Four to Love: A quick Q&A with former UCLA star Kevin Love

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One-and-done sensation Kevin Love returned to UCLA on Thursday night to watch his Bruins take down the Oregon State Beavers, 79-54. Love’s been averaging 9.9 points and 8.8 rebounds a game in his rookie campaign with the Minnesota Timberwolves. We caught up with him for a quick Q&A:

Who do you think is going to be the biggest surprise this year in the NCAA tournament?

I don’t know about a surprise, but I like teams like Pittsburgh. I like teams like Utah. Obviously I’m not trying to be a front-runner, I just think those teams are tough and well coached. They’re gritty how they get down on D. Obviously I have to be a front-runner for the Bruins as well.

A lot of teams were front-runners this year. It seemed like every No. 1 team got knocked off. Was that top ranking a curse?

I think so. Also, you saw four No. 1 seeds make it [to the Final Four] last year. I don’t think that’s going to happen again for a long, long time. Anybody can be upset. Holding that No. 1 ranking doesn’t necessarily mean you’re No. 1. It matters who’s No. 1 at the end of the season.

What does UCLA need to do in order to be successful in the tournament?

They need inside scoring, they need to play the D they always do, and really get going on offense as well.

If you were still here, what’s the contribution you would be making?

Double-double! 20 [points] and 15 [rebounds], every game!

-- Adam Rose