Foremost among UCLA coach Ben Howland’s long list of concerns after watching the game film of Saturday’s loss to California was the woes of the Bruins’ interior defense. Neither junior Michael Fey nor freshman Lorenzo Mata could contain unheralded center David Paris, who bulldozed his way to 20 points on 10-for-11 shooting. Fey had been […]
Author Archives: Jeff Eisenberg
M. hoops: Bruins look to avoid deja vu
To some UCLA fans, this past weekend’s dismal homestand against the Bay Area schools evoked memories of last year’s late-season collapse. The Bruins themselves, however, won’t acknowledge the similarities. “It’s a new team,” senior guard Dijon Thompson said. “It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. We’re going to stick together no matter what.” It’s hard […]
M. basketball: Another Stanford win at Pauley
It wasn’t the scene Dijon Thompson expected as he walked off the court Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion. The senior forward had hoped for a decisive UCLA victory, proof that the team’s quick start in conference play this year meant more than last season’s five-game hoax of a winning streak. Yet instead of affirmation, Thompson, […]
W. soccer: Women’s soccer nabs top Canadian recruit
Canadian soccer prodigy Kara Lang, UCLA’s top recruiting target in this year’s senior class, committed to the Bruins earlier this week, her club team confirmed on Thursday. Securing Lang, who made her debut with the Canadian national team at the age of 15, is a huge coup for UCLA coach Jill Ellis. The 18-year-old attacking […]
M. basketball: Thompson, Farmar get increased playing time
Unnerving as it is to lean on his starting lineup so much, UCLA coach Ben Howland knows he has no choice. Though Howland would like to be able to rest senior Dijon Thompson and freshman Jordan Farmar for 10 minutes per game, he doesn’t have the manpower on his depleted bench to do it. “Jordan […]
M. hoops: Shot to the heart
TUCSON, Ariz. “”mdash; Chief among UCLA coach Ben Howland’s flurry of last-second instructions moments after Arron Afflalo’s game-tying 3-pointer was the importance of marking Arizona sharpshooter Salim Stoudamire tightly on the game’s final possession. “Don’t give him any space,” Howland told Afflalo. “Make him drive.” But those instructions fell on deaf ears. Wary of getting […]
Lavin praises team’s efforts
TUCSON, Ariz. “”mdash; Count former Bruin coach Steve Lavin among the members of the national media who have been impressed with UCLA’s quick start so far in conference play. Lavin, now a college basketball analyst for ABC Sports, called his first UCLA game on Saturday since he was fired after the 2003 season. He said […]