Barnes Trying to Find Flow

He’s the key to the press, an enforcer on the boards and can score inside.

And this is supposed to be the season he piques the interest of NBA scouts.

But after five games, UCLA senior forward Matt Barnes is frustrated. He has a sore ankle, he’s not playing to his potential, and in his mind, he’s not getting enough minutes.

Barnes averaged only 18 minutes--16 in a loss to Pepperdine--before playing 26 in the Bruins’ 65-50 victory over UC Riverside on Wednesday.

“It hasn’t worked out the way I thought,” he said. “I was really disappointed I didn’t play more against Pepperdine. I haven’t been able to get into a flow.

“That’s the most important thing about an effective press, getting into a flow. It’s important to my game.”

Barnes is averaging 8.4 points and 6.3 rebounds, but has gone long stretches without touching the ball. He also has been in early foul trouble, which has cut into his playing time.

Making excuses is not Barnes’ style. He looks bulkier but says he has added only five pounds. And he insists the sprained ankle affected him only during UCLA’s second game, a loss to Ball State at the Maui Invitational.

However, teammate Rico Hines was shocked to see Barnes practicing this week with a brace, as well as tape, on the ankle.

“He said it’s a little weak, not 100%,” Hines said. “I didn’t know he wore all that stuff. It’s got to be tough to move full speed.

“But Matt has been practicing well. This week was the best I’ve seen in a long time out of Matt. He can be a monster in that press and it showed in practice.”

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UCLA forced Riverside into 20 turnovers, several as a result of the full-court press, but the Bruins still have a horrendous turnover margin of minus-35.

They had 18 turnovers against the Highlanders, which is too many, but it was the first time UCLA has been in the plus column all season.

“If we are pressing less and aren’t forcing turnovers, we have to take better care of the basketball,” Coach Steve Lavin said.

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Like UCLA, No. 16 Alabama opened the season with four returning starters and a freshman point guard.

But while Bruin freshman Cedric Bozeman is recuperating from knee surgery, the Crimson Tide (6-1) has jelled quickly with Mo Williams at the point, having won its last four. The starters average 9.3-16 points.

Post players Erwin Dudley and Kenny Walker, and guards Rod Grizzard and Terrance Meade are all juniors and three-year starters.

“My first year, I decided to sign high school players and play them from Day 1,” Coach Mark Gottfried said. “Now those guys are maturing and hopefully we will reap the benefits.”