Bruin Recruiting: Prep News Roundup (1/24)

By Bruin Basketball Report

Prep News Roundup is published every Monday. 

Commits

The Hornets punctuated the Eastern League win with dunks from Norman Powell and Tyree Robinson in the final seconds. “They hit tough shots and they came to play today. Luckily we gutted it out at the end,” Bryant said. Powell led Lincoln with 18 points as one of three starters in double figures.  San Diego Reader 1/18

Recruits

Bishop O'Dowd-Oakland (12-3), The Chronicle's top-ranked team, blew a 44-31 halftime lead, losing 86-85 in double-overtime to Sacramento (12-4). The game was a rematch of last year's Division III Northern California final, won by O'Dowd. Anders Haas led O'Dowd (12-3) with 21 points, but Brandon Ashley, one of the nation's top-ranked juniors, fouled out at the 3:05 mark in regulation with 10 points and six rebounds.  SF Gate 1/17

The adjustment was too much for the visiting Cougars to handle.  Sophomore wing, Michael Loomis harassed the Gervais guards into turning the ball over and dished the ball ahead to Junior Jordan Tebbutt who finished uncontested at the other end on successive trips down the floor to put the Hawks up 6-2.  That ignited a 16-0 run for Horizon Christian the rest of the opening quarter, with the Hawks up 18-2....Tebbutt paced a balanced Hawks scoring effort with 14 points.  Portland Examiner 1/18

I know you remember him...DeAndre Daniels?? The kid that was undecided the last time we left him...worse than Brett Favre undecided... He was down to Texas, Kentucky, Kansas, and Oregon. He was first committed to Texas..he then decommitted. Then he went to IMG Academy and played a half a year of Prep School. Next he said he was taking visits. He came to Kentucky, went to eat at Malone's and caught a game at Rupp Arena. He was then rumored to visit North Carolina State, but decided not to go.. He instead revisited Texas.. He has been in limbo ever since.  Nation of Blue 1/20

Junior point guard Jordan Tebbutt and Sophomore Calvin Anderson added 13 and 11 points respectively.  Tebbutt nearly recorded a triple double in the game collecting nine rebounds and dishing out nine assists to go along with his 13 points, in just over 16 minutes of playing time. Portland Examiner 1/21

In the Trinity League, Santa Ana Mater Dei defeated Santa Margarita, 66-46. Freshman Stanley Johnson had 17 points and junior Xavier Johnson had 14 points. LA Times 1/21

Comments

[windycityds]

"Well-coached Spartan team"? You continue to rip Howland (while in case you haven't noticed but many who are actually paid to analyze the game say Howland did a great job mixing and matching), yet where was MSU ranked coming into the season? Gee...Izzo must really be outstanding. Where does the "well-coached" part come in?

[insider]

I told you guys in the beginning, 20-10, NCAA.
Malcolm is gone, deserving so. Tyler and Smith need to stay. Powell and De'End along with the Wears will make the others compete for their jobs. You will see Rough and Tumble practices which will make for a team that looks alot like Howlands first 4 years here. I do see some defections with those who can't mustard up. They could end up in UNLV or New Mexico. Top 10 team next year, NO DOUBT!

[insider]

Is Cluster's right? This website is dead. John Wooden would have a quote or two if he were here.
Those in control seem to have given up, time to pass it to the crew.

[Jammer]

They simply stopped playing after the first 7 minutes of the game. There is no excuse for that.

Face another Oregon? Oregon didn't make it.

They face a scrappy, well coached experienced Spartan team that is ready to give someone a beatdown after losing to Penn State and after beating a very good Purdue team.

Let's wait for better things from next year's team and hope Smith loses 30 pounds.

[Jammer]

According to you, no team needs a coach to prepare a team. It has to come from within.
Well, this team doesn't have the maturity and accountability to look at themselves and say: "what can I do to halp this team win?"
Honeycutt stated to the press that they weren't focused in the warmups. That they weren't prepared; that they took the Ducks too lightly.
Why would you come into a game with that kind of a mindset?
Howland himself said he didn't prepare them. That's inexcusable. This guy is supposed to be an elite coach.
I live in Michigan and the Spartans are coming in with a huge chip on their shoulders and will be taking it out on the Bruins from the inside and the outside. No one can stay with Lucas and the Michigan front line is relentless on the boards. There is no one who can match up against Green and Smith will be schooled by the veteran front line of the Spartans.
If the Bruins play like they did against Arizona, they have a chance. This team needs to stay close and not fall behind early. If they can stay out of foul trouble and run at every opportunity, they will be close. They will not be able to go against State's half court defense. The UCLA offense is stagnant and they don't move well without the ball.
Howland should watch tapes of Notre Dame and see how all five players move all the time.
One and done or if they get lucky ... another blowout at the hands of the Gators.
I have no Vendetta. I love my school and want them to succeed, but Howland and the football coach get a free pass for their lack of preparation.
I watched all the great Wooden teams; unselfish; thoughtful, prepared; never surprised. These guys have the deer in the headlights look about them all the time.
That's my beef with Howland.
Check the stats and see how many time outs he has to use up in the firts half if they fall behind by a few points. He doesnt adapt to his or the opposition's personnel.
Yes, the players have to play the game; but they are kids and they need to get some guidance both mentally and physically from their coach.
Next year will be better. If they keep improving they will be a force in the Pac 10. RN and TH will be in the D League if they leave for the draft. Stay one more year and grow as men and athletes.
Nelsen needs to stop pouting; Smith needs to stop fouling; Anderson needs to make free throws and Honeycutt needs to use his athletic superiority against weaker opponents. It's not going to happen.

Izzo is a top three coach in the game and he will have his team prepared.

Will CBH do the same?

It remains to be seen.

A good improvement and if that what the Bruin fan is looking for ... an improvement. CBH deserves to stay. If they want to contend for top flight recruits and challenge in the Pac 10, he has to change or AD DG has to make a change.

Unfortunately, he's not in jeopardy of losing his job. Plus there isnt anyone who would want the job. If you know of anyone who would want the position; let me know. There are fifty schools with better programs than UCLA, currently. UCLA will stay the course with CBH and never be in the conversation for a national championship for a very long time.

[BB fan]

CH has done a tremendous job at Ucla. But at times he is too stubborn. So stubborn that he may not put his team in the best position to win.

Against Oregon, he should have experimented with a zone(s) once it became clear his players could not prevent Oregon's dribble penetration. And with Ucla's personel being long, big and slow, a zone might have been a better choice against a team they did not match up with.

I agree Ucla's effort was poor, but it seemed to grow out of frustration from their inability to stop Oregon.

As long as they don't face another Oregon in the tournament, their game(s) should be entertaining.

[SonnyClusters]

Go to the other Bruin fan blog pages for updated material and insight.This website has been abandoned...once a great site, not any more! Please turn the lights off when you leave...

[windycityds]

Jammer, I don't know you, but you seem to be one of these guys with a vendetta, and who loves pointing fingers and stirring up issues. You're going to blame Howland for the lethargic play against Oregon? Howland didn't have these young adults ready to play at Staples Center in the opening round of the conference tournament while preparing for the NCAA tournament and playing for a higher seed? Give me a break! If you need your coach to inspire you with all that on the line, you should be in your dorm playing video games on Thursdays and Saturdays. Within the first five minutes of the game, Marques Johnson was already talking about the Reeves Nelson demeanor and funk. Is that Howland or is that Nelson?

My hunch is that you weren't in the locker room, either...unless you have a pass from Howland and the staff to come and go as you choose. How about Howland stays and you go?

[Jammer]

They had too many men on the court against the Ducks.
Please tell me this coach has control of this team.
They are a joke!
What the Ducks did to the Bruins was indicative about how passionless and careless this group is.
They are in. Hope they are a 15th seed and get their heads taken off.
What happened last night was inexcusable.
Howland didn't have them prepared and they have one more game this year and that will be a loss as well.

USC might win the tourney again and get in. Add insult to injury.

Get your heads out of the sand.

They need to go after Mark Few or a younger coach who these guys respect.

Howland had a good run; it's time to wish him the best of luck as we watch Pitt gain another # 1 or 2 seed.

[Sandip O'malley]

whether he goes or not, Honeycutt is definitely not ready for the nba...Josh Smith, maybe. - on his size alone. but Honeycutt-type players are a dime a dozen at the nba level. Honeycutt will be riding the pine all the way to europe. best he stay and enjoy college.

[BB fan]

All in all I felt Ucla played a good game. The effort was there, but they committed too many turnovers at crunch time. Perhaps a couple of backdoor plays to the wings would have opened up the passing lanes.
So despite playing in WA, and Reeves and Honeycutt playing below standard, and WA playing inspired defense; Ucla still held a 3 point lead with 5 minutes to play.
That would not have been the case earlier in the year, and is a testament to how much this team has improved.

[Jammer]

NPU:
Give me a break!

Did you watch last night's game? Huskies overplayed and were right in their Bruins chests all game. V-Cut, back door, pick and roll? Could they do any of these? No! Honeycutt, missing in action. Anytime Anderson leads you in scoring, the starters didn't do their jobs!

Then we have Romar outcoaching the "caretaker". Huskies used a zone out of a timeout and the Bruins had no clue what to do. He Ben; expect it!

They are not a top 50 team. Be realistic. They will have to go through USC, or the Washington Schools to get to the Pac 10 championship. Let's hope they don't draw Cal for their opening game or it will be an early exit there as well.

A great year; but not worth gloating about.

[windycityds]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/24496/uscs-kevin-oneill-speaks-up-for-rival-ucla

USC's Kevin O'Neill speaks up for UCLA
March, 1, 2011
Mar 1
4:25
PM ET

By Diamond Leung
USC coach Kevin O'Neill is confused why crosstown rival UCLA isn't ranked in the national polls this week -- especially after the Bruins beat Arizona by 22 points on Saturday and pulled into a tie with the Wildcats atop the Pac-10.

"All I hear about is BYU and St. John's every time I turn on the TV. BYU, St. John’s. BYU, St. John’s. UCLA beat 'em both," O'Neill said.

"Our league just doesn't get the credit for whatever reason. Maybe it's because we live in a different country. You know, we're three hours behind everybody. But to me, they're a top-15, -16 team. I think they've really come along and become a really, really good basketball team."

O'Neill noted that since UCLA lost at USC on Jan. 9, the Bruins have won 12 of their past 14 games, and that coach Ben Howland and his staff have seen freshman center Joshua Smith continually improve.

"I always hear people joking he's Oliver Miller. He's much more skilled than Oliver Miller.

"I think the kid's really, really a good player. He's got a big-time upside. He may end up being the best player out of this league at the next level no matter what."

Howland indicated he wasn't really focused on whether his team was ranked.

"I’m not even thinking about it, so it’s nice Kevin would say that," Howland said. "I don’t know what to say. All I know is I know our league is very good."

In the final week of the regular season, UCLA goes on a difficult road trip to the Washington schools with hopes they can keep pace with Arizona. The win against the Wildcats on Saturday has buoyed those hopes.

"That was our best game of the year," Howland said. "We played very good defense for 40 minutes, and we did a good job of executing offensively."

[Bruin66]

Carpe diem, bro. Let's back THIS year's team
and ease up on negatives like which players to dump.

Leave that logic to the NBA (NY?).

-

[BruinFan]

Who would have guessed 21 wins?

CBH is quietly working his magic

[NPU]

Jammer must be suffering from some type of self-esteem issue. Never consistent with the comments.

[Jammer]

They looked great, and AZ looked awful. If they can sweep Washington schools; they could slide into a 6th seed in the tourney and play a # 11 seed from a smaller conference.
That Cal loss and the one at USC will come back to haunt them.
USC is playing with a swagger and if they sweep Washington and W State, that will help our Pac 10 seeds and give us a couple of more wins heading into the Madness.
Fitting that Wooden's great grand-son gets the final basket at Pauley. A feel good story all the way around.
If they play like they did against the Cats, they will make some noise.
Hope Nelsen isnt contemplating NBA after career day. If he can do that once, he should do that every game. He has the tools to be dominant. Stop pouting and play with a chip. That's what they all did.
Malcolm Lee is one tough kid. That dunk over Hill was poster material. He is quietly leading them without too much drama attached.
3 Point %age has to improve. Teams will play zone and they better know how to attack it.
A good week. Let's hope it continues.

[Bruin66]

Stover was a force in the box, no doubt.

We do have the talent to make tournament noise - and it all starts with CBH.

[BB fan]

The Bruins obviously played their best game of the year against AZ. They were focused on both ends of the floor for 40 minutes. If they can maintain the same effort and focus, Ucla can definitely make some noise in the NCAA tournament.
And I take my hat off to Stover. He blocked 4 shots and altered numerous others, making it difficult for AZ to score in the box. I hope he does not transfer
A good game for everyone.

[Jammer]

That's what all good pundits do.
Cal loss has them out. Miracle run in last 4 weeks (sweep of Washington and Arizona schools) and they will be on the bubble. Split final 4 and they are out.
Even if they manage to squeeze in as a 14 to 16 seed; does that mean they are back on the National level? I think not! This is UCLA. I suppose die hards will say, we had an improvement from last year. It's a start. But with no committed recruits except Powell (a good player) and Lee and Honeycutt thinking of leaving; it will be another rebuilding year for CBH and the baby Bruins.

[Jammer]

Still feel the same way after the way they played at Cal? That was a layup drill for thwe kid who scored 34. That will come back to haunt them. Arizona is a legitimate # 10 in the country and you will see why on Saturday.
Honeycutt is an average college player at best. If he goes, I will still sleep well. Look at his turnover ratio and he is non existent in crunch time.
They were never in the game. If Cal fouled before Lee puts up the prayer, it's over in regulation.
In overtime; they simply watched as the pony tail kid went to work on his layups.
Take a charge; get weakside help; stop the ball. They did nothing.
If they don't sweep final four games and have a deep run (finals) of Pac 10 tournament; they are not going. Top 25 teams are all bunched up and that will mean less at large berths for teams like UCLA and Michigan State.
Hey: It's a good turnaround from last year's miserable display and it will save BH's job, but they are not a top 50 team. If they do get in; thank Steve Lavin and the play of his squad against top tier teams. Committee will see that as a signature win; but far too many bad losses; Cal is the latest one of them.

[SonnyClusters]

I never thought Russell Westbrook would go early, let alone the 4th pick overall. Both Lee and Honeycutt would benefit from another year. We will see how the NBA collective bargaining talks go...

[SonnyClusters]

They absolutely deserve credit. My post was a tongue and cheek response to one of the naysayers.

[Bruin66]

Give the team and BH credit for their improvement. More to come.

[windycityds]

There are 2 rounds of NBA draft, last I checked, and someone has to go. That doesn't necessarily mean a kid should. Yeah, it'll be a lot of dough for anyone, let alone an 18-...19-year-old kid. But if they're still overwhelmed and overmatched when that contract runs out, they'll be looking for a job overseas or coaching high school ball somewhere. Can Honeycutt go? Yeah, it looks like he'll be on that list. Should he? Nope. Lots of holes in his game. Very average foot speed and not very quick...not great putting the ball on the floor...only a decent ballhandler. He does have nice height and an ability to shoot over defenders. Has a nose for the block when playing help defense. And can drop some sweet dimes. But I thought Holiday needed another year, so take my analysis with a grain of salt.

[SonnyClusters]

Honeycutt WILL be going to the NBA next year. Accept it, you'll sleep better. If you haven't noticed, the "jokers" are on a 9 game winning streak and have won 10 of 11. Also U Dub has been playing like crap lately and sit BEHIND these "jokers" in the PAC-10 standings.HONEYCUTT=GONE!

[Sandip O'malley]

Remember Mike Tyson in the 80's...intimidations sometimes work...if Stover looks tough, block shots and grab boards, I have no beef with him. Key to next year is if Smith and Honeycutt are staying. Them plus the Wears coming off the bench...add a cocky, high flying 6'6" freshman and we should be a definite contender.

[windycityds]

Lamb will be a good ballplayer. And how soon we forget that Lane was playing as consistently well as anyone early on, but Stover has eaten into his minutes in addition to an injury and family issue. Lane adds a better offensive presence -- in part because Stover has no game at all at that end -- but Stover has stepped in and added some enforcement around the basket. Not to pick on Lee, but let's not forget that while he's picked it up recently, he was wildly inconsistent. The best thing is that of late, everyone is contributing in one form or another. Even JA has played well, and I think that's directly attributable to Zeke's addition, Ben's smart use of JA, and Anderson's own improvement.

[Jammers the bomb]

Good job Jammer. On the same update you tell us how UCLA will not be invited to any post season tournamement and you also tell us the reasons that they will get into the NCAA tournament. Rich.

[BruinFan]

Lane, Stover, Lamb - not an option on the poll ...only kidding...I get whatcha are saying...clear room and get Cameroonians along with a point guard...

[Jammer]

Honeycutt is not a Lottery pick, no matter what the experts say. All these jokers should stop yapping and play for this team. They owe it to the fans who have stuck by these jokers. Norm Powell is a fabulous player. Better than anything they have currently.
Malcolm Lee has played well the past month and he has become the leader of this team.
Lamb, Lane, Stover all need to get out of Westwood.
They have merely beaten up on the bottom feeders in the PAC 10. They need to win the remaining games, not lose to Cal or Stanford or AZ State. Tough games against the Washington schools and Arizon who will be making noise at the big dance.
These guys have done nothing. If they get in, it will be beacause BYU and St. John's keeps on winning.

[Matt Stairs]

Let me first say, I WILL NOT pay for this website...Tyler Honeycutt would be stupid to leave. Next year's team is going to make more noise so I'd stick around and ride that wave of hype...The team has been playing better, but consistency will come with a strong finish...and consistency is definitely needed for a championship run in 2012. Go Bruins!

[SonnyClusters]

Honeycutt is a lottery pick(talentless draft) and Lee is working towards first round status. TH is gone for sure with Lee a possible first round pick. Hope for strong NBA lockout talk to keep these guys in school. With that said, a nice and needed 4 game home-stand sweep. I also feel sorry for the scrubs. Maybe too late in the year to play the un-playables. Next Bay area roadie...

[bruin4life]

Seriously BruinFan, that's a bit harsh. Anderson has improved A LOT since last year and even Stover has come along nicely this year. You can tell that both of them have gained much needed confidence. Even Lane isn't that bad.

What was bad was when the walk ons came off the bench at the end of the Oregon State game. But I feel bad for them, It's not easy to sit for an hour and then get up and play against guys that are angry and feeling it.

Also, I too miss the recaps.

Finally, is anyone else worried that the teams nomad status next year will effect Honeycutt/Lee's decision to stay?

[Bruin66]

I am with you, ASK, and too much negative comment.

Life is too short to complain about an 18-7
team.

[ASK]

Go back to Bruinbasketballreport of old and recap games, give us practice/midweek updates, stories, etc etc.

This was my favorite website of all time by far. I will even pay.

Thanks for reading and there will be an even bigger thanks for going back to the good old days!!!!

[BruinFan]

Poll:

Who leaves the UCLA program?

A) Lane
B) Stover
C) Anderson
D) All of the above
E) You would like to mention two names

My vote:
Anderson earned a spot off the bench from me
E) Lane/Stover need to get get a clue and move on

We do have the Wear twins nxt yr...not saviors by any means

[BruinFan]

Honeycutt...Lee....

Go to NBADRAFT.NET

Honeycutt's gone 4 sure...
Man, they each have sooo much to improve on...

[Insider]

This is what I see next year. Starting 5 Nelson, Honeycutt, Lee, Jones, Smith. Top 3 reserves, Anderson, Wear twins. Next 4 just in case you need them Stover, Lane, Lamb and Powell. Things can change especially for Powell because of his toughness. Hit the wieghts reserves.

[BruinFan]

Nice "D" last night, then again, SC missed wide open shots...

I pray to Bruin Nation Zeke's xrays on his hand are negative...Anderson get ready!

6'6 tight end is cool but a 6'8TE and a 6'8OL...they sure eat their Wheaties...I say we will surprise people in Football nxt yr....Talent is their and this class was a good patch job...still top 50....Rock on Bruins!!

[SonnyClusters]

Ben will be in deep doo doo if he:

1-Loses to SC TWICE in ONE season...
2-Loses to STEVE LAVIN...
3-LOses to either Oregon or OST.

A clean sweep is the only answer with this 4 game homestand. THEN we can talk NCAA.

[BruinFan]

I'm not opposed to Lane, Stover and Andersons spots opening up. Reality is Anderson has done well off the bench so I think he will be around. Lamb, it's too early to tell but like the Wears, he is from the OC and soft...i.e. James Keefe...We can't expect the Wear twins to save us...Imagine our team next year, assuming Honeycutt leaves. I do not see us making the NCAA tny next year either....some drastic changes have to happen at the end of the season...

Open up roster spots
Where r the Cameroonians???

Pauley will not be open to CBH if this continues....I will hold my breath the rest of the season on the road....

The games this week are CRUCIAL must W's. CBH may not last after this year....

[bruin4life]

I've been thinking about this a lot, and I think it might be a problem with UCLA in general. On Honeycutt's bio it says he came to UCLA for the "exposure." Whatever happened to student athletes who actually tried to learn something? These primadonnas are attracted to UCLA because of the legacy...not because they want to represent the school, but because they want the school to help give them a boost.

The problem with the basketball team in particular is compounded by the fact that Howland coaches hard man to man defense in a time where most young players don't want to play D.

If Tyler Honeycutt thinks he is good enough for the NBA, then I suggest he give John Wall a call and ask him how that's going. Is the money really worth moving to a backwater town to play for a terrible team?

[Jammer]

SOM:
We don't have a Derek Williams. Our front line plays like Vanessa Williams. Is everyone out there blind? BH has lost control of this team. Where there is smoke, there is fire. The defections, the transfers, the playing time issue, the lack of discipline, allowing opposition fans to get inside his players heads, blowing 2nd half leads, not recruiting for needs; losing recruits to PAC 10 rivals; not bringing in leaders with toughness; there is no team chemistry.

Come on Bruin Nation. The man is enjoying the sun and the beach. He would never allow this to go on in PITT. He has allowed these sunshine boys to run all over him. He second guesses himself all the time. He has lost the edge, the fire and doesn't teach fundementally sound basketball. When St. John's makes the NCAA before UCLA -- it will be validated.

This team is a joke. It will not be invited to any post season tournamement. Stover, Lane, Lamb, Anderson all need to find another place to play and open up 4 spots. Honeycutt and Nelsen to NBA. Give me a break! If they can't play in D1, how are they are going to play in the pros?

Their futile effort might be a blessing in disguise and if Smith, Nelsen, Honeycutt and Jones return and Powell and the Wear Twins play well, we could look for another run at the conference title in 2012. Even that will be a stretch. UCLA is no longer a place for aspiring athletes, period!

The President and the Board needs to evaluate AD DG as well. He too is resting on the past. A past that had coaches who recruited well and taught the game well. It's no longer there. Sadly, it might never come back.

This year has been a joke!

The Zona game was a dunk contest. Take a damn charge once in a while.

Joke!

[BruinFan]

I hope our road woes don't continue or we will miss the NCAA tny...

[Sandip O'malley]

Who is our Derek Williams???! Who's bringing the swag and backing it up. Certainly is not Malcolm Lee or Tyler Lamb. I'd add Honeycutt too but I think he can be a more special player than AZ's D. Williams. PS Reeves Nelson = Cane from WWE.