Foul-Prone Davis Now Wary of Traps

Freshman point guard Baron Davis says he realizes his persistent foul trouble in UCLA’s two exhibition games has sent him a loud and clear signal: Show some discretion on defense.

Most of Davis’ fouls have come on grabs at the ball in man-to-man matchups and coming over for traps.

“I’m really being aggressive, and I’m reaching, and that’s stuff I got away with in high school,” Davis said. “But I can’t get away with it here, so it’s something I’m adjusting to.”

Bruin Coach Steve Lavin points to former UCLA star Tyus Edney for a point guard of reference.

“I think he has to pick his spots when to be aggressive,” Lavin said of Davis. “He needs to kind of size up his opponent in the first half, like Tyus did a great job of doing. Then in the second half he can get after the guy when he’s figured him out.

“I think he’s learning now that he can’t do that in the first half against [UCLA’s first opponent North] Carolina or in the first game of conference.”