Lavin Tries Giving Team an Early Wake-Up Call

The Bruins might be groggy for today’s 5:30 a.m. practice, but they won’t have the luxury of sleepwalking. They will participate in a full-fledged scrimmage, complete with a running clock and Pacific 10 Conference referees.

“We’ll videotape it and put on our uniforms, try to get some of the benefits of game-like conditions,” said Coach Steve Lavin, who adjusted the practice schedule this week so as not to conflict with final exams.

The players could benefit from a little extra time with conference officials, who are making an effort to crack down on rough play. Through five games, the Bruins have been whistled for fouls 107 times--13 more fouls than at this point last season.

Overall, there have been 922 fouls called against Pac-10 teams, 68 more than a year ago, but only one more player has fouled out.

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Rico Hines, who underwent knee surgery Nov. 1, will be sidelined at least two more weeks, a team official said. On top of that, Hines will serve a two-game suspension stemming from his chair-swinging fight with teammate Matt Barnes.

That incident notwithstanding, Lavin has praised Hines for his leadership skills and said his influence is missed on the court.

“Definitely, if he was playing, his impact would be felt to a higher degree,” Lavin said. “But because he wants to coach, he’s similar to a Cameron Dollar, a Sean Farnham, some of the other kids we’ve had in the program over the years who kind of understand the game.”