Watson Expects Nothing Less From Fans

The Bruins couldn’t help but notice. In the waning moments of Saturday’s game, when it became clear UCLA had no miracle comebacks left, fans started streaming for the exits. In a matter of minutes, things looked pretty sparse at sold-out Pauley Pavilion.

“As a player you definitely pay attention to that,” point guard Earl Watson said. “But you can’t ask for too much in L.A. They showed up to the game, so if they were going to leave early, they were going to leave early whether it was a win or a loss. I’ve been here four years and I realize that.”

Watson grew up in Kansas where, he said, fans have a completely different mentality toward their sports.

“Exhibition games were sold out for Kansas basketball,” he said. “Kansas has no professional teams, so KU basketball is like their pro team.”

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North Carolina center Brendan Haywood got quite a ribbing from the crowd when he missed six consecutive free throws during a three-minute stretch early in the second half.

“The stripe can be my enemy or my friend,” said Haywood, who came into the game shooting 57.7% from the line. “For five minutes, it was my enemy.”

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Tar Heel forward Jason Capel played airtight defense on Bruin sophomore Jason Kapono, who finished with 12 points on four-for-13 shooting.

“I took it personally,” Capel said of the assignment. “I wanted to guard Kapono. He’s a great player and a great shooter. When I was on him, I didn’t worry about anyone else.”

Reminded that Kapono probably will wind up in the pros, Capel said: “I think I’m an NBA player too.”