It’s Time for Bruins to Get Defensive

Heading into tonight’s game against second-place Stanford, the Bruin players conceded that their defense, which looked unorganized and at times lackadaisical during last weekend’s trip to Oregon, is in need of immediate repair.

The problem, said senior guard Toby Bailey, is maintaining a sustained effort, and not the match-up zone that Coach Steve Lavin has favored of late.

“We know defense is what we’re lacking right now,” Bailey said. “For us, it’s not so much about Xs and O’s and who’s guarding who. Because, when we play with a lot of effort, that’s when we win.

“We can’t go out there and play street ball. But when we’re playing hard on defense, the offense comes.”

TONIGHT vs. Stanford

* 7:30

* Fox Sports West

Site--Pauley Pavilion.

Radio--AM 1150.

Records--Bruins 18-4, 8-3; Cardinal 19-3, 8-2.

Update--Tonight’s winner becomes the only team with a chance of stopping Arizona’s march to the Pac-10 title. Bruin point guard Baron Davis returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out two days because of a respiratory problem.