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When it comes to UCLA’s NCAA hoops title aspirations in 2009, as the Beatle phrase that’s been beaten to death by derivative scribes like myself goes, “All you need is Love.”  But should Kevin do the expected and start collecting NBA paychecks, a potential replacement at center may more than “do” in a pinch.

Phenom high school big J’mison Morgan confirmed reports that he asked out of his letter of intent at LSU in the hopes of joining Sly and the Family Howland.  That ex-coach John Brady was replaced with Stanford’s Trent Johnson instead of assistant coach Butch Pierre likely didn’t help matters — Morgan was pretty tight with the latter candidate — but the bottom may be a matter of television cameras.  As in, there’s a helluva lot more of them filming the action in Westwood than the Bayou, which Morgan readily acknowledges. 

Where this will go obviously remains to be seen.  Frankly, I have no idea how complicated (if at all) it is to back out of that intent paper.  And there was word from Morgan’s coach (albeit in late April) that the kid planned to remain at LSU. But assuming the most recent news is the dope to go by,  it’s hard to believe this wouldn’t be a huge get for UCLA, especially given next season’s roster uncertainty.  Darren Collison may be returning, but just about everyone else from Russell Westbrook to Josh Shipp to maybe even the court mopper guy has expressed interest in the draft.  And while UCLA’s freshman class (featuring Campbell High product J’Rue Holiday) is considered among the nation’s tops), enough guys leaving could potentially neutralize that effect.  If nothing else, it would leave the Bruins perhaps ultra-talented and even more inexperienced.  In other words, to paraphrase the Deltas in Animal House, they need the dudes.  And Morgan sounds like a particularly good dude to have on board.

Stay tuned to see where this development goes.

AK

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