Struggling Gadzuric Feels the Heat Anew

UCLA center Dan Gadzuric, touted as one of the team’s best players and its only true big man, is coming off a forgettable performance against North Carolina in which he made two of 10 shots from the field and was repeatedly muscled out of position. He didn’t start the game in part because he has been bothered by a sore right hand.

“Dan has a lot of pressure on him right now,” guard Earl Watson said. “He’s got to learn to just play basketball. Eventually, he will. But he’s got to get healthy first. When your hand hurts--and I know--it’s hard to play basketball.”

Gadzuric is averaging 12.8 points a game for the Bruins (4-4), who play Saturday at Purdue.

*

Purdue’s Austin Parkinson, a freshman point guard, has impressed his coaches with his ability to distribute the ball and limit his mistakes. As Carson Cunningham’s backup, Parkinson isn’t playing much, but he’s making the most of his opportunities.

Parkinson has 26 assists in nine games, second to Cunningham’s 48, and he has no problem looking off his own shots for the good of the team. Parkinson has taken only 12 shots this season, making three.

“My job is to run the offense, get the plays set up and get guys in the right spot,” he said recently. “I’ll shoot the shot if I’m open. But most of the time I’m trying to get guys the ball, especially if a guy’s hot.”

Spoken like a true point guard. This should come as no surprise: His father is Bruce Parkinson, Purdue’s all-time assists leader.