Motivation Gets Credit

Dumping the full-court press for a matchup zone was a factor. Jason Kapono becoming more comfortable at point guard helped. The resurgence of Matt Barnes played a role.

But motivation was the major difference between the UCLA team that defeated No. 16 Alabama by 22 points and the team that struggled against winless UC Riverside and lost to Pepperdine.

“The attitude changed,” guard Billy Knight said. “At practice the day before the game, Coach [Steve Lavin] really got into the team, said we have to start playing with passion.

“That speech helped everybody a lot. We had to get rid of the selfish play. It was a wake-up motivational speech.”

* Who says there isn’t a point guard on the UCLA campus?

Earl Watson hung out at the Morgan Center on Tuesday, shaking hands and exchanging hugs with everyone from Athletic Director Pete Dalis to football player Audie Attar.

Watson, a Bruin starter the last four years, is a reserve guard for the Seattle SuperSonics, who were in town to play the Lakers.

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Because this is finals week, UCLA has a week off between games and is practicing at 6 a.m.

“I’d rather be playing a game during the week,” Knight said. “We’re starting to click and get some cohesiveness. Practice helps, but right now we need games.”

The Bruins face UC Irvine at home Saturday at 1 p.m. and begin Pacific 10 Conference play with a two-game trip, Dec. 20 at Washington and Dec. 22 at Washington State.