UCLA men’s tennis during the national anthem, Courtesy of Official Twitter Account

The top-ranked UCLA men’s tennis team was put through the wringer on Monday against Ohio State, but came out clean with a spot in tomorrow’s national championship. If the Bruins can win one more match, it’ll mean national title No. 109 for UCLA—an NCAA-best mark that has been stuck at 108 for close to two years.

The Bruins topped the Buckeyes, 4-3, after sophomore Marcos Giron clinched the match on a third-set service break. Ohio State was the first team to score any points against UCLA in the NCAA Tournament, claiming three singles matches after dropping the doubles point. But as the pressure mounted, the upset-minded Bucks couldn’t quite hang with the No. 1 team in the nation. The decisive point for Giron came on an OSU double fault with the match tied 3-3, bringing the most intense match of the season to a sudden and unfulfilling end.

The victory bumped the Bruins’ record to 29-1 in 2013, and kept their winning streak alive at 20 consecutive matches. Most importantly, it earned UCLA a shot at its first national title since 2005 versus No. 2 Virginia at 2 PM PST tomorrow.

Despite a lower ranking, the Cavaliers have the most compelling case for being the top team in the country over the Bruins. UVA is a perfect 29-0 on the year, including a seventh straight undefeated ACC season and conference tournament crown. Virginia only allowed three points twice this season, once against the very same Ohio State team that gave UCLA fits earlier today.

This really is the most appropriate pairing there could have been for the national championship—No. 1 vs. No. 2, 29-1 vs. 29-0, Pac-12 Champs vs. ACC Champs. Whoever gets the quick start tomorrow by nabbing the doubles point will be in the driver’s seat for the title. Both squads have been essentially unbeatable this year, but something’s got to give.

UCLA may have the upper hand with history, owning 16 NCAA Championships to UVA’s zero, but the Cavs do have the edge when it comes to experience. This Virginia team has finished national runner-up in each of the last two seasons, falling victim to Southern Cal’s four-peat title run twice, so they know what it’s like under the brightest lights.

Will tomorrow be the day that UVA claims its first ever Division I men’s tennis title? Or will the Bruins play up to their billing and take home banner No. 17?

We’ll have to wait and see, but one thing is for sure—tomorrow’s champion will be the best in the land, unequivocally.

Go Bruins! Beat Virginia!

The above image is courtesy of the official UCLA men’s tennis Twitter page.

Asst. Coach T.J. Bruce (2), USC vs UCLA, Photo Credit: Jeff Poirier

For the better part of always, Southern Cal has been the collegiate baseball powerhouse of Los Angeles.

After all,  the Trojans’ program is the most storied in history with its 12 national championships and 21 College World Series appearances. The dozen titles is far and away the most ever, and the 21 trips to Omaha ties ‘SC for the 4th-highest mark in the nation, so there’s not much to argue there.

And when you compare those numbers to UCLA baseball’s all-time resume (4 CWS, zero titles), it becomes pretty obvious how big the disparity is.

Then there’s the all-time head-to-head series between the Trojans and Bruins, which favors the former by a jaw-dropping margin of 253-127. Taken at face value, it’s hard to slice it any other way—USC baseball is king of the Southland.

But when you dig a little deeper, the story takes a new shape.

Since the turn of the millennium, the UCLA and USC programs have been moving in opposite directions on the bell curve. The Bruins have made the NCAA Tournament eight times since 2000, compared to just 10 appearances in all of the 20th century. The trend towards success has paid off for the Bruins, as they’ve been lucky enough to host regionals each of the past three seasons—and they appear on pace for a fourth this year.

USC infielder in between pitches at UCLA, Credit: Jeff Poirier

For the Trojans, the script is flipped. After earning 32 regional bids last century, Southern Cal has just four NCAA appearances in the new one, including a current 7-year dry spell.

And in regards to championships, ‘SC has won just one CWS title in the last 35 years. So despite a streak of monumental dominance in the 70′s where the Trojans claimed seven crowns in 11 years, the prestige of Southern Cal baseball isn’t hugely relevant today. USC fans are always quick to use this logic regarding Bruins basketball, so it’s only fair to return the favor.

The bottom line is this—UCLA baseball is on the rise and ‘SC baseball is heading nowhere fast. Under the command of 9th-year head coach John Savage, the Bruins are 20-9 against the Trojans, and have come out winners in 20 of the last 25 pairings.

So far this season, UCLA is 34-15 and contending for the Pac-12 title, while Southern Cal is 19-30 with little to play for. The Bruins defeated the Trojans. 6-1, in a non-conference meeting earlier this season in the Dodgertown Classic. And if the teams’ respective trends continue this weekend, UCLA will be collecting two or three more rivalry wins in the next few days/

UCLA vs. USC is an old and storied rivalry, but the baseball diamond has long been dominated by the Trojans. Today, however, the winds of change are blowing. The Bruins, as both a team and a program, are poised to take the next step towards greatness, while Southern Cal sits stuck in neutral. If UCLA can pull off a sweep at Dedeaux Field this weekend, it’ll be another log for the fire burning down Troy.

Go Bruins! Beat Southern Cal!

Brett Hundley. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley exploded into the national picture last season, earning recognition and praise from anyone who saw him play. He’s a natural leader with a head for the game of football—determined and smart, yet modest. His team-first style was a key component in the camaraderie seen last season, and we can only hope it continues for seasons to come.

The rising redshirt sophomore from Chandler, Ariz. wore #17 for the Bruins last season. Coincidentally, 17 was also the previous UCLA record for passing touchdowns in a freshman season, but Hundley obliterated that stat, racking up 29 scores through the air. He also added nine more TDs on the ground, which is a hallmark of the diversity of his game. During the season, Hundley totaled 3,740 passing yards and just under 400 rushing, setting the tone for his career with a 72-yard touchdown run on his first snap at the collegiate level. Let me make the significance of this clear though, as it held much more meaning than just six points on the board.

Hundley had never played a game of college football in his life— more so hadn’t had a full offseason as the clear cut starter. His experience was as low as can go, but he showed us that instinct can make up for that. Following the season-opening snap, Hundley broke three tackles en route to the end zone. UCLA fans were going insane as they tried to figure out if what they witnessed was real. His teammates were more ecstatic than Ferris Bueller when he caught site of that 1961 Ferrari 250GT California Spyder. The Bruins streaked down the field to give their QB props for what was only the beginning of an amazing 2012 season.

Let’s take a look at the crystal ball of college football.  It resembles the crystal football awarded to the annual BCS National Champion, only that one doesn’t look into Hundley’s future.

Heisman Trophy, Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Brett Hundley should stay on pace to reach greatness, and many have him in the picture for Heisman contention. Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy last season, totaling 5,115 yards while leading Texas A&M to Cotton Bowl,  where they ran over Oklahoma to earn a 41-13 victory.

Hundley probably won’t put up such staggering numbers that included over 1,000 yards rushing, but then again, I don’t think Manziel will continue to play at such an unbelievable level. However, I do see Hundley eclipsing his 2012 season mark of 4,095 yards. Doing so will put him in another league—that which consists of players including Manziel, and was once home to Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and the like.

It seems reasonable for Hundley to hit the 4,500 yard mark, as his running ability was held back by ankle pain (and a shaky offensive line) for most of last season. With a stacked recruiting class of O-linemen and an offseason of recovery, Hundley should have fewer hurdles to success in 2013. Also coming to his aid is Devin Lucien, a star wideout who was injured early last season. Lucien can be a major factor this season, and will take some pressure off of Hundley’s shoulders.

For more info on Lucien and the lot, click here.

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Steve Alford, Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Well, it’s official—the 2013 college basketball recruiting cycle has come to a close. Tomorrow is the hard signing deadline, and earlier today No. 1 overall prospect Andrew Wiggins committed to the Kansas Jayhawks. With his pledge, every member of this year’s ESPN 100 has picked his destination, so it’s time to take a step back and survey the scene.

Not much has changed for UCLA, as first-year head coach Steve Alford‘s inherited class has been locked up for weeks. Aside from former commit Allerik Freeman opting out of his LOI last month, there hasn’t been much news on the recruitment front. The finalized class features three incoming freshmen, headlined by 4-star guard  Zach LaVine. The 6’2″ recruit from Bothell, Wash. is the only ESPN 100 athlete coming to Westwood in the fall, and was named Mr. Basketball for the State of Washington. With his incredible dunking prowess, LaVine should factor in for the Bruins sooner rather than later.

Depending on which recruiting service you subscribe to, LaVine’s position varies between shooting guard and point guard. For the Bruins, it would be ideal if he could play at the 1, which is easily the most uncertain position heading into next season. The graduation of All-Pac-12 performer Larry Drew II leaves UCLA with a gaping hole at the point, and LaVine is one potential option there—if only for a small role. The other potential points are rising sophomore Kyle Anderson (who is likely to start at PG), and another new addition in Bryce Alford.

In case it wasn’t clear already, Bryce is Coach Alford’s son. He was originally committed to New Mexico (his father’s former job), but flipped to the Bruins in the wake of Ben Howland‘s firing and Alford’s hiring. It was an unexpected bonus of the coaching change that could pay dividends for UCLA down the road.

Though he hasn’t gotten much attention on a national scale, Bryce is a 6’3″ SG with a nice outside stroke and basketball bloodlines. He has also exhibited some ability as a facilitator, which helped him earn Mr. Basketball honors in New Mexico. Who better to hone his game than the man that raised him and taught him the sport? If Bryce can develop into a viable choice at point guard, it would be a major boon to UCLA. But even if he’s just a career role player, his pick up was an important one for Steve’s transition into his new gig and overall depth.

The third and final signee joining the Bruins next season is Noah Allen, a 3-star small forward that could have a more immediate impact than some think. If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out this kid’s highlight reel. It’s not what you would expect from a recruit with no photo on his recruitment pages.

At 6’2″ and 210 pounds, Allen can get up and throw down. His addition bolsters a roster that will be short on size for a second straight season. The Bruins welcome back center Tony Parker, David Wear and Travis Wear in the front court, but both Wear brothers will graduate at the end of the season. If Allen can provide UCLA with another source of scoring inside, it would take a lot of pressure off scorers like Anderson and Jordan Adams. Allen’s commitment also shores up some depth concerns, and opens up the competition for minutes.

All things considered, the Bruins seem to be in a good position for the 2013-14 season. The recruiting class—though not spectacular—brings in some needed bodies that will ease the strain on the starting rotation. The goal going forward for Coach Alford has to be player development and retention, as well as a reestablishment of local recruiting ties. Allen is the first California native to commit to UCLA as a freshman since Powell in 2011, which isn’t acceptable given the fertility of the L.A. area. Many accuse Howland for “burning bridges” in Southern California during his tenure. And whether or not that’s true, Alford needs to start rebuilding those connections immediately.

Norman Powell, Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

With UCLA and Duke finalizing dates to play at Madison Square Garden next season, we will be treated to two powerhouse basketball programs going at it. Here’s the tweet from Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports that broke the big news.

Duke and UCLA are finalizing details for a game in late December at Madison Square Garden, per multiple sources. Date is still TBD.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 8, 2013

Wow, a Duke vs. UCLA game (which is likely slated for December) will be great for both programs. It’s also a way to put Steve Alford‘s name in an even bigger spotlight in his first season. I would like to see this game played at either Pauley Pavilion or Cameron Indoor Stadium, though that seems a stretch. Just imagine the chaos at either stadium—cheering and screaming for pretty much everything in between those lines. Unfortunately, that won’t happen.

This will be a gut-check for Alford’s squad. Can UCLA win a key non-conference neutral site game? Can they play up to their hype? Can they beat a great opponent and really cement their name in tournament talks? These questions will be answered in a matter of months.

More importantly, this Bruins vs. Blue Devils matchup will be for the players to come out and prove themselves on the biggest stage in sports—Madison Square Garden. The game will obviously not come easy, as UCLA will be dealing with basketball guru Mike Krzyzewski, who always puts together a great team every single year.

For UCLA to go across the country and play Duke  in NYC will obviously be a huge and challenging task. No one is better than Coach Krzyzewski, and UCLA is inexperienced. There are a lot of questions surrounding the Bruins coming into this season. But as always, I have faith that my young Bruins can pull it out. It will be one of those games where you have to force turnovers and get out in transition to open up the perimeter shooters because UCLA has players who are capable of putting up numbers from deep.

We’ll see when the dates are officially released, but for now, it looks like we’re going to see one hell of a game at MSG!

Go Bruins!

No. 1 UCLA men’s tennis defeats Drake in NCAA Regionals at the Los Angeles Tennis Center, Credit: Jeff Poirier

After a highly successful showing in NCAA Regional play at the LA Tennis Center over the weekend, the UCLA men’s and women’s tennis teams both advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2013 NCAA Championships.

The Bruins combined to sweep all four of their regional opponents, as the men downed UMKC and Drake, and the women bested Army and Oklahoma State. The collection of straight-set wins landed UCLA in the second weekend of the tourney, which will take place in Urbana, Ill. at the University of Illinois.

The No. 1 UCLA men (26-1) will face off with No. 16 Vanderbilt on Thursday at 5 PM PST as they look to add to their current 17-match winning streak. The Commodores (18-10) earned their shot at the Bruins by sweeping East Tennessee State and then outlasting national host Illinois, 4-1, in their regional. This marks Vandy’s third trip to the Sweet 16 all-time, and the program’s first since 2004.

From an experience standpoint, the Bruins have an indisputable edge over the ‘Dores, but it remains to be seen if that translates to the court. Led by junior sensation Clay Thompson, UCLA will attempt to evade Vanderbilt en route to a meeting with the winner of No. 8 Duke vs. No. 9 Kentucky.

Thompson has been a force this season, and his talents were on full display against Drake on Saturday. The righty from Venice Beach was far and way the strongest competitor in singles, easily knocking off his Bulldog counterpart (6-1, 6-0). The rest of the Drake team put up a respectable fight, but Thompson made sure the point from his match went to UCLA.

If the top-ranked team in the nation can continue to play up to its expectations, a Saturday “Elite Eight” matchup with the Blue Devils or Wildcats could be in order. The Bruins are four wins away from a national title, and they won’t be too keen on wasting their near-perfect season on an early exit from the NCAAs.

For the seventh-ranked women, the road to the championship is a bit murkier than the men’s. UCLA (18-5) will take on No. 10 Michigan on Friday at 5 PM PST and a potential pairing with No. 2 North Carolina in the next round on the line. The Wolverines (23-5) reached the Round of 16 by sweeping IPFW and No. 24 Notre Dame in regional play, setting up a top-ten showdown with the Bruins.

In order for the UCLA women to survive and advance, they’ll need to get past a seasoned UM team that’s making its fourth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. And if the Bruins can pull that off, the Tar Heels (27-3) could be waiting for a rematch on Sunday. UNC topped UCLA, 4-3, back in February to hand the Bruins their only non-conference loss of the season. Needless to say, it’ll be an uphill climb to get to next week’s “Final Four,” but that’s how the competition should be for an NCAA title.

Stay tuned for more UCLA tennis news as the Bruins continue their pursuit for national title No. 109! Go Bruins!

Kevin Kramer (7) celebrates after hitting a 3-run homer, Credit: Jeff Poirier

As Kevin Kramer rounded first base, looking to center field while his soon-to-be home run soared towards the wall, it became clear that UCLA was well on its way to another Pac-12 series sweep. But the victim this time around wasn’t last-place Utah—it was defending national champion Arizona.

The sophomore third baseman’s three-run blast gave the Bruins an 11-3 lead in the fifth inning, all but assuring them the win on Sunday to lock up the perfect weekend. It was UCLA’s eighth straight series win over the Wildcats (talk about dominance), and was also the Bruins’ first sweep in the rivalry since the 1999-2000 season.

The 12-5 victory lifted UCLA’s record to 34-14 on the year (17-7 Pac-12), and kept the No. 8 team in the country on pace to host an NCAA Regional for a fourth consecutive season. After notching 10-2 and 7-1 wins in the first two games, the Bruins came into the series finale clinging to what little hope they have for a conference title. And though first-place Oregon State pulled off a shocking sweep at Stanford this weekend to maintain its edge in the standings, UCLA is still in the hunt with two series to go.

For Arizona, getting swept in Los Angeles was the latest disappointment in what many thought would be an impressive 2013 season. The 2012 College World Series champs slipped to 29-20 with the loss on Sunday, effectively ending their chances at hosting a postseason tournament. The Wildcats are currently 10 games behind the Beavers in the Pac-12 loss column, and are 0-9 against the top three teams in the conference (OSU, Oregon and UCLA). Unless head coach Andy Lopez can find some of the magic of yesteryear, Arizona looks to have a tough time defending its crown this season.

Looking ahead, UCLA hits the road for a non-conference game versus No. 4 Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday before heading across town for a three-game set with Southern Cal. The Bruins dropped a 9-6 decision at home to the Titans last month, and registered a 6-1 win over the Trojans in March.

An upset win over CSF would be a nice feather in the cap for John Savage‘s squad, but the real focus should be on ‘SC. With the Ducks and Beavers set to do battle in the Civil War this weekend, UCLA has a prime opportunity to regain some real estate in the Pac-12 title race. Three losses will be spread between the first and second place teams, leaving some wiggle room for the third-place Bruins to make a move.

But in order to take full advantage, UCLA will need to earn its first road sweep of the year, and its third straight in conference. If the Bruins can take three from the Trojans at Dedeaux Field, the post-Civil War standings could shine brightly on UCLA. Anything less and the 2013 conference crown will be on its way to Oregon.

Johnathan Franklin (23), Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA’s all-time leading rusher in Johnathan Franklin was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 4th-round of the 2013 NFL Draft—just after Matt Barkley was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles and new head coach Chip Kelly. It was an interesting offseason for the Pac-12 and more so for Franklin, as his draft position dropped lower than expected due to some relatively exciting competition. However, in spite of the dip, Franklin was still rewarded with a four-year, $2.5 million contract, so he shouldn’t feel too bad.

The Packers are hosting a mandatory three-day minicamp this weekend to get the players acclimated to life in the league. Franklin will participate, contrary to popular belief (and initial reports), as he graduated last June and played the 2012 season as a graduate student. Hopefully, The Mayor will be able to establish himself enough during minicamp and prove to the Packers that they got a steal by snagging him with the 125th overall pick.

Leaving a mark should be at the forefront of Franklin’s mind, as former Alabama RB and three-time BCS National Champion Eddie Lacy was also selected by Green Bay. Lacy, while bigger than Franklin, has less of an instinct for the game and can’t cut on a dime like #23 did at UCLA. Nonetheless, they both have a nose for the end zone—Franklin scoring 31 times in his four-year career and Lacy scoring 30 times in a three-year tenure—so the competition should be fierce.

What does this mean for Franklin? Well, Lacy and Franklin are both great blocking backs, but they have a fair amount of differences. Franklin is a better pass catcher, whereas Lacy is a better tackle breaker. It’ll be interesting to see what the Packers need and how the backs’ talents translate over the course of their minicamps.

To address the former, the Packers need (on top of a better offensive line) a running back who can protect three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, who is widely considered one of the best QBs in the NFL, if not the best, was sacked 51 times last season. While both Lacy and Franklin could protect him, Lacy has the upper hand in this category by virtue of his SEC-tested body. Franklin will need to show that his blocking talents carry over to the professional level.

Last, but certainly not least, is to see how their talents translate. Franklin’s ability to weave around defenders will always be his calling card, but he should improve with a much better line than he had at UCLA. Lacy, on the other hand, has a tendency to break tackles, truck defenders and spin his way out of their grasp. His talent is much more vulnerable at the next level, as defenders are bigger, smarter and more agile than those in the NCAA. Both Franklin and Lacy could have outstanding careers, but only one can become the go-to guy.

Keep an eye out for more news on the battle for running back in Green Bay as the Packers continue to mull over Franklin and Lacy in minicamp!

Arizona Wildcats hoist 2012 CWS Trophy, Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

The No. 8 UCLA baseball team will resume its Pac-12 schedule tonight when defending national champion Arizona comes to Jackie Robinson Stadium for a three-game series.

After taking home the 2012 College World Series title, the Wildcats were ranked in the preseason and expected to contend again. And though the Cats have slipped out of the polls and back in the PAC, they possess the tools to win tough games.

At 29-17 overall, Arizona is still on the cusp of the national rankings (No. 27 in the NCBWA poll), and has plenty left to play for. A postseason berth seems likely for the Cats, but NCAA Regional seeding is still to be determined. This series is an opportunity for Arizona to grind out some resume-bolstering (and potentially season-saving) wins. So don’t expect 12th-year head coach and two-time CWS champ Andy Lopez to let that slip away.

For the Bruins, this weekend is all about keeping pace—that’s what it’s been and that’s what it’ll be from here on out. UCLA (31-14, 14-7 Pac-12) is still stuck three games behind unflappable Oregon State in the loss column, and the season’s end is drawing near.

But there is good news. The Beavers are on the road to face No. 21 Stanford in Palo Alto this weekend, which could mean a loss or two for OSU. They only have four conference losses this season, and three of them have come away from Corvallis. And if it’s not the Cardinal that can get it done, Oregon will get a crack at the Beavs in the Civil War the following week. The Ducks are second in the standings—two games ahead of the Bruins—so the outcome of those series will decide who claims the conference crown.

UCLA just needs to focus on its own game. Pitch-for-pitch, swing-by-swing: play up to the lofty potential that has been exhibited at times this season. Dropping decisions to “should-beat” teams, like Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to Cal State Northridge, isn’t where the Bruins want to be. But three wins this weekend would put them right there.

If the Bruins can bring their bats vs. the Cats, the pitching staff will carry the torch to the finish. Weekend starters Adam Plutko and Nick Vander Tuig are looking to continue their dominance of the first two days, while Sunday southpaw Grant Watson is searching for some consistency. As we get into the stretch run of the season, the starting rotation will need to tighten up. Given their persistent struggles at the plate, the Bruins can’t afford to dig themselves an early hole.

In three short days, the race for the 2013 Pac-12 baseball title will be a whole lot clearer. UCLA is right there, but will have to be near-perfect the rest of the way to stay in the conversation. And while the Bruins should stay focused on Arizona, you can bet they’ll be watching the scores from Stanford too.