Basketball Preview: Q&A with Mike Roll

Michael Roll, a freshman from Aliso Viejo in Orange
County, has played a significant role for UCLA this season. Roll
hit two big threes in the comeback attempt against USC and has
embraced the role as UCLA’s outside shooter in his first
season with the Bruins. Roll recently sat down with Daily Bruin
reporter Ajaybir Behniwal to discuss his time at UCLA and his
hometown in Orange Country.

Daily Bruin: What do you think coach Howland saw in you that
other coaches may have overlooked?

Michael Roll: My toughness probably and that I like to come out
and give it my all every time.

DB: You gave a verbal commitment to UC Santa Barbara. What
made you change your mind and come here?

MR: Growing up as a kid, I always used to watch UCLA basketball
on TV. And Westwood has some great history and a lot of magic has
happened here. I just wanted to come here and help put up another
banner in the stands.

DB: Did you ever expect to see as much playing time as you
are now?

MR: I didn’t know what to expect. I just thought I’d
come in and work extremely hard and stay and put my hours in and
try to get as much time as I could.

But, yeah, the playing time has been nice.

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DB: When you’re not out competing on the court, what
do you like to do in your free time?

MR: I like hanging out with my friends, watching ESPN’s
SportsCenter and playing basketball.

DB: Do you enjoy any sports besides basketball?

MR: I love football and I actually like soccer too.

DB: What’s your favorite football team?

MR: I was a Raiders fan, but they’re not doing very well,
so I didn’t really watch the Super Bowl at all this year.

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DB: Being from the O.C., are you a fan of the show at
all?

MR: Every time I can watch it, I do. In high school, we used to
have little get-togethers to watch it.

DB: Have you ever been compared to Seth, Ryan or anyone else
on the show?

MR: No, a lot of my friends have though.

DB: Do you consider yourself more of the comedic guy like
Seth or the calm, cool, Ryan-type guy?

MR: Ummm. The calm, cool, Ryan type.

DB: Are the girls from the O.C. really as hot as
they’re portrayed on the show?

MR: In real life, they’re definitely better.

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DB: Whenever you have a huge play or hit a huge shot, there
are usually fans who yell “Mike Roll! Who?! Mike Roll!”
Are you a fan of Mike Jones?

MR: Yeah. Definitely. I played over the summer in the Say No
League and everyone started saying that and it just kind of caught
on and it’s pretty cool.

DB: Do you feel as though at times back then that girls
didn’t like you, but now that you’re hot they all want
you?

MR: I can’t really say that. I’ve never really had a
problem with that.

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DB: If you had the chance to go to anyone on the
team’s hometown, who would you choose and why?

MR: From UCLA? I’d probably go to Arron (Afflalo’s)
home in Compton because he’s always talking about how rough
it is and I want to see that.