Hazzard Says UCLA Plays Hard, Not Cheap as Harshman Claims

Walt Hazzard, coach of UCLA’s fifth-place and--according to Washington’s Marv Harshman--cheap-shooting Bruins, held his weekly media breakfast Tuesday to chart new goals and to defend his team from the slings and arrows of outraged coaches.

His new goal for the Bruins? Same as the old one--contention in the Pacific 10, even after four straight losses.

His defense? Read on.

“Marv Harshman’s remarks were interesting. We just try to play hard. We’re trying to play the best we can with what we have. . . . If that’s too tough for him, it’s not going to get any easier as the years progress.

“He said something about cheap shots. We don’t take cheap shots. I don’t teach cheap shots. We just go out and play hard and tough. And we will always play that way. . . .

“We like the fact they’re thinking about it. We come to play. If you beat us, it’s not going to be easy. Basketball is warfare, a clean battle. We knew we were going to have to be over-achievers when we came into this. Nothing has changed. . . .

“How can we intimidate somebody with our little bodies? I guess Reggie (Miller, his 173-pound forward) is awesome when he flexes. He’s a good example of ‘before.’ ”

And here’s Hazzard on a variety of subjects, including senior forward and team captain Gary Maloncon, whose production and playing time have plummeted all the way to the six minutes he was allowed to play at Washington:

“Some things have happened as far as Gary is concerned. He knows what they are. He realizes the importance of some of the things he has to improve on.”

On experimenting with little-used freshman Kelvin Butler at big forward:

“I was trying to get some production from that position. At that position last Saturday, I think we had two rebounds and one field goal. And six turnovers . . . Craig Jackson does an excellent job at the defensive end, but at the offensive end he’s tight as a drum. He’s not making shots and turning the ball over (four times in his 10 minutes Saturday). I just don’t want to break him down this year. I think he has a bright future in our program.”

On the possibility of a lineup change Saturday night against Arizona State:

“Could be. Lose four in a row and something has to change.”

On the possibility of accepting an NIT bid, should one be offered, after the administration turned down last year’s:

“There would have to be some discussion between the coaching staff and the administration. I’d love to be involved in post-season play. That’s my own personal feeling. It’s good for the program, it’s good for recruiting. It does a lot of things for you.”