Miller Scores 31 Points in Intrasquad Game at UCLA

UCLA’s version of the Four Freshmen made their basketball debut in Pauley Pavilion Thursday night, but it was the old combination of Reggie Miller and Pooh Richardson that controlled the Bruins’ intrasquad scrimmage.

Miller scored 31 points, and Richardson passed out 10 assists to lead the Blue team, composed primarily of last season’s starters, to a 95-67 victory over the Gold team.

UCLA Coach Walt Hazzard said he was generally pleased with the game.

“We have a lot more talent than a year ago,” Hazzard said. “The question is how well we’ll play against the good teams.”

Miller made 11 of 20 shots but only 2 of 7 three-pointers from beyond the stripe that is 19 feet 9 inches away from the goal. Even so, Miller said he doesn’t find the three-pointers difficult.

“I hit a couple of those threes that were layups,” he said. “Those are easy shots.”

Hazzard’s freshmen--Trevor Wilson, Greg Foster, Kevin Walker and Stu Meinert--played their first game, and Wilson made the biggest impression.

A 6-8 power forward from Cleveland High School in Reseda, Wilson played with the first unit as part of the Blue team and had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in 27 minutes.

“He made a lot of things happen,” Hazzard said. “Trevor played within control of his own tempo.”

Miller said Wilson’s play, plus that of the 6-10 Foster and the 6-10 Walker, shows that the Bruins will have better depth this season.

“We’re going to be deep, man,” Miller said. “The freshmen showed me some things I haven’t seen in practice yet. Especially Trevor. I haven’t ever seen all that passing.”

Senior guard Montel Hatcher did not play because of back spasms, but Dave Immel had four assists in his place. Center Jack Haley made only 3 of 12 shots but had 11 rebounds. Craig Jackson had 10 rebounds.

Sophomore Charles Rochelin, a 6-7 1/2 forward, led all rebounders with 13.

The Bruins play an exhibition game at 8 tonight against the Norwegian national team in Pauley.