T.J. Cummings didn’t start for the first time in 17 games
and UCLA’s frontcourt managed to dominate USC in both points
in the paint and fast-break points.
Coincidence?
Probably not.
UCLA head coach Steve Lavin decided to shake the starting lineup
by going with a new-look front line against the Trojans. Freshman
Ryan Hollins, who has emerged as as dominating post presence for
the Bruins in the past two games, started alongside forwards Andre
Patterson and Dijon Thompson.
Together the three of them accounted for 38 of UCLA’s
points and 18 of the team’s rebounds. They also seemed to
show a syncopated rhythm that has been conspicuously absent on the
court for much of the season.
“We’re similar players,” said Patterson of
Thompson. “I understand what he is trying to do, with him
it’s easy to see what’s going on.”
There are many factors contributing to the pair’s instant
chemistry. Even though each is an underclassman, they have had
ample time to learn each others’ respective games and
styles.
“We’ve been playing with each other since before we
went to UCLA,” Patterson said.
On top of that, there is less pressure on younger players to
succeed in a basketball culture like UCLA’s.
“With younger players, there are less expectations,”
said guard Jon Crispin. “They can just go out there and prove
themselves. Older guys know this is a tough place to play and they
are under a lot of pressure.”
That could be why Cummings has struggled to blend into the
Bruins’ frontcourt all season. In 17 games, he only has 15
assists, compared to 28 turnovers.
That equals an assists/turnover ratio of 0.54; an
assists/turnover ratio greater than one is considered good.
Cummings’ hard times made him the odd man out in last
night’s starting lineup. He only logged 19 minutes for the
Bruins.
To put that in perspective, he’s only played fewer minutes
in two games this season, and not since Dec. 14 against
Portland.
And when he was in the game he struggled to get into a rhythm.
He finished with just eight points, his second-lowest total in the
past 12 games.
He also missed a crucial jumper with 12 seconds left in the game
that would have put the Bruins up by three points.
“I’m really bothered by it,” Cummings said
after the game. “I can’t even speak.”