It’s a disturbing trend, one that UCLA knows cannot
continue if it hopes to make a run at an NCAA Tournament berth this
month. Yet, though the Bruins realize they cannot afford to spot
their opponent a big first-half lead each week, they are at a loss
explaining as to why they have trailed by double-digits at halftime
in five of their last seven games. UCLA coach Ben Howland blames it
on a lack of physicality. Senior Brian Morrison points to pre-game
anxiety. Junior Matt McKinney said the Bruins simply haven’t
always been ready to play. The one thing they all agree upon,
however, is that for the Bruins to have success on the road this
weekend in Washington, they must find a way to overcome their
recent first-half woes. “We need to focus on the first half
instead of banking on the fact that we can come from behind every
game,” Morrison said. “I don’t think we’re
playing with the same sense of urgency in the first half as when we
get down in the second.” Howland said he has made getting off
to a better start a priority this week during practice after UCLA
fell behind by 18 points at halftime Saturday against USC before
rallying for a victory. Earlier last month, the Bruins also trailed
by 16 against Washington State and 21 against Washington but
stormed back to win each game. In four of UCLA’s last fiv e
victories, the team has trailed by at least 10 points early in the
first half. “It’s definitely a positive when you are
able to come back, but I’m more comfortable having an early
lead,” Howland said. “It’s important for us to
get off to a good start.” McKinney agreed, noting that the
team has a tendency to overlook the lesser opponents on its
schedule until the situation gets desperate. “We’re
always there for the big games, but it’s something we need to
change,” McKinney said. “We need to be there for every
game.”
PRAISE FOR AFFLALO: Already UCLA’s primary defensive
stopper in the back-court, freshman Arron Afflalo continues to
receive praise from Howland for his ability to hold opposing guards
in check. Where Howland would like to see Afflalo improve
defensively, however, is off the ball. The freshman guard has a
tendency to relax on defense when his man doesn’t have the
ball, Howland said, a weakness that a patient team like Washington
State will be looking to exploit on Thursday. “Sometimes he
gets where he’s standing and watching when his man
doesn’t have the ball instead of rotating,” Howland
said. “But everyone has something to work on, and
that’s his area.”
DRIBBLERS: Howland said that senior Cedric Bozeman, who will
miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, likely will not be
able to begin working out with his teammates until at least June
… Washington State’s Thomas Kelati was named Pac-10 Player
of the Week.