
I bet you are wondering whether I got the chance encounter I so
desired.
Well, I didn’t.
I guess it was fitting ““ us Bruins don’t get what we
want.