Collison wants to change the tune
SAN ANTONIO -- For the record, Darren Collison is ready to experience “One Shining Moment,” but otherwise doesn’t want to hear it.
The song has become something of an anthem to CBS’ television coverage of the Final Four, and UCLA players got a chance to preview the video that goes along with it.
“That gave me chills,” freshman Kevin Love said.
It gave Collison a burn.
“The video itself was cool. But personally I’m kind of tired of the music,” said UCLA’s point guard, a veteran of three Final Fours. “. . . It’s just like, you know, you hear it so many times.”
Love did his best to keep the mood light. “The ball is tipped and there you are . . .” he crooned, laughing.
Collison: “Third year, right now it’s just about winning. . . . Maybe when we win it I’m going to love that music. I’m going to play it a lot.”
Love: “As you can see, I didn’t get the singing gene from my Uncle Mike. That sent chills up and down my spine even though, like Darren said, the song is a little cheesy. When it says, ‘Will you be next?’ that was pretty cool.”
Collison: “How long have they had that music? Anybody know? Can they change it? Have a little hip-hop?”
Love: “What are they going to throw in there, though?”
Collison: “A little Jay Z.”
Love: “You want me to give you a beat? . . “
Collison: “Go ahead and sing.”
Love: “I can’t rap, man. . . . Back to business. Sorry about that.”
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Luc Richard Mbah a Moute’s parents have never seen him play basketball for UCLA in person, but that’s about to change.
His mother, Agnes Goufane Ziem, arrived at UCLA’s team hotel Friday, and his father, Camille Moute a Bidias, was expected to attend today’s game.
Mbah a Moute left home before his junior year in high school to play basketball at Montverde (Fla.) Academy, and until last summer he didn’t go home to Yaounde, Cameroon in West Africa.
During last year’s Final Four run, Mbah a Moute had expected his parents, but a combination of visa problems and an eye infection kept either parent from traveling to Atlanta.
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How many times has UCLA appeared in the Final Four?
You’ve probably seen that answered a couple of different ways.
The answer is 18 -- but only 17 officially count, according to the NCAA.
The 1980 Bruins made it to the national championship game before losing to Louisville, but because of NCAA rules violations committed under coach Larry Brown the results of the 1980 tournament were vacated.
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Memphis Coach John Calipari says what Vance Walberg’s offense needed was a snappier name.
Walberg, the former Pepperdine coach, called it Attack, Attack, Skip, Attack, Attack, or AASAA for short.
Calipari called the offense -- a scheme based on dribble penetration -- the “Dribble Drive Motion” offense.
And lately, something even catchier: “Princeton on Steroids.”
“He can call it anything he wants,” Walberg said, laughing. “He’s doing a great job with it.”
Walberg resigned at Pepperdine at midseason amid team dissension and a losing record, but he has been with Memphis for at least part of its Final Four ride, joining the Tigers in Little Rock, Ark., Houston and at the Final Four.
Calipari met Walberg six years ago and started using the offense about three years ago.
“I didn’t want to steal his stuff. It’s his stuff,” Calipari said. “Now, he wouldn’t do it the way I’m running it. He still thinks you need to do this, or that.
“I said, ‘Vance, you need to defend like we defend.’ ”
Yes, and recruit similar athletes.
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Times staff writer Robyn Norwood contributed to this report.
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mike.hiserman@latimes.com
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