Got My Eye on Reeves

Snickerdoodles, a well done 32 oz sirloin steak, Snuggies -- all things I love dearly. Enter UCLA's Reeves Nelson.

Besides being a friggin' beast, this freshmen forward slams the boards and scores. Sound footwork and a lofty free-throw pct, also round out his fearless style of play.

Two weeks ago in a game against against Cal, Nelson butted heads with Bear's Markhuri Sanders-Frison, resulting in a nice shiner that would please any UFC fighter (insert my 32 oz steak mentioned earlier above - could've brought swelling down). Nearly a week later, after throwing down a monstrous jam, or as I like to call it now, a "Nelson," he lands on the same eye, rupturing the lump, forcing him to head to the locker room with only 7 minutes left in regulation.

He emerged this week like Frankenstein on his way to a board meeting, outfitted in a suit, paired with this season's most coveted accessory: a black, blue and purple eye, complete with 15 stitches. Sources say the large lad underwent eye surgery and lucky for Bruin fans and ME, he will be back in the lineup this Saturday against Washington.

Prior to the news that he would be returning to play the Huskies this next week, I thought a pirate patch might add to his rough demeanor, of course it would have to painted blue and gold.

Nelson adds to the already lofty list of players on the Bruin's injury list including, Senior forward James Keefe, who would have if healthy, helped prop up the team's so far, awkward and unpredictable season.

Yesterday, against Oregon, UCLA is a markedly different team without the talented brut. At halftime the Ducks were up 10, and one couldn't ignore that Roll, Dragovich and Honeycutt could have used his toughness in the key.

While I'm not clear on how the Bruins will perform in the Pac-10 tournament in a few weeks, an appearance by a healthy Reeves Nelson will make for a much more and exciting afternoon for me, who will be donning a Snugee and glued to the t.v.

I heart Reeves Nelson!