COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY REPORT : UCLA : Scout: Fans Should Support Harrick

What’s wrong with UCLA basketball?

Roger Newell has listened to critics hammer Jim Harrick for years and he’s convinced there’s nothing wrong with the Midwest Regional-bound Bruins that couldn’t be cured by a little less criticism and a lot more support.

Newell, who runs a college scouting service for the Lakers and seven other NBA teams, has provided the same service for UCLA for seven years, the last three without charge.

Newell, son of former California Coach Pete Newell, said he continues unpaid at UCLA because of his respect for Harrick, something that he said is wrongly slipping in many circles.

“Why is it that when we lose a few games that the head basketball coach can’t work here?” Newell said. “We just have to figure out a way to have a better perception of what they have here.”

The Bruins (21-6), seeded fifth in the Midwest, begin NCAA tournament play Friday against 12th-seeded Tulsa (21-7).

Newell said the UCLA administration hasn’t given Harrick enough support, notably Chancellor Charles Young and Athletic Director Pete Dalis.

“To this day, I can’t recall ever reading a statement from either one of them saying, ‘Jim Harrick is my coach,’ ” Newell said. “It’s just as wrong to compare Jim Harrick with John Wooden as it is to compare Pete Dalis with J.D. Morgan.”

Newell said one of Harrick’s most severe critics, Bill Walton, is unfair in his comments.

“It’s getting personal and that’s what really offends me,” Newell said. “In order to make a name for himself, he has to be controversial.”

Walton suggested that Newell go back and listen to his taped comments.

“My only question is, what have I said that’s not true?” Walton said. “I don’t think I need to make a name for myself. I only say things I believe in and I’ve always done that.

“There will always be a certain group of people in basketball who don’t like me. That group is headed by losing coaches.”