Maybe Mascot Ought to Be a Wild Bore

Breakdown of a typical two-hour UCLA practice under Coach Howland: Work on defense, 1 hour 50 minutes; work on offense against man-to-man defense, seven minutes; work on offense against zone defense, two minutes; practice free throws, one minute.

MARK C. MEAD

San Diego

*

The Times put the rap on Bruin basketball because they weren’t winning. Now Bill Plaschke has a problem with how they are doing it.

I found his column boring.

EDDIE KOBLITZ

Los Angeles

*

Leave it to Bill Plaschke to complain about a Bruin basketball team on the verge of equaling a feat accomplished by 11 of its predecessors for not being, well, more Lavinesque. They don’t fly up and down the court? They don’t get into shooting matches? They don’t “excite” more? No, no and no.

Is Ben Howland’s style a little too old-fashioned for some? Perhaps, but when Howland unfurls his first banner in the rafters (be that this fall or soon thereafter), watch and see how many imitators come along for the ride.

BLAISE JACKSON

Escondido

*

LSU-Texas: A game so well played you hated to see either team lose.

UCLA-Memphis: A game so poorly played you hated to see either team win.

ROGER HUMES

Claremont

*

The Bruins should worry less about LSU’s “Baby Shaq” and be more concerned they stop shooting free throws like the Diesel.

LARRY YELLS

Hermosa Beach

*

Coach Howland? Three years, Final Four appearance (same as a New Year’s bowl game), best defense in town, best two-minute offense in town, great recruiter, players get better, fun to watch, inspiration to all.

Coach Dorrell? Three years, no defense, recruits a 6-foot-1 defensive lineman, average recruiting, players don’t get better, monkey still on his back, boring to watch, assistant coaches leave to find other jobs.

Who is overpaid?

JEFF BLACK

Beverly Hills