In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage begin to preview UCLA's Week 1 matchup on the road against Cal. How will the Bruins attack the Bears and what are the key matchups to know? Connor and Jack also break down their recent UCLA football practice observations and linebacker Trent Hendrick's eligibility win from Tuesday. As always, the show finishes with questions from subscribers.

(3:13) - Previewing UCLA vs. Cal

(21:23) - More thoughts on what we've seen in fall camp

(38:32) - New linebacker Trent Hendrick clears another eligibility hurdle

(45:05) - Listener Q&A

UCLA is the defending National Champion, and every player who started the title game is now in the WNBA. Kris Johnson sits down with head coach Cori Close to find out what's actually left in Westwood. What did she see when she took a brand new roster to Canada to play Canada's senior national team? Close tells the show that she thought the Bruins might get waxed by 20. They didn't.

She also breaks down the backcourt. Where have Donovyn Hunter and Elina Aarnisalo separated themselves? Plus, Close goes into detail on freshman Somto Okafor and compares her to Michaela Onyenwere.

Later, Close discusses adding to the roster. The Bruins have a player they want to add depending on how the five-for-five case ends up. She also explains the thinking behind the Texas game on October 25th and answers if the non-conference schedule has gotten softer. Plus, who takes over the Mind Gym now that Tasha Brown is at Washington. All of that and more on this week's Word Around Westwood.

(0:00) - Intro 

(1:00) - Why UCLA played Canada's national team in July 

(2:49) - Running it forward, not running it back 

(4:53) - The challenge of maintaining the culture 

(7:25) - Close thought they might lose by 20 

(9:09) - The second scrimmage and what the film showed 

(12:03) - The starting five, and why not to get attached to it 

(15:02) - Hunter and Aarnisalo in the backcourt 

(17:48) - Freshman Somto Okafor and the Onyenwere comp 

(19:08) - Is this the final roster? 

(21:25) - Who takes over the Mind Gym 

(24:30) - Scheduling Texas, and another exhibition coming 

(25:56) - Did the schedule get softer? 

(27:19) - What Close wants Bruin fans to know

Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage react to UCLA football adding James Madison linebacker transfer Trent Hendrick, the reigning Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage discuss UCLA's pursuit of linebacker Trent Hendrick, who received an additional year of college eligibility thanks to a court order Wednesday.

Connor and Jack then recap everything they learned about UCLA football at the team's Media Day that took place Wednesday. Connor and Jack discuss their takeaways from the comments made by defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler and offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy, which includes updates on key position battles. Several players were also made available Wednesday, and Connor and Jack also give their takes on comments made by Nico Iamaleava, Derrick Barksdale, Tao Johnson and other Bruins regarding team chemistry and the depth chart.

The show continues with an update on California Post writer Ben Bolch's story on UCLA getting back control of its logo and what that means for the athletic department. As always, the podcast wraps up with Connor and Jack answering subscriber questions.

(2:14) - Could UCLA sign James Madison linebacker transfer Trent Hendrick?

(13:06) - What we learned at UCLA football's Media Day

(41:00) - UCLA can now profit off its logo!?

(47:08) - Listener Q&A

Russell Westbrook has called it a career after 18 seasons, retiring as the NBA's all-time triple-double leader, a former MVP, and a nine-time All-Star. On this emergency episode of Word Around Westwood, Kris Johnson talks with the man who found Westbrook before he was Westbrook: former UCLA assistant coach Kerry Keating, who identified and recruited him to Westwood when almost no one else saw it coming. Keating takes us back to the beginning, the recruitment, what he saw in a young Russ that others missed, and how a two-year run at UCLA set the foundation for one of the most unique careers in NBA history.

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage give their thoughts on what they've seen at UCLA football's fall camp through six practices. The duo plays a game of 'Buy or Sell' by choosing players they're buying stock in (2:15) and three players they're selling stock of (35:52) based on fall camp observations. The show ends with Connor and Jack answering questions from subscribers (48:11).

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage recap everything they learned about UCLA football at Big Ten football media day in Chicago. Head coach Bob Chesney and players Nico Iamaleava, Sammy Omosigho and Cole Martin represented the Bruins at media day.

(0:30) Morrissette and Savage break down the most interesting themes and storylines the UCLA contingent discussed in Chicago, which includes Chesney continuing to impress at the podium.

(9:55) Scooter Jackson's eligibility

(13:05) Injury updates

(44:45) Chesney saying he wants to "lead the nation in development."

The show ends with a Q&A from subscribers.

In the latest edition of the Word Around Westwood Podcast, Bruin247 writers Connor Morrissette and Jack Savage preview UCLA football's fall camp and the Big Ten Media Day in Chicago. The duo breaks down their top three biggest storylines heading into fall camp (0:00) in addition to digging into some questions they hope get answered at media day. After that, Jack provides a recruiting update (38:05), and the show finishes with Connor and Jack answering subscriber questions. 

In the latest edition of The Word Around Westwood Podcast, Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson continue to discuss the Nikola Kusturica addition for UCLA men's basketball and how it affects the ceiling for next year's team (0:00). The duo then hits on the potential strengths and weaknesses of next year's roster as well as if the program will look to add any more players for next season (6:14). After that, Kris breaks down the top prospects and latest intel he's received after covering multiple premier offseason AAU events in person (45:31). The show wraps up with Connor and Kris answering questions from viewers and subscribers (1:06:26).

In the latest edition of The Word Around Westwood Podcast, Connor Morrissette and Kris Johnson discuss the biggest offseason storylines facing Mick Cronin and the UCLA men's basketball program.

The show begins with UCLA's recruitment of Nikola Kusturica (0:00). The duo then pivots to discussing what a successful season will look like for Cronin (26:29) and continues with looking closer at the roles of Trent Perry, Filip Jovic and Sergej Macura (47:56). Connor and Kris wrap up the show by answering YouTube and subscriber questions (1:01:32).