Bruins Go Against The Grain

UCLA men’s basketball at Washington State last Saturday, according to Jon Wilner of the Los Angeles Daily News:

“The wind blew hard outside Washington State’s Friel Court on Saturday afternoon. There were patches of snow, and the clouds hung low. It was miserable, with intermittent dreariness.

“Inside, UCLA and Washington State battled for last place in chilly silence. The announced crowd was 3,189, but the Cougars must have been counting teeth. It felt like 50. It felt, appropriately enough, like a game at Palouse High.”

Look, it’s a plot

Washington Post film critic Stephen Hunt says of the new movie “Any Given Sunday:” “In retrospect, it’s surprising that it took Oliver Stone so long to get around to pro football.

“After all, between every play, the athletes huddle and come up with a new conspiracy.”

Who says looks don’t count?

The Cincinnati Enquirer received more than 100 casting suggestions for “The Marge Schott Story,” a TV movie on the former Reds owner planned for this year on the USA Network.

Kathy Bates was the leading lady, followed by Shelley Winters, Tyne Daly, Kathy Kinney from “The Drew Carey Show,” and Roseanne.

The No. 2 vote getter? Ernest Borgnine.

Borgnine wasn’t the only male listed. John Goodman, Dennis Franz, Charles Durning, Ed Asner, Tom Lasorda and Boris Yeltsin also made the list.

Looks count

What is it about sex and Sydney?

First, the Australian Olympic women’s soccer team released a controversial calendar, with some full-frontal nudity shots. Now, eyes are popping over high jumper Amy Acuff’s calendar of America’s top women track and field stars.

It makes Victoria’s Secret models look matronly.

It’s also a new way of appreciating women athletes, said Acuff, a 1996 Olympian, who has been promoting the upcoming San Diego Indoor Games.

“This is not a calendar of bimbos,” Acuff said. “These are world-class athletes with brains. Don’t try to argue otherwise.”

Just give him a Hokie sandwich

Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, denying he takes steroids or food supplements, says:

“I’ll tell you what. I eat McDonald’s every day and I got my locker full of candy, so I’m the total opposite. I don’t look for nutrition. I just go out there and get all the junk food I can eat and that’s that.”

The last word …

“The race is on for Buffoon of the Booth, and I am confident Mike Ditka can catch Jerry Glanville and Terry Bradshaw by Halloween.”

- Bernie Lincicome, Chicago Tribune.