Ouch! I hope he will be fine and that he has a speedy recovery. This is a big loss for USC.

I actually had a stress fracture on my back 15 years ago and it still hurts to this day. I wouldn't wish that on anyone - even a Trojan...

Tough kid. Tough competitor. He is the glue that keeps the Trojans together. Big loss.

Don't agree with saying UCLA catches a break, but yes, good luck with the recovery for Hackett, unfortunate for SC.

This makes the matchup less attractive and isn't how I'd want the win. A payback isn't a payback when they lost their floor leader.

"UCLA catches a break"?!?!? Dohn, you truly are a dolt. What kind of reporter are you? Did USC create their "break" when they gave both Luc and Mata concussions? I agree with above posters that this takes some of the satisfaction out of the inevitable payback but your characterization is way off.

I don't think he's comparing the loss of Hackett to the loss of Luc/Lorenzo...just saying their team will not be at full strength. I would say we're catching a break...though not one that we want as I agree we'd like to beat them at full strength.

I think it's a negative for UCLA in that they may take USC more lightly because of Hackett's injury. It doesn't matter that USC already beat them once -- we've all seen how UCLA can lose intensity and become overconfident or complacent. On the other hand, a win is a win, and UCLA needs them in any way that can get them if they want a #1 seed.

the problem I have with saying UCLA catches a break is:
1) Do not think it is very good to say a team catches a break because of someone else's injury, especially one of this nature/seriousness.

2) It implies that UCLA lucked out with the injury and would otherwise lose the game if this were not the case. Do not think anyone would be saying, "(Memphis Duke, UNC, Kansas) catches a break because Hackett is out." if SC was going to play one of those teams this coming Sunday. Somewhat of a backhanded comment.

Come on guys, lighten up! Any team is capable of winning on any given night. Oregon State could lose a starter due to injury and you can say the opposing team is catching a break by not having to play them at full strength. Take it for what it is; a figure of speech, rather than thinking the world is out to get us!

Yes, other teams did "catch a break" by not playing UCLA at full strength; but that is all part of the game.

Just be happy that NCAA Basketball has a real tournament and let's hope UCLA is healthy by then...

Go Bruins!

Come on guys, lighten up! Any team is capable of winning on any given night. Oregon State could lose a starter due to injury and you can say the opposing team is catching a break by not having to play them at full strength. Take it for what it is; a figure of speech, rather than thinking the world is out to get us!

Yes, other teams did "catch a break" by not playing UCLA at full strength; but that is all part of the game.

Just be happy that NCAA Basketball has a real tournament and let's hope UCLA is healthy by then...

Go Bruins!

I guess it's all in your interpretation of "catch a break." I didn't read it the same way.

First George251, I think USC gave you a break by giving those guys concussions. The prince Luc Richard was horrible against SC before that injury. Volleyball star himself actually hit a big shot and did decent out there that game. And dont tell me because the dirty rat Mata was out that you might of won with him in there. That guy was so lost on defense when he did play. Hackett actually brings something to the table.

And Jdoggbruin, actually people prob. would say that a Memphis or Kansas team would be catching a break with Hackett out considering we lost to Kansas by four, and Memphis by four in OT. Those games would not of been near as close without him in there.

I will say though I am surprised with a few nice comments wishing Hackett the best. Like I have always said there are even a few ucla fans who are not completely messed up in the head!

"Like I have always said there are even a few ucla fans who are not completely messed up in the head!"

Too bad the same cannot be said about you.

booty11,

Mata and Luc have accomplished more in their collegiate career than Hackett ever will in college by the simple fact that they played on two final four teams. Luc started both times and Mata started in one and played a key role in the other. I don't expect a Trojan to know the nuances of team defense and the impact of losing 2 players, but hey; these games are meaningless in the big picture. You take pride in losing close games to Kansas and Memphis; two teams by the way that UCLA has BEAT in the NCAA tournament the last two years. Yes, they beat pretty much the same Kansas team last year and what some would argue was a more talented Memphis team with Rodney Carney and Shawne Williams two years ago.

I admire Hackett he is a tough player and I wish him well, but please don't come in here displaying your ignorance by bad mouthing Luc and Lorenzo. Apparantly Bruin fans like Hackett more than his overrated teammate who broke his jaw, perhaps that set the tone for the Trojan season...

So Luc starting in the final four is 1-2, and the rat is 0-1. Is that correct? Last I checked it dont matter unless you win it all right? Cause thats what I keep hearing from your stupid fans. And last I checked what happened last year does not apply to this year. I mean if it did than why are you not still saying 13-9, or saying we beat you twice in basketball! Thats right, because its a whole new year. And you already lost in football, and already are 0-1 in your main sport of basketball. Now Look at the Prince's stats before he went out of that game. He was doing nothing. Look at Mata's stats his whole life and tell me what he has done. Once again the answer is nothing. Hackett is a sophomore. As a freshamn he helped lead a team to the sweet 16. He still has three tournaments left to prove something. So its kinda tough to compare him to a senior and a junior. Especially one as fine tuned and polished as Mata (Rat). Hey don't worry ya'll still got womens soccer! Oops forget abot that final four too. Ok mens Volleyball. oops swept ya in that. Bad year to have that Gauntlet thing huh?

So Luc starting in the final four is 1-2, and the rat is 0-1. Is that correct? Last I checked it dont matter unless you win it all right? Cause thats what I keep hearing from your stupid fans. And last I checked what happened last year does not apply to this year. I mean if it did than why are you not still saying 13-9, or saying we beat you twice in basketball! Thats right, because its a whole new year. And you already lost in football, and already are 0-1 in your main sport of basketball. Now Look at the Prince's stats before he went out of that game. He was doing nothing. Look at Mata's stats his whole life and tell me what he has done. Once again the answer is nothing. Hackett is a sophomore. As a freshamn he helped lead a team to the sweet 16. He still has three tournaments left to prove something. So its kinda tough to compare him to a senior and a junior. Especially one as fine tuned and polished as Mata (Rat). Hey don't worry ya'll still got womens soccer! Oops forget abot that final four too. Ok mens Volleyball. oops swept ya in that. Bad year to have that Gauntlet thing huh?

Booty11,

So we wish Hackett luck for in his recovers and you come in here and call our fans stupid and Mata a rat? Way to represent your alma mater.

If you actually followed our program, then I doubt you'd be saying those things about Mata and Luc. The stat you really need to look at is the opponents when Mata or Luc is guarding them. Luc has caused havoc on opposing players, but since you don't follow UCLA, I doubt you would understand. They do the intangibles that will never show up in the stats.

And about the Gauntlet, it's been back and forth. No one holding on for more than a year. I don't think that's anything to brag about.

If you truly are a basketball fan and watch college sports you know Luc and Mata are known for their team defense. Luc especially is a big contributor for his perimeter defense with his ability to defend the 1-4 positions. It is not coincidental that Mayo did not score his first points until there was only 4 minutes left in the first half.

Did you watch the game? Do you remember UCLA doubling out on the perimeter? Do you remember who usually was out there helping? They obviously missed that in the second half, but who cares; that is old news now. Davon Jefferson had a great game and he deserves his respect.

Luc and Mata do what their team needs them to do and that is good enough for us.

Last years USC team was special, but I will point out that Gabe Pruitt, Nick Young and Loderick Stewart had the most to do with that. Those players hit the most big time shots to get them where they were at. I was at both games last year too and thought to myself those 3 would never miss.

Say what you wanna say about the other sports, you brought them up. The truth is that they come up when people discuss athletic departments as a whole and that is why they mention UCLA's success in those sports.

I don't talk about previous times UCLA has beaten USC because they do not matter. Since college BBall has a real tournament that is when they need to win.

There is no need to stoop to childish behavior by calling fans "stupid", especially when you are the one who double posts...

obviously I am just having fun with you since we all know that this site is known for the double posts, so don't get to heated :)

hehe

I'm checking out, I'll see you tomorrow...

I cannot find it, so why dont you show me the stats of an offensive player when he is being guarded by Mata or Moute! haha, how the hell would I be able to do that unless I go back through all the game film. I know for a fact you have no clue either but you like to think you know what your talking about.

And I did say it was nice to hear a few bruin fans say nice things about Hacketts recovery, I just still think its funny that most Bruin fans like to cry about injuries being the reason they lost to SC. Why were we not able to use that excuse in football last year than?

But let me get this right, when I call Mata a rat, I am completely in the wrong right? But when your student section all calls Hackett an alien during starting lineups that is classy? I seem to be confused on that part. Thats a way to represent your future alma mater ya?

And just so ya know when i make fun of Womens soccer, gymnastics, mens volleyball or any other sport none of you care about, its directed right at you and your dumb fans. You guys celebrate 100 NCAA titles like you actually cared about most of them. Ya'll go to gymnastics matches or games, or whatever they are called. No. The fact is that stupid 100 NCAA titles does not include the main sport everyone follows, and that is Football! So when I joke about your other sports teams, its making fun of you losers across town trying to celebrate something you never cared about!

Come on guys, lighten up! Any team is capable of winning on any given night. Oregon State could lose a starter due to injury and you can say the opposing team is catching a break by not having to play them at full strength. Take it for what it is; a figure of speech, rather than thinking the world is out to get us!

Yes, other teams did "catch a break" by not playing UCLA at full strength; but that is all part of the game.

Just be happy that NCAA Basketball has a real tournament and let's hope UCLA is healthy by then...

Go Bruins!

Come on guys, lighten up! Any team is capable of winning on any given night. Oregon State could lose a starter due to injury and you can say the opposing team is catching a break by not having to play them at full strength. Take it for what it is; a figure of speech, rather than thinking the world is out to get us!

Yes, other teams did "catch a break" by not playing UCLA at full strength; but that is all part of the game.

Just be happy that NCAA Basketball has a real tournament and let's hope UCLA is healthy by then...

Go Bruins!

That is too funny! Call Mata whatever you like; it does not affect me. I never questioned why you called him a rat, that's your choice; my main point of contention is that they are valuable to their team. That is all I am saying; I never said it was an excuse for losing to USC, just that they were missed. Being at that game I was mad at UCLA after that game because at no point did they show a sense of urgency. Their body language showed arrogance like they thought they could win it at any time and that bit them on the butt.

It's funny, UCLA football is such a loser program that you have to stay on our board! This is not even taking into account that this is a basketball post. Don't worry, I understand you suffer from envy. Probably one of those guys that never got admitted to UCLA and now stay up late on the UCLA board just to try to bash. Any way, I'll let you continue with whatever enjoyment you may get out of your ignorance, I know you can't talk sense with the senseless...

What's with all these $c losers coming on this site and talking a bunch of crap? Lame. Guess there's nothing better to do than to go on some other school's blog site and run your mouths about who knows what. bro seriously, booty11 needs to get a life. like i give enough of a crap about $c to go on their blog site and say something. who really gives a crap! Thug on loser!

Hey to be called a loser by a ucla fan doesn't that mean you have win a game against USC at some point this year?

No, because that was all determined long ago, and has nothing to do with sports. =)

Really though, this is a UCLA board and I do frequent uschoops.com as they seem for the most part the more knowledgeable SC basketball fans. UCLA fans do not go on there and smack talk. Do any UCLA fans go to the Scott Wolf blog? honest question, I've been there once or twice; never looked at comments.

Bro are you that kid that walks around wearing sc gear all day long as if anyone cares?? Don't tell me your that guy...what a dork.

Don't cry because some people come onto your blog and actually know what they are talking about. I love when someone makes a comment about ucla, and most the time when they can't prove someone wrong they call you names! Haha. Or give very sarcastic remarks. If you wanna get SC fans to not go on your site, prove then wrong sometime!

Oh did anyone see the Washington game? What a smart play by Morris not getting the 5 second call huh?

Wow. That was an EXTRA good Troll, Booty11.