UCLA: New Year’s Wishes For 2012

Now that 2011 has roughly 40 hours to go, I thought I would write what I wish for UCLA  Bruin Athletics in the new year.

FOR FOOTBALL, I WISH:

– That Brett Hundley will win the job as the Bruins’ starting quarterback  this spring and have a great year under center this fall, playing a big part in getting UCLA back to respectability and relevance.

– That Johnathan Franklin will return for his senior year (which he should, as he’s not ready for the NFL in my view) and stop fumbling the ball.

– That new head coach Jim L. Mora will establish a new winning culture and attitude in the program, where things like the “Over The Wall” stunt will not be tolerated and where he, unlike Rick Neuheisel, won’t have to yell, “I can’t be the only one that cares!”

– That the Bruins will sign a top ten recruiting class that can help the team right away, and…

– While I won’t state as a wish that the Bruins go undefeated – that’s too unrealistic – I will state as a wish that the Bruins win at least eight games, be a legit contender in the Pac-12 South, and be 1,000 times more competitive against USC if not outright beat them.

FOR BASKETBALL, I WISH:

– That Ben Howland’s hoopsters will continue to improve and play like a cohesive unit, as they have done since dismissing Reeves Nelson from the team.

– That they will play great in the Pac-12 Conference and be strong contenders for the championship, if not outright win it.

– That they will make, at minimum, the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.

– That Joshua Smith will drop at least 15 to 20 pounds and establish himself  once and for all as the dominant force at center in the Pac-12, and one of the dominant forces down below in the country…

– That the UCLA students and fans will make a better presence at the Sports Arena and provide bigger crowds for those games there; it may not be a great venue but for this year, it’s all the Bruins have, and…

–  Finally, for the new Pauley Pavilion – it’s scheduled to reopen in September of 2012 – to be such an outstanding facility that recruits will be clamoring to sign with UCLA.

AND FOR THE OTHER UCLA SPORTS, I WISH:

– That the baseball team will be able to adequately replace the pitchers who were taken first and third overall in the MLB Draft this year, Garret Cole and Trevor Bauer, fix their hitting issues that held them back in 2011, and make the College World Series in 2012.

– That the women’s basketball team can overcome the loss of Jasmine Dixon and Atonye Nyingifa to contend in the Pac-12 Conference and make the NCAA Tournament.

–  That the women’s gymnastics team meets expectations and has an injury-free dream season on the way to winning their 7th national championship.

– That the men’s and women’s track and field teams both beat USC in their annual dual meet this spring, and…

– That the other Bruin sports – softball, women’s water polo, men’s volleyball, women’s golf and swimming / diving – have great seasons, win the conference, and be contenders for the  NCAA title if not win the title.

Those are my wishes; whether or not they come true will not depend on Barbara Eden from “I Dream of Jeannie”, or any genie for that matter, but on how much these teams want to be successful and how focused they are.

I think I speak for everybody in Bruin Nation in wishing everyone a very Happy New Year, and may 2012 be as good or better than 2011.