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Finally someone with perspective who really put some thought into it.... along with Hansboro....perhaps he did the math and noticed that about 50 guys have declared & they can't all be first round picks &, uh, there's these older guys called Seniors too that are more polished and still favored by some....

There are WAY to many early declared players this year. The smart ones have not hired an agent yet, because the math doesn't add up. Sometimes it does work to come back to school and get that extra year. In the NFL draft (i know different sport) last year Jake Long was expected to be a top 5 pick in the draft. He came back to school, this year he was the #1 pick.

Thought into it??? This was a NO-BRIANER FOR REAL!!! He couldn't get his shot off against bigger, more physical guards. If he doesn't want to be the next Jacque Vaughn, he better work on shooting off the dribble.

Yeah, the prospect of playing for the Clippers at pick 24 doesn't sound good for anyone.

He is a great kid and was not fooled by the fame and fortune of the NBA. I wish him the best next year. It would be fitting to see a Collison led Bruins team vs. a Hansbrough led Tar Heels team in the Finals next year.

Let's go DC! Don't count us out of a FOURTH STRAIGHT FINAL FOUR

With Collison staying, UCLA is going to very deep at the guard position, However, if Love leaves (and I assume he will), we won't have a center. Why didn't Howland recruit a big man, since he knew there was a very good chance Love would be leaving? Are there any late possiblities out there for this position?

Does anyone know what Mata-Real is planning to do next year?

Very true about UCLA being deep at guard with Collison returning.....I wish him the best.
As for Mata-Real, hasn't his eligibility run out yet? Seems like he has been playing at UCLA for a LONG time.

Good to see.....but is it a smart move ?

All these players who are basically mid 1st round picks- (not top 5)
are BETTER off going later to a team that is good- rather than a basement dweller.

He plays for a good Defensive coach- which NBA coaches LOVE
and the only thing he can improve is his shot....which he can do riding the bench in the NBA, with a 3 yr guaranteed contract
The problem is that the longer you stay- the more FLAWS get exposed,

Bottom line- is that he may go from a # 15-20 pick this year to a # 10-15 pick next year........is it worth risking another injury?

damn

Yes, Mata-Real has used up his eligibility and is graduating. Having very little offense, he doesn't appear to be an NBA prospect. I was just curious about what he'll do next year. Is he good enough to play abroad? Does he have any interest in coaching? He sounds like a nice kid who's overcome an inauspicious background (father in jail), and I wish him well.

Are there any big-man prospects still out there that UCLA might be able to get to fill the void left by Love (and Mata-Real)? I presume all of the good high-school players have already committed. Is there still time to recruit from junior college or abroad?

This is a general question: Why not declare and test the waters and get a free evaluation? There's seems little to lose if you don't hire an agent and can return to school, especially since apparently the teams are now covering the expenses. Can anyone declare, or is there some pre-screening of who can?

There is no screening, he can declare if he wants to.

Possible reaons for his not opting to declare:

- He already knows what feedback he would get from scouts by talking to NBA decision makers and players

- He knows that he is not going to be as high a pick as he would like because of the loaded draft at PG this year

- He knows Howland can help him improve what he needs to work on to be NBA ready next year

- He REALLY wants to win a championship and believes we will have what it takes next season with the amazing athletes UCLA has recruited

- He loves being at UCLA (who doesn't? =p ) and wants to finish his degree before he lives the dream

- He is dating a UCLA Dance Team member and doesn't want to do the long distance thing when he gets drafted by a good team at the bottom of the first round like San Antonio (although he could hope for the Lakers to hook up with his buddy Jordan Farmar)

Thanks, BruinsWin. Is DC really dating a member of the UCLA Dance Team?

BruinsWin!.. that all sounds good on paper but the truth is probably that he knows his stock isn't that high after getting owned by Derrick Rose in the Final Four... and I'm sure if he was a 1st round pick he'd have some money to fly his Dance Team girlfriend out whenever he wanted.. and he'll probably have some NBA quality tail on the side anyway

UCLA will be a defensive team on high octane with one awesome senior PG and a couple of fresh young legs to run out on the wing. I'm a little shocked by Josh Shipp's decision, he needs a solid healthy year (physically and stats wise) to prove he's the real deal. Who knows, by not hiring agents the team could shock and awe us by returning all starters (minus the departed Lo - thanks BTW) and make a 4th trip to the Final Four.

Love and Westbrook are getting drafted for sure. Luc and Shipp will be back and they know it. They most likely wanted to get NBA feedback on what they need to work on. Howland will get them NBA ready with one more year.

We will actually have some DEPTH next season, which will be great.

Who's going to play center?

We may not have a true center (like a LOT of college teams), but our available bigs will be Luc, Keefe, Gordon and probably Aboya (assuming he doesn't leave for graduate school)

WIth DC, Holiday, Lee, Anderson, Shipp and Roll at guards UCLA has FINALLY got some serious depth with a good mix of talent, athleticism and experience at every position

Don't forget Stanback. He looked pretty good the few times he got to play. There's going to be a lot of competition for playing time next season!