Redshirt Likely for Recovering Hines

With 16 games remaining, the window of opportunity is closing fast for injured guard Rico Hines, a true senior who underwent knee surgery Nov. 1 and has yet to fully recuperate.

He plans to participate in full-speed drills for the first time this week, then make a decision about whether he will come back this season.

At the moment, he’s leaning toward redshirting, especially because he has to serve a two-game suspension once he’s ready to play. He was penalized for fighting with teammate Matt Barnes before the season.

“We’ll see how it goes, but it looks like I’m going to redshirt,” Hines said.

“Because we’re playing real good basketball right now. It’s already so deep into the season. I’ve got to get my rhythm and timing back; it would be real tough. So I’ve got to do what’s best for myself.”

Hines struggled with injuries his sophomore and junior seasons too, playing through the pain of a broken foot and toe.

He played in 29 games last season, and averaged 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds.

“I wasn’t really 100% when I came back and I didn’t play up to my potential,” he said. “It was kind of frustrating. Coach [Steve Lavin] and I have talked about it, and he wants me to have a full year of being healthy.”

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Point guard Earl Watson says the Bruins are fiercely protective of their home court, even though they don’t always play that way. Maybe that’s why Watson had such a strong reaction when Villanova point guard Jermaine Medley swore at him before the game.

“I thought he wanted to fight me,” Watson said. “I looked back to make sure. Because I’m not going to run from anyone. This is Pauley Pavilion. If you’re coming that far, you’ve got a lot of confidence. . . . He challenged me, and I brought my team.

“He just brought himself. He had to realize there’s more than just one person on the court.”

Watson was asked if he could have been dragged into such a confrontation when he was younger.

“Probably,” he said. “I probably could. And then I would have lost my focus the whole game.

“Especially my freshman year. [Former Arizona guard] Jason Terry and I used to go at each other the whole game. Now, we’re really, really good friends.”