Now that Cedric Bozeman, UCLA’s top perimeter defender
last year, is out for the season, freshman Arron Afflalo has taken
it upon himself to develop into the Bruins’ defensive
stopper. Afflalo, who scored a team-high 17 points against
Monterrey Tech on Thursday night, seemed more pleased with his
defense after the game. “I take more pride in that than
scoring a lot of points,” Afflalo said. “Ced was by far
our best defender so with him out it has put a little more pressure
on me to defend some of the other teams’ go-to
players.” Afflalo didn’t have to worry about defending
any All-Americans on Thursday night, but he certainly got the
better of his match-up. The 6-foot-5-inch freshman held Monterrey
Tech shooting guard Roberto Neaves to two points on 1-for-6
shooting. Afflalo also pulled down five rebounds, dished out three
assists, and registered a steal in 28 minutes of action. “He
played well tonight, but he plays that way every day,” UCLA
coach Ben Howland said. “He’s probably our most
consistent player in practice. That’s why he’s going to
be a really good player.” Though Howland said that Afflalo
played just as well in the Bruins’ exhibition opener against
Simon Fraser last week, his shooting percentage certainly improved
Thursday night. Afflalo scored nine points on 3-for-9 shooting last
week. He appeared much more comfortable to take an open shot
against Monterrey Tech, draining 6 of 10 shots from the field
including three 3-pointers. “The first exhibition game I
might have been a little jittery,” Afflalo said. “(Last
night) I made some adjustments on my shot so I could consistently
knock it down.”
SETTLING DOWN: Though senior guard Brian
Morrison scored 16 points in 23 minutes, it was his two turnovers
that Howland was most eager to discuss after the game. “He
only had two, but if you told me he had six I wouldn’t have
been surprised,” Howland said. “He needs to stop trying
to hit a home run and make the solid play.”
SIGN THEM UP: UCLA has received letters of
intent from three of its five recruits, and expects the final two
to arrive in the next few days. Point guard Darren Collison, swing
man Michael Roll, and forward Ryan Wright have each officially
signed with the Bruins. Cameroon natives Luc Mbah A Moute and
Alfred Aboya are expected to get their letters in soon.
“It’s different dealing with parents from so far
away,” Howland said.
HEALTHY AGAIN: Sophomore forward Matt McKinney,
who sat out the game with a sprained right ankle, is expected to
practice with the team today, Howland said. McKinney sustained the
injury in practice Wednesday.
DRIBBLERS: Bozeman had successful surgery to
repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on
Wednesday morning. … Senior Janou Rubin did not enter the game
until less than five minutes remained in the second half.