One familiar face stood out in the student section during
Wednesday night’s game against Santa Barbara. Former Bruin
Andre Patterson, who was dismissed from UCLA last year for academic
reasons, returned to Pauley to watch his former teammates in their
61-60 loss to the Gauchos. Patterson now attends Tennessee, but
because of NCAA transfer rules, must sit out the 2003-2004
season.
“I’m sad I’m here but not playing,”
Patterson said. “It’s hard not to be around all my
friends (at Tennessee), but it’s good to be
back.”
Last season, Patterson led the Pac-10 in field goal percentage at
60.8 percent. A sophomore last year, he started the final 12 games
of UCLA’s 2002-2003 season.
CRISPIN GETS MINUTES: Senior guard Jon Crispin played in Wednesday
night’s game for the first time this season. He played for
Cedric Bozeman at point guard because second-in line Ryan Walcott
was out due to back spasms.
“Jon came in there and tried his best, but he’s not
used to playing the point,” coach Ben Howland said.
In his three minutes of play, Crispin looked anxious and turned
over the ball after only 17 seconds on the court on a missed pass
to Dijon Thompson. He added no points but grabbed one defensive
rebound. Walcott, who experienced back spasms yesterday, is listed
as in “day-to-day” condition.
COURT TO BE NAMED AFTER WOODEN: Before the Bruins play Michigan
State this Saturday, Pauley Pavilion’s court will be named
after UCLA coaching legend John Wooden and his late wife, Nell.
Sixty-one players from 27 Wooden-coached teams spanning 1948 to
1974 will be present for the honors, including Walt Hazzard, Kareem
Abdul-Jabar, Henry Bibby and Bill Walton. There is an
invitation-only luncheon preceding the ceremony for Wooden and his
former players, with Al Michaels presiding as master of ceremonies.
The court dedication will begin at 3 p.m.