If you go to this page, you can link to audio of this week's conference calls with each of the Pac-10 coaches. The page has the order in which the coaches speak: Ben Howland happens to be last. If you have no need to see the schedule, and you want to go straight to the call, click here. You will need the Real Player to listen (the free player download is on the right side of the screen).

Highlights from Howland's call: he addressed how UCLA's team has changed since playing OSU the first time. he of course went out of his way to comment on how talented OSU is. he said that UCLA was very fortunate to beat OSU last thursday (with which I agree wholeheartedly). Howland also received the obligatory question about the Bruins' chances of making the ncaa tourney. he responded by bringing up the stat that 60 of the last 61 teams with 11 Pac-10 wins have made the tournament, but that he doesn't know for sure, so the team just has to worry about winning the next game. Howland also talked about how the freshmen are no longer freshmen, not only because they have played in 27 games, but also because they have played so many minutes. a good point indeed.

I haven't listened to his call, but Jim Saia also is on the list. Isn't that a little cruel? What did they ask him? Perhaps the conversation went something like this:
Q: So Jim, what are your thoughts on this week's Pac-10 tournament?
A: Well, i haven't thought about it too much because we're not in it.
Q: Oh yeah, sorry, SC's season is over, I forgot. Well, what about next year?
A: Actually I don't have to think about next year either because I am no longer the coach; my replacement was hired during the season.
Q: Okay, sooooo, ummm... well, errrr... read any good books lately?...