UCLA’s Nikola Dragovic starts and a Darren Collison streak ends

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At least one question lingers after UCLA’s victory over USC: Who will play the power forward spot?

Nikola Dragovic got his first start of the season on Sunday night, an unannounced replacement for usual starter James Keefe. Coach Ben Howland informed Dragovic the morning of the game, adjusting the game plan for the Trojans.

‘I was concerned they would go to the triangle-and-two [defense],’ Howland said. ‘And I think he’s a better matchup for us offensively when he was in there.’

Point guard Darren Collison called Dragovic ‘our X factor’ after the Serbia native made four of 13 shots for 14 points, including several key baskets down the stretch. So what happens from here? Howland wasn’t exactly clear.

‘Until otherwise noted,’ the coach said, ‘we’ll see how it goes.’

There was another small surprise during UCLA’s 64-60 victory. When Collison missed from the foul line early in the second half, it ended a school-record stretch of 43 consecutive free throws. He missed another one late to finish five of seven.

‘I really do need to work on my free-throw shooting,’ he said. ‘I’m so mad.’

-- David Wharton