Watson Considers Taking a Break

After committing eight turnovers in Saturday’s 72-67 loss to Georgia Tech, UCLA point guard Earl Watson said he is considering whether to ask out of the Bruin lineup. He is playing with a torn tendon in his right little finger, and the combination of increasing pain and ineffectiveness troubles him greatly.

“It’s hard to feel the ball,” Watson said. “That’s no excuse. I chose to play. But I have to ask if I am hurting my team because I’m playing hurt. I’m turning the ball over too much.”

Watson suffered the injury in practice Nov. 6, three days before the Bruins opened their season against Kansas. Watson had 41 points, 17 assists and three turnovers on consecutive nights against Kansas and Kentucky, so playing with the finger in a protective splint appeared to pose no problems.

In the three subsequent games--against Cal State Northridge, UC Santa Barbara and Georgia Tech--Watson has 39 points, 18 assists and 18 turnovers. His eight turnovers Saturday were his most in 51 games.

Watson said he was “too emotional” after the game to decide immediately whether to sit out next Saturday’s game against Hawaii and, perhaps, the Dec. 16 game against UC Irvine. That could allow for almost three weeks of healing before the Dec. 23 game against North Carolina.

The senior has started every game of his UCLA career, 102 and counting. Coach Steve Lavin said he expected Watson to remain in the starting lineup.

“I don’t think the injury is to the point where it’s going to prevent him from playing,” Lavin said, “so it doesn’t make sense not to start him.”

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If Watson does not play, Ryan Bailey would likely start at point guard, with Jason Flowers backing him up. Bailey played a season-high 14 minutes Saturday, mostly at the expense of forwards Matt Barnes and T.J. Cummings, who were a combined three for 13 from the field.

With the Bruin shooters struggling mightily, Lavin said he hoped Bailey could pass and allow Watson to concentrate on shooting. Also, Bailey is among the best Bruins at penetrating the 2-3 zone, the defense Georgia Tech featured. Bailey missed both of his shots and committed three fouls, but he had one assist, one steal and no turnovers.

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Jason Kapono could not emerge from his shooting funk. After shooting 52% as a freshman last season and 50% in the first two games this season, he is shooting 29% in the past three games. He missed eight of 10 shots Saturday.

He did, however, make all 12 free throws and has made all 28 this season. Henry Bibby owns the school record for consecutive free throws made, 36 in 1972.

UP NEXT

* Saturday vs. Hawaii, Pauley Pavilion, 5:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net--Everyone loves to visit Hawaii, so this is the only nonconference road game for the Rainbows. Hawaii (1-2) has lost to Louisville and San Diego and defeated Southeastern Louisiana.