Flair Is There, but So Are Fouls

Freshman point guard Baron Davis’ aggressive play is continuing to result in big defensive moments--and constant foul trouble.

Davis had back-to-back steals and breakaway baskets to start the second half in UCLA’s overtime victory over USC on Wednesday, but also fouled out for the seventh time this season. UCLA is 4-3 in those games.

In seven other games, Davis has reached the four-foul mark, which means he has been in serious foul trouble in 56% of UCLA’s games.

“He doesn’t want to give up his aggressiveness because he knows that’s what makes him special, that’s what distinguishes him from other players in the country,” Bruin Coach Steve Lavin said.

“But, the other side of him knows that for us to be successful, we need him in the game. . . . Once he gets to the point where he has three fouls . . . he has to change in his mind-set from high-risk defensive style of play to more of a contained, conservative style of defensive play so [Davis] can stay in the game.”

Lavin conceded that, as a coach, he has to be careful he doesn’t do anything that causes Davis to lose his on-court intensity.

“It’s hard for me, too, because it’s a fine line,” Lavin said. “No coach ever wants to take the aggressiveness away from a player. Your greatest fear is that you’re going to take a tough aggressive player that we need to be successful and then turn him into a player who’s more passive, who loses that kind of fire and drive.”

*

Bruin senior forward J.R. Henderson appreciated UCLA’s challenge today against No. 2 Duke.

“It’s a big obstacle for us to either leap over or we’ll get smashed by the rock,” Henderson said.

TODAY

at Duke

* 10:30 a.m. PST

* Channel 7

Site--Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, N.C.

Radio--AM 1150.

Records--No. 12 Bruins 20-5, No. 2 Blue Devils 24-2.

Update--UCLA has lost by double digits in its last two trips to this arena, including an 85-66 loss in 1996 to a Duke team that lost 13 games that season. Though Duke boasts an array of versatile offensive talent, its defense is throttling. Opponents have averaged only 57.5 points in 13 games at Cameron. Overall, teams are shooting only 40.9% from the field against Duke. No. 1 North Carolina crunched both teams this season: UCLA by 41 points in November, and Duke by 24 at Chapel Hill on Feb. 5.