.: What’s Bruin :.

Bottom and Top 10 Moments of the Year

Tags: Quick Links, Sports, UCLA

I’m still sick and still lovin’ and relishing that UCLA beat ‘$C. The best part of the video below is the first 20 seconds to a minute. I love the taunting!

Warning: Foul language is used!

Tags: football, Sports, UCLA, USC-sucks

How about them Trojans. They played really… well … crappy. Those nerdy Bruins, though, you gotta like the math skills of the UCLA team a lot better, like on that second to last play before the punt, when they let the play clock run down and called time out, leaving the Trojans only a few seconds for their one play to the national championship. Bruins are way smarter and played a better game on top of it too.

Trojans … DENIED
Time to Celebrate!

GO BRUINS!

Tags: football, Sports, UCLA, USC-sucks

I just don’t get it. Pretty lame to give up the game in the last 27 seconds. Was the Bruin defense even awake during the last 62 seconds?

Tags: football, Sports, Television, UCLA

The transformation of life unfolded on the television today as Andre Agassi retired from professional tennis today. Appropriately, as the fading star of the tennis great rested in its place in tennis glory, it was set there by qualifier B. Becker, an up and coming German player.

In the early years when Andre first arrived on the tennis scene in the early 1990s, he was not my favorite at all. He was all about making commercials. I just couldn’t understand what all the hype was about him when he hadn’t even won a single professional tournament. His Canon EOS Rebel commercial, “Image Is Everything” said it all. He had long, golden hair, but had not achieved anything on the court as a professional.

Over the last 21 years of his professional career, I warmed up to Agassi’s career. He had gone through some tough times, a huge slump, and then remarkably made an incredible comeback to certainly be considered as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Most notably, he is in a group of a select few who have a “Career Grand Slam”, winning all of the four major tournaments at some time in his career. It’s hard to believe that his career is over. Last year, he was a finalist at the US Open.

At age 35, Agassi was the 2005 US Open Runner Up
Photo by Timothy A.Clary/Getty Images

And today when Agassi lost in the 3rd round to the unknown Becker, I marveled at how much this young brat from the neon city has changed from glitz and plastic into a classy, hard-working, professional and a human being of substance.

Image Is Everything: The Lasting Impression of a Classy Champion
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn’t say is what it is I have found.

And over the last 21 years I have found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I’ve found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed, sometmes even in my lowest moments. And I have found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams, dreams I could have never reached without you.

Over the last 21 years, I have found you. I will take you, and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life. Thank you.

Andre Agassi

Tags: Andre-Agassi, Sports, Television, Tennis, US-Open

Watching a second feature about Kyle Maynard, the congenital amputee (born without arms and legs), on the Oprah show spurred me to buy this book. As expected Kyle adeptly chronicles his journey through the course of his 19-year life via his experiences growing up, especially through his participation in organized football and wrestling. In his autobiography Kyle spreads the inspirational message of his “No Excuses” attitude and philosophy towards life– an attitude that has helped him to reach a sense of normalcy in life as an amputee with obvious physical challenges. Through Kyle’s eyes we get a glimpse of how one person overcomes challenges, like learning to eat with silverware, putting on clothes, making friends, or striving to make the high school varsity wrestling team. Kyle says over and over again that it was the love of his family and the love of his God and savior Jesus Christ who have helped him become a “champion in wrestling and in life”.

Each chapter of No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life begins with an inspirational quote from Kyle. These quotables will challenge you to reflect and strive to become a better person, not to take things for granted, and most of all, not to complain about trials in life. One of my favorite quotables is from Chapter 3:

I look everyone straight in the eye, as an equal, as God created all of us. We are all created uniquely, but we are all equally precious in God’s eyes. That’s something I believe in my heart, that my faith and my family taught me over and over again.

Through the reading you’ll also get a glimpse of Kyle’s parents. Remarkably, doctors advised them to abort their child if there happened to be anhy complications, but their love and faith preclude abortion. Instead, they chose to believe that a gracious God has a master plan for their child’s life. And they taught this faith and belief in God’s sovereignty to Kyle.

You’ll rejoice with Kyle as he tells of his first wrestling victory after 35 consecutive defeats. You’ll marvel at his determination to be part such a demanding and physical combat sport. You’ll cry when he wrestles his last high school match, and cheer alongside his many fans. But most of all you will catch his fighter attitude, and never-give-up will and spirit exemplified by his slogan: “It’s not what I can do; it’s what I will do.”

The books seems more like Volume 1 as it ends with Kyle as a sophomore at the University of Georgia and a member of the wrestling team. I’m sure there will be more to follow from this remarkable young man as he brings his message to people all across the world.

Tags: Books, book_reviews, Christian, faith, Kyle-Maynard, Spiritual, Sports, wrestling

Down by 18 to the Gators with 16 minutes left. I don’t think it will be UCLA’s time to raise Banner 12.

Tags: basketball, Final-Four, Sports, UCLA

UCLA annihilates LSU 59-45

Photo Credit: AP Photos/Michael Conroy

Well, so much for “Big Baby”. The game was over early in the first half. At one point, UCLA had a lead of 24 points. LSU led only once, after the first basket of the game, 2-0. All that talk about LSU being more athletic and having an imposing front court was just that, talk. The real talk of the game, again, was UCLA’s DEFENSE. I must say I really like this brand of UCLA ball. Even Mr. East Coast Bias himself, Dick Vitale, is lauding the Bruins.

In the words of the CBS announcers: “Big Baby” was just “huffing and puffing”, which makes him more of a fat baby.

One more win to Banner 12. Next up, the Florida Gators on Monday night.

Tags: basketball, Final-Four, Sports, UCLA

UCLA Return to Glory

So in my running around today before the national semifinal games, I hear the sports analysts on AM 570 saying that UCLA is a two-point underdog against LSU. The offensive powerhouse “Big Baby” is going to be unstoppable. On top of it all, Ryan Hollins, one of the Bruins’ top players in the tournament injured himself at practice with a bruised hip.

Tags: basketball, Final-Four, Sports, UCLA

Tennis legend, Björn Borg, decided not to auction off his five Wimbledon trophies and the wood racquets that he wielded to win his improbable five consecutive titles on the fabled grass.

After great consideration and reasoning, I have decided that I will never sell my Wimbledon trophies and rackets and I have withdrawn them from sale.

Trophies of this kind have a meaning that goes beyond my comprehension of the victories, as they emphasize the bond between me as a player and all the people, family, friends and fans that have stood behind me through the years — people that have my love and respect.

Björn Borg, No deal: Borg decides against selling trophies

Duh! No matter how destitute and desperate I was, I would never sell something so precious. On the other hand, I would have loved to get my hands on one of those trophies and racquets.

Tags: bankrupt, Bjorn-Borg, desperation, finance, Sports, Tennis, Wimbledon

UCLA is going to the Final Four!

UCLA smothers Memphis to advance to the Final Four

Photo Credit: Associated Press

It was pretty much the ugliest game I have ever seen, low scoring and poor foul shooting on the part of the Bruins. But in what has now become UCLA basketball trademark, their smothering defense shut Memphis down early on. UCLA led for almost the entire game except for the first few minutes of the game. Bruin defense allowed a little more than half of the points that Memphis scored on the Bruins early in the season. So much for the touting of Memphis’ athleticism and strength; the strategy of trying to run the Bruins into the ground backfired as UCLA was ahead early on by as much as 21-9. Superior defense by UCLA did not allow the transition scoring power of Memphis to make its presence known at all.

UCLA wins “ugly” in a poor-shooting, but tremendous defensive game

Photo Credit: Associated Press

BTW I decided that I will just watch the Final Four from home this time around. Too expensive to get tickets, all the flights are sold out, and I’m sure all the hotels are also sold out.

Saturday’s gloat: Thank goodness Texas lost. At least they won’t have the opportunity to win two national championships (football and basketball) in the same year.

Tags: basketball, Sports, UCLA

UCLA leads Memphis by 7; they would be even more ahead if they had made their free throws! Now it’s a 20-minute game… 20 minutes away from the Final Four.

I’m so tempted to buy tickets to the Final Four but ONLY if UCLA wins. I’m monitoring eBay right now. The trick will be to get two days off from work and then to find a place to stay.

Tags: basketball, Sports, UCLA

Impossible. No, improbable. Down by as much as 17 points in the first half, shooting abysmally, and playing uncharacteristically poor defense, UCLA seemed helpless in its regression to the Steve Lavin days of mediocrity. As one announcer bluntly put it, “UCLA has got to be embarrassed.”

Using changing defenses and a full-court press at times to keep UCLA off-balance, Gonzaga forced the Bruins to miss their first eight shots and turn the ball over seven times before making their first basket 8:43 into the game to cut it to 18-9.

Things were so bad that both teams got into the bonus before UCLA made its first shot and after back-to-back turnovers against the Bulldogs press, Farmar looked at the bench and shrugged his shoulders looking for any help he could get.

UCLABruins.com

UCLA stuns Gonzaga 73-71 to advance to the Elite Eight

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

But . . . just as they had done all season long, the Bruins proved their mettle in the second half, coming out strong with an 8-0 run. With pressure on the ball and their trademark defense, UCLA clawed its way back into the game. With Number One scorer in the nation, Adam Morrison, leading the way and scoring 24 points in the game, Gonzaga maintained the lead for the entire game. Well, almost the entire game.

For 39 minutes and 45 seconds, it was Gonzaga’s game to win. Even in the last minute of the game, UCLA was down by 5, 71-66, an almost insurmountable lead. About 20 seconds later, Farmar made a basket for 71-68. A defensive stop and block on Gonzaga’s possession provided Ryan Hollins with a good defensive position, which tempted a Gonzaga player to hold Hollins’ arm. FOUL! Hollins, a 60% free-throw shooter made both shots, 71-70, making it a one-point game with about 19 seconds remaining in the game.

UCLA’s Farmar stripped the ball on the ensuing inbounds play from a careless and off-guarded Gonzaga player. Mbah a Moute made the go ahead layup with about 10 seconds to go. 72-71 UCLA. Stifling defensive pressure again on Gonzaga’s inbounds play resulted in another steal by Mbah a Moute with only 2.6 seconds left in the game. Gonzaga’s fate was sealed, even though the Bruins’ leading scorer, Afflalo, made only one of two free throws. 73-71 UCLA. After a Hail Mary inbounds pass across the court, Gonzaga’s desperation shot was too strong with 1.9 seconds remaining . Time expired. UCLA advances to the Elite Eight to face Memphis in the Regional Final this Saturday.

Agony and Ecstasy

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

For the Zags, the final three-plus minutes would look like this: Five missed shots, three fouls and two turnovers. UCLA had scored the last 11 and won, 73-71. . . Morrison, his head down, his words brief, explained the game’s final minutes like this: “I missed the shots.”

Wayne Drehs, UCLA’s come-from-behind win breaks Zags’ hearts

I know it’s mean, but I enjoyed hearing the UCLA fight song playing
in the background as Morrison laid sprawled on the court, his body racking with sobs.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/John Bazemore

Waaah!

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Bottom line: Gonzaga melted under the pressure from UCLA’s suffocating defense.

Other ha-ha’s go out to former Number One Duke, star player also in tears after losing to LSU.

Tags: basketball, Sports, UCLA

Arron Afflalo Erupts after draining a 3-pointer to seal the game

Photo Credit: MIKE WINTERS/Daily Bruin senior staff

With all the gloating that I’ve been doing over the teams that have lost, I hope I don’t jinx the Bruins who have certainly played extremely well!

On to Sunday’s gloat list:

• Pittsburgh (Fortunately for the Bruins, Howland is now coaching at UCLA).
• North Carolina (I can’t even begin to say how overjoyed I am that the boring Tar Heels lost to a nobody team, sorry Tamara D. I am going to gloat tomorrow at work to IT1 H)
• Arizona (Good. They should not have been in the tournament anyways.)

Yes. And then there were 16. GO BRUINS!

Tags: basketball, Sports, UCLA

UCLA beats Alabama 62-59 to go to the Sweet Sixteen

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

This game was a little too exciting for me. I prefer the types of scores where UCLA wins by 20 or more. UCLA led for almost the entire game, but had only a one point lead even in the last minutes of the game. Even with 15.5 seconds to go, Alabama had an opportunity to win the game, but their best player bricked a 3-point shot that would have ended the game in Alabama’s favor.

UCLA’s free throw shooting was horrible. If the Bruins had made all their free throws, this would not have been a close game at all. It would have been at least an 11-point victory. In any case, the W is all that matters in basketball, especially during the Tournament. So here’s to the next round of Sweet Sixteen.

Additionally, it was fun to gloat over the following losses:

• Tennessee (Sorry John S., but orange is kind of a strange color.)
• Illinois (Now it’s my turn Dr. Shah)
• Texas A&M (Dave M., I think they should focus more on ROTC rather than basketball)

And while I don’t particularly like Indiana, it certainly would have been better for UCLA if Indiana had beaten Gonzaga. I think Indiana would have made for a weaker opponent for UCLA in the next round.

Tags: basketball, Sports, UCLA