M. basketball: Howland highlights need for improved rebounding

UCLA men’s basketball coach Ben Howland stressed improved
rebounding as a necessity in this week’s games against
Arizona State and Arizona, especially for sophomore centers Michael
Fey and Ryan Hollins. “They’ve got to do a better
job,” Howland said. In conference play, the pair has combined
for only 16 rebounds in 160 minutes. During Saturday’s 86-84
overtime victory against Washington, Fey started at center and
played for 39 minutes, but did not grab one rebound. Hollins played
for 17 minutes and only secured a single rebound on the defensive
end of the court. Two days earlier against Washington State,
Hollins snatched two rebounds and Fey did not pull down any.
“We’re hoping to get better as the season
progresses,” Howland said. “It is something we’re
going to emphasize in practice the next couple days.”

WALCOTT TO REMAIN AT POINT GUARD: Howland
confirmed that redshirt junior Ryan Walcott will remain
UCLA’s back-up point guard after a lackluster performance
against Washington on Saturday night. After junior Cedric Bozeman
committed two fouls only two seconds apart and fouled out with six
minutes left in regulation play, Walcott entered to finish the
contest but lost a nine-point lead, forcing the game into overtime.
Melting in the face of Washington’s press, Walcott missed all
four of his attempted field goals and all three of his three-point
attempts, and turned the ball over three times. “Ryan will be
fine,” Bozeman said. “Ryan knows when he goes in;
he’ll play well. We just need to keep pumping confidence in
him.”

INJURY REPORT: Injured shooting guard junior
Brian Morrison is unlikely to play in this week’s games after
reinjuring his hamstring during a walk-through before Thursday
night’s game against Washington State. “It’s
unfortunate,” Howland said. “We’d like to get him
back.” Senior T.J. Cummings, who injured his right big toe
against Oregon State, has been continuing a treatment including
ice, heat and ultra-sound, as well as metal inserts and a cushion
in his shoes to prevent movement. “It’s like I got a
baby in my foot,” he said. Although the injury is still
bothering him, Cummings says he thinks it will heal soon.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *