Bailey Gets a Passing Grade

Toby Bailey’s season-high 11-assist performance in UCLA’s 105-94 victory over Washington on Saturday continued a logical pattern: The Bruin offense picks up when Bailey is passing the ball well.

In the eight games in which Bailey has five assists or more this season, the Bruins have scored more, shot better and gone 8-0.

In those eight games, UCLA has averaged 85.2 points and shot 53.1%. In the other 12, UCLA is 9-3, has averaged three fewer points and has shot 49.5%.

Bailey is averaging 4.2 assists this season, second on the team behind Baron Davis’ 5.2.

“We know how many [assists] he drops and how good a passer he is,” senior Kris Johnson said of Bailey. “People think, ‘Oh, he can get up there.’ But he draws defenders and hangs up there, and he can just flick it to you for an easy lay-up.

“He’s got great court sense. I think that’s what people overlook about Toby. He’s got some of the best court vision in the nation.”