Slowly but surely, the No. 1 UCLA men’s basketball team is beginning to look like the team that it was projected to be, as its players begin to return to practice from injuries.
Juniors Darren Collison and Michael Roll both returned to practice on Monday after nursing a grade one MCL sprain and a ruptured plantar fascia, respectively, and may find their way onto the roster when the Bruins (6-0) take on George Washington (3-1) tonight.
“You could tell they’re still coming back from injury,” junior Josh Shipp said. “Just like with any injury, they’re a little tentative with certain things. The biggest thing is to regain that confidence and that’s only going to come with playing minutes.”
Shipp knows as well as anyone on the Bruin squad that patience and practice are the keys to recovering and making an impact for the team, having come back from two hip surgeries himself.
Roll, who had previously been limited to working on his shooting form without jumping, was finally able to work on his jump shot and his ability to come off screens in Monday’s practice, aided by orthotic cushions in his shoes used for arch support.
During his time on the sidelines ““ the entirety of the regular season thus far ““ Roll has made use of a new perspective and taken note of the intricacies of the Bruin offense and defense in a different light.
“It’s definitely a different perspective,” Roll said of sitting on the bench. “There’s always a silver lining. It helped me learn and see my teammates from different angles, and see how they want to play.”
Once again, Roll will likely be watching the action from the bench as he is doubtful for tonight’s game.
Meanwhile, Collison, who is a game-time decision, was able to play with a brace and several teammates were impressed by his play, although he seemed slightly hesitant due to the fact that he doesn’t have as much mobility while wearing the brace.
The Colonials present a press similar to one that the Bruins faced earlier this season against Cal State San Bernardino. Consequently, sophomore Russell Westbrook will once again be expected to break down the defense, with the help of Shipp and perhaps even Collison if the junior is able to play a few minutes tonight.
“We definitely like teams that press because it gives us opportunities to attack,” Shipp said. “A lot of fast breaks or mismatches, a lot of two-on-ones.”
The Bruins’ most recent injury was a blow to the eye that junior center Alfred Aboya suffered in the Bruins’ win over Yale on the day after Thanksgiving. Aboya fractured his right orbital floor after turning into the elbow of a Bulldog upon grabbing a rebound, and lost his vision for two hours before regaining blurred vision.
Aboya will be playing with protective goggles that were approved by a specialist and provided by the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I just can’t wait to see Alfred in those goggles,” freshman center Kevin Love said. “I can see it now ““ if he’s wearing the goggles, the whole crowd is going to have goggles on, so it’ll be fun.”
Even Aboya himself is eager to see what the new addition to his gear will look like, but won’t let it have an impact on the way he plays or approaches tonight’s game against George Washington.
“That’s not going to change how I play,” Aboya said. “Goggles or no goggles, Alfred is always playing 110 percent.”
And when asked if he might possibly tone it down a bit to 105 percent to prevent further injury, he was quick to reply.
“No, 110 percent,” Aboya said. “I’m Alfred. And Alfred Aboya is known by how hard he’s playing.”