Color These Bruins Black and Blue

Class dismissed.

UCLA’s test to determine where it really rates among the college basketball elite, as opposed to the No. 10 ranking that was based largely on potential and the eventual return of Baron Davis, ended in a 70-54 loss to No. 5 Maryland on Friday afternoon before about 2,000 fans in the semifinals of the Puerto Rico Shootout. The occasion coincided with the debut of what turned out to be appropriate attire:

Black suits.

The Bruins, whose colors are, and have been, powder blue and gold, went dramatically away from tradition and hit the court in uniforms that were black with gold trim and blue lettering and numbers.

The change was instigated by Coach Steve Lavin, with concurrence by the players. Lavin admired similar uniforms worn by Duke at Pauley Pavilion two seasons ago.

“That was the first time we’d seen it that I thought it looked sharp,” he said. “The players love it.”

If only they had come to the Eugene Guerra Sports Complex to make a bold fashion statement, rather than another kind.

The real intent, of course, had been to make a pronouncement regarding their present-day ability. And that’s what happened, although not the way the Bruins had planned, or at least hoped.

The expected lineup changes were made, with Rico Hines inserted at guard and Matt Barnes moved to forward in Lavin’s desire to go small to counter Maryland’s quick defense. But with them came the expected troubles. UCLA committed 24 turnovers for the second time in a span of about 19 hours, after Thursday night’s victory over San Francisco, leading to 23 Maryland points.

Earl Watson accounted for seven of the turnovers, as opposed to four assists, in 34 minutes. He previously had 10 turnovers and two assists against USF, and five turnovers and five assists in the season opener against Santa Clara.

Three games into the season and the point guard who was supposed to afford a young team its greatest sense of stability until Davis’ return has instead epitomized Bruin youthfulness, piling up mistakes and often appearing out of control. The tournament-tested Watson, who spent considerable time at the same position a year ago, is shooting 40.5%--he was five for 14 against Maryland--and has twice as many turnovers as assists, 22-11.

Still, there were extenuating circumstances Friday. Watson needed 11 stitches near his right elbow Thursday night after the USF victory, which ended about 10 p.m.

Whether Watson is also struggling because of the surroundings--no Davis, few familiar faces from last season--depends on whom you ask.

“He is trying to do so much, trying to lead the team,” Lavin said.

Maybe he’s even forcing things.

“He probably just feels with Baron out an extra weight on his shoulders,” the coach continued. “So he’s probably pressing.”

Said Watson, “I don’t think so. The coaches seem to think so, but I’ve just got to go out and play.”

That hasn’t been easy. Watson, with his stitched elbow, had to play one of the best teams in the nation, a team that had beaten its first five tomato-can opponents by an average of 41.8 points and then coasted to the finish against the Bruins.

That wasn’t even the worst of it. The hospital apparently was.

“It was unbelievable,” Watson said.

A long wait and concern over hospital conditions made him want to go to one of the island’s military installations, but the Bruin medical staff who accompanied him oversaw the procedures. Watson got his shooting arm stitched up, then went back to the team hotel for a few hours of rest before the 2 p.m. tipoff.

“Oh, man,” he said later. “I’m very fortunate to live in the U.S. In the U.S.”

Playing with the elbow partially taped and covered by a blue sleeve, Watson missed all six of his shots in the first half. Still, he removed any doubt as to whether the injury would allow him to blend right back in.

He did. The other Bruins went 41.7% in the same span, and they combined to go one stretch of nearly six minutes and 12 possessions without a basket. They scored seven points in the 11 minutes before the half--and committed 10 turnovers.

Still, they were down only 32-24 at the break, reasonable under the circumstances. But when Maryland opened the second half with a 7-2 run, moving to a 39-26 advantage, UCLA was forced out of its zone in an attempt to cause some turnovers. The bigger Terrapins capitalized on the arrival of the man-to-man defense, pounding the ball inside and pulling away, eventually building a 23-point lead. They shot 56% in those 20 minutes.

Terence Morris made nine of 12 shots and scored 22 points for Maryland. He also had 11 rebounds.

The Bruins got their gauge, all right. Even worse, they get No. 4 Kentucky, upset by Pittsburgh in the other semifinal, tonight in the third-place game. Then they get to go home, probably appearing much different to themselves than when they left.