Eyes Get Moist Thinking of UCLA

Shame on Bill Plaschke for his whining and alibi-filled account of Minnesota’s victory over UCLA. It surprises me that Mr. Plaschke doesn’t see that a team with nine good players is better than a team with five good players. The Gophers were and are the better T-E-A-M.

MICHAEL ERICKSON

San Diego

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So the team that began the tournament ranked No. 3 in the nation and is now in the Final Four with a 31-3 record is “not better than the Bruins.” Once again, Bill Plaschke, you are wrong.

Maybe in a five-on-five playground game the Bruins win; fortunately, that is not the college format. The Gophers actually have players who don’t simply take up space on the bench. Do not forget that Minnesota had its own injured player, Eric Harris. Try being a more objective reporter instead of a Bruin stalwart.

STEVEN H. TAYLOR

Valencia

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Thank you, Minnesota! Now, maybe, the L.A. Times can get down to writing some sports news. I am worried that without the “Baby Blue and Yellow,” The Times will have to break down and hire some real sportswriters. That would be a refreshing change.

JAMES E. FINK

San Diego

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At the end of the game, while Charles O’Bannon’s coach and teammates were crying, I hope Charles was able to keep his composure and remember to ask the Minnesota players: “Do you fear UCLA?”

RILEY PERRY

Los Angeles

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I have been a follower of UCLA basketball since the days of Goodrich, Hazzard and Erickson and I don’t think I ever got as much out of any of the national championship teams as I did out of this year’s non-Final Four team. This team fulfilled the purest goal of intercollegiate athletics--during the season they matured from boys to men.

The lessons learned during the course of this tumultuous season will probably prove of greater value to these Bruins than the winning of any national title was to past Bruins.

JOE GALL

Agoura Hills

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For every USC fan that whines about there not being enough coverage in the papers, there are 10 gutty little Bruins whining about the complaints of Trojan fans.

Even more ridiculous is the bawling and crying of UCLA when they lose (Brandon Loyd last year, Steve Lavin this year). At least Trojan fans take losses like men.

DANIEL B. CORBER

Los Angeles

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Steve Lavin was not crying so much because he lost. He cried because he saw a remarkable team that triumphed over astonishing adversity and against all odds and expectations, nearly making it to the Final Four.

The bad news is, UCLA came up a little short. The good news is, UCLA has one of the brightest, most gifted and inspiring young coaches in America and talented players who believe in their coach, his system and his values.

MICHAEL LAZAROU

Encino

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We don’t know if real men eat quiche. Frankly we don’t care. What we do know is, it takes a real man to appear at a news conference in front of millions of people after a devastating loss, then unashamedly let tears roll down his cheeks. Steve Lavin, your obvious love for your young charges is refreshing in the ‘90s frame of mind, the “me-me-me” “show me the money” attitude.

Your young men are lucky to have you. UCLA is lucky to have you. Los Angeles is lucky to have you.

ANDRE and CHERYL BELL

Los Angeles

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While Steve Lavin’s teary-eyed tale of unwanted misfits overcoming insurmountable odds was heartwarming, it wasn’t really an accurate depiction of UCLA’s season. Reality is that they had one of the top groups of returning players in the country and went through the season without any significant injuries. Not making it to the Final Four should be considered a big disappointment.

ROB OSBORNE

Redondo Beach