Among the things UCLA lacked in last season’s loss to Florida in the national title game was any sort of spark off the bench to quell a Gator run or dash into the lead. The Gator bench actually outscored what was supposed to be a deeper Bruin bench 15-4. Without any sort of resistance from the Bruin reserves, Florida was able to steadily increase their lead all game long.
If freshman guard Russell Westbrook’s play as of late has been any indication, the Bruins might not have the same problem against Florida this season.
Westbrook doesn’t see the minutes that sophomore point guard Darren Collison saw off the bench last season as the backup point guard. He doesn’t even play as much as sophomore guard/forward Michael Roll or sophomore forward/center Alfred Aboya off the Bruin bench this year.
But all season long, Westbrook has had the unique ability to make an impact on games in his limited minutes, particularly in the first half when the opposing team is making its move. That hasn’t changed at all with the big stage of the NCAA Tournament.
Westbrook jump-started a Bruin offense that was struggling mightily to score against Indiana in the Round of 32 with four points in four minutes, highlighted by a fantastic slam dunk in transition. Against Kansas on Saturday, Westbrook had a similar impact, finding sophomore guard/forward Josh Shipp for an open 3-pointer and bringing the crowd to its feet on the ensuing Kansas possession with a steal and dunk to give UCLA the lead back.
“I love Russell because he plays with great enthusiasm,” coach Ben Howland said. “He’s a very smart player; he loves his teammates, and he embodies exactly what I want out of a player in terms of attitude. I know he’s going to be really good in time because it’s so important to him. He loves the game and loves being a UCLA Bruin.”
Westbrook struggled mightily replacing Collison in his lone start of the year against West Virginia., but since that point in the season he has not had any trouble going back to his role on the bench and being the spark plug the Bruins have needed.
“He’s not just making plays, he’s making plays that you can feed off of,” Collison said. “He’s not a freshman anymore, he’s a sophomore.”
Westbrook’s game has only elevated as the Bruins have made their stretch run and couldn’t be more ready to play Florida on the biggest stage of all on Saturday.
“This is my first year; I’ve never experienced (the Final Four),” Westbrook said. “It’s the best feeling I’ve had in a long time.”
ARRON AFFLALO CONSENSUS ALL-AMERICAN: Junior guard Arron Afflalo earned yet another huge honor, being named to The Associated Press’s first-team All-America team on Monday.
Afflalo, a first-team All-America selection by every major media outlet, joins Texas A&M’s Acie Law IV, Texas’ Kevin Durant, Ohio States’s Greg Oden and Wisconsin’s Alando Tucker on the team.
Afflalo also joined nine other players, including the aforementioned four, on the John Wooden All-America team on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Collison was voted National Defensive Player of the Year by collegeinsider.com.