With each practice, UCLA has improved as a team. And with each
game, it finds something new to improve upon.
Heading into tonight’s game against Long Beach State
(1-2), the Bruins (3-0) hope to develop their motion offense, which
has been lacking in the first three games.
“After running a set play, if we don’t have
something we want, we have to get better at executing
motion,” coach Ben Howland said.
Starting two freshmen in the backcourt, as well as two big men
who are natural centers, has complicated the task of running that
offense. But improving the motion was intended to be the focal
point of Monday’s practice and the team hopes it will
naturally gel as a result of increased time spent working on
it.
“We didn’t have too much continuity, but I think
that will come from practicing every day and the more we play
together,” point guard Jordan Farmar said after
Saturday’s win over UC Irvine.
Running the motion offense should increase ball movement and
allow for better looks for the post players. Howland hopes the ball
finds its way into center Michael Fey’s hands more often.
After scoring 11 points in the first half of Saturday’s game,
Fey took only two shots in the second half as his touches became
glaringly limited.
“We’ve got to get better at feeding him,”
Howland said.
“We were feeding him when everyone in the building knew it
was coming.”
For his part, Fey indicated he needs to be more assertive in
demanding the ball, but said he must be selective of when to do
so.
“You pick your time when you want to demand it,” Fey
said. “You can’t demand it every time because
it’s not going to be there.”
Tonight’s game marks another good opportunity for the
7-foot Fey to exert his presence against a smaller opponent. But
the 49ers’ starting center, Anthony Coleman, may present Fey
with his stiffest challenge on both the offensive and defensive
ends. Standing at 6-feet-11, Coleman is the 49ers leading scorer at
18.3 points per contest and leading rebounder with seven a
game.
But Howland is primarily concerned with his team’s
perimeter defense at this point in the season. He pointed to
UCI’s ability to beat his players off the dribble as one
weakness his team will need to improve upon.
“The best teams in our league have lot of perimeter guys
who want to make plays off the bounce,” Howland said.
“We need to get better at it or we’re going to be in
trouble in league.”
Part of the problem UCLA has had defensively stems from playing
two natural centers, Hollins and Fey, at the same time. UCI
exploited this factor by bringing its center out onto the
perimeter, forcing UCLA’s big men away from the interior.
“Sometimes we were late to hedge,” Howland said.
“They were good at setting little, quick on-ball screens,
and Mike was late a couple times.”
Tonight will mark another test to evaluate whether the Bruins
have improved in this facet. And whether they pass it or not, there
will still be more to improve upon at this early juncture of the
season.