Defense Is a Priority for Fastbreaks

The UCLA players want to run.

“Instead of us adjusting to other teams, our goal is to get teams to adjust to us,” guard Earl Watson said. “We want to create tempo.”

The UCLA coaches are happy to oblige, provided the players show as much enthusiasm for defense as they do for offense. The coaches worked doggedly on defense during practice last week, stressing in part that defensive positioning requires body movement, not flailing at a guy dribbling past you.

“For us to run, we need to get a series of defensive stops that allow you to fastbreak,” Coach Steve Lavin said. “When you go on a 15-2 or 12-0 run, you’ve gotten five or six stops at the other end of the floor. That leads to easy transition baskets. Good defense sparks that offense.”