One of the biggest surprises on the basketball court this season was the play of true freshman forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. The young freshman was a pleasure watch and he was inspiring too. Mbah a Moute did all the small things that helped the Bruins win. His rebounding was one of the key ingredients for UCLA's great season. BruinBlitz.com was able to have a few moments with Mbah a Moute.

BruinBlitz.com: Congratulations on a tremendous true freshman season. Did you expect that you could come out and perform as well as you did this past season?

Mbah a Moute: "Oh definitely. I wanted to go to a school where I was going to get a chance to make an impact my freshman year. Even though I wasn't recruited highly out of high school or anything I knew initially I was going to make an impact and that's why came to UCLA."

"As far as going far in the tournament that's another question for my teammates. We have a great team and I was just out there helping my team and trying to become a better player every time I step onto the court."

BruinBlitz.com: What is the mindset of a rebounder like you? Can you give us some insight on what you are going through, the process of what you are going through when you are going after that ball?

Mbah a Moute: "To me rebounding is natural. I've never worked on rebounding or anything like that. In actuality I rebound because I wanted the ball. I just kind of made a commitment when I came out here to UCLA that coach (Ben Howland) so just try to go out every time and make a commitment and I guess I have a good feel for the ball. I kind of always know where the ball is so it that stuff happens, it is just natural."

BruinBlitz.com: I heard somewhere that you and Alfred faked out Mohamed Tangara by speaking French pretending you didn't know he also spoke French and he (Tangara) fell for it and you got an easy two. Did you guys try anything like that against Joakim Noah?

Mbah a Moute: "Oh no not against Noah, but maybe we should have. We didn't try to do that maybe if we play them next year we will try to do that."

...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial