Answers, Part I

How many B-Ball commits do you think we'll have for our 2009 class?Got me, but if I had to guess, I will say four.

It seems as though Neuheisel has been slack in recruiting so far. Was he ever known as a good recruiter at Washington or Colorado, or is recruiting not one of his strong areas?I wouldn't say he is slacking, but the philosophy is a little different. The landscape of recruiting has changed since he was last a college coach, and he is adjusting to it. It used to be most of the commitments came during the season and after the season, but now many of the classes are getting filled before the season begins. He's smart enough to adjust. As for as Washington and Colorado, when he left those programs, neither one was bursting with talent.

Where did you go on vacation?To the hospital. My wife and I had a baby boy.

Where do we stand on some of '09 studs of this years recruiting class? Is Shaq Evans still high on UCLA (last I heard is he was leaning toward $C after one of their camps)? Is Carroll still in play? Are either Kennard or Manti T'eo realistic hopes? They are all still in play, but I don't know how realistic they are. I think the most likely to land at UCLA is Evans.

Welcome back. I liked that you summarized the things that happened while you were away in your first post-vacation post. Do you think you can start doing those summaries on a regular basis, like maybe at the end of each week or the end of each month. I will do it every Monday. I actually like the idea.

Do you feel that UCLA's performance in the NBA Draft will have any influence on the headliners of this class? If so, who? I don't see an influence on the headliners of this class, but it should bode well for future recruiting efforts since the program has now produced four first-rounders in the last three years. Having two top five players, especially the way Westbrook developed, should make the school even more attractive for recruits.

Any chance of a big-name or BCS school coming to Pauley on the TBD date of Wed. Dec. 17th? If not so, any rumors as to who?I don't think so. UCLA already is playing at Texas in December, and also plays in the Wooden Classic. Notre Dame is coming to Pauley, but I believe that will be during the Pac-10 season. Plus, UCLA is also playing in the coaches vs. cancer, which should give it two marquee games in New York in November.

Curious to know what your take was on Stan Love's comments regarding Howland's ineffective use of Kevin Love, broken promises, etc.It was stuff Stan had said numerous times to reporters, but it was always off the record, so I honored it. So I wasn't surprised. Stan can be emotional, and wanted Kevin to be the focal point of the offense, but I don't think Howland teaches that way. At the end of the day, both sides got what they wanted. UCLA got a great player for one year, and Love was a top 5 pick.

What is the recovery progress for key Bruin FB personnel including Bell and Olson? I read the Olson has been cleared to resume full physical activity. Bell continues to work hard and was running some passing routes when I was on campus Thursday. He said he is all set to be ready for training camp. Olson said he was cleared and began jogging this week. He said he will begin taking part in 7-on-7 drills next week and is expected to be ready for training camp.

Has Alex Stephenson given any indication when he will name a school? Do you where he is leaning?There is no indication, but several people I spoke to said it could go for quite a while. If he chooses a semester school, he would need to do so by the end of August. If it is a quarter school, he wouldn't need to decide until mid-September. And I have no idea where he is leaning.