Oklahoma Can Be OK, but Not for UCLA in NCAA Tournament

To Tyus, Charles and Ed. In case you still don’t know where Tulsa is--it’s in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

RICHARD C. ZOESCH

Los Angeles

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Mr. Ed O’Bannon: I am shocked you did not know where Tulsa is.

You should certainly get out more. It is the most beautiful part of the United States.

We are very proud of Oklahoma.

ANN IVERSON

Newport Beach

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Nothing justifies a sports program, win or lose, when athletes at a major university don’t know that Tulsa is in Oklahoma. How about scholarships for students, not just under-educated jocks?

JOHN N. LEVI JR.

Los Angeles

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I am continually amazed when quality writers like Thomas Bonk and Gene Wojciechowski automatically assume that every UCLA fan who dares to criticize Jim Harrick lives in a fantasyland where anything less than a perfect season and a national championship is unacceptable.

On the contrary, sincere UCLA fans can accept that the Wooden era is over, that there is parity in college basketball, that it is difficult to win on the road against a quality opponent and that Jim Harrick is a swell guy who graduates most of his athletes.

We would be more satisfied if UCLA consistently put forth the kind of effort it did against an excellent Louisville team.

What we can’t, and won’t, accept is a UCLA team that doesn’t get back on defense, doesn’t rebound, seems confused in the half-court offense and often plays without emotion or intensity. And we certainly can’t accept a team that seems to play its best ball in December against easier opponents and its worst ball in March against tougher opposition.

We will continue to demand excellence from UCLA’s basketball teams because of their history and tradition. Yes, we know there will never be another John Wooden, but it doesn’t mean we have to settle for a Jim Harrick.

LEONARD B. LEVINE

Los Angeles

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Jim Harrick will win the NCAA championship before John Robinson gets out of the Freedom Bowl and George Raveling gets out of the NIT.

JIM BLISS

Downey

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Jim Harrick is a lousy coach, right? Can’t motivate his players, can’t win a big game. Try selling that to Denny Crum. Come on, Bruin bashers, get real.

WENDELL WELLMAN

West Covina