Watson Doubtful for Thursday’s Game

Point guard Earl Watson is listed as doubtful for Thursday’s game against Oregon State because of a bruised right hip, although he has beaten those odds before in keeping alive his streak of 112 consecutive starts. X-rays on Watson’s lower back Monday proved negative, but he did not practice.

The way some Bruins see it, things might have gone much differently in Arizona had Watson not missed the final 18:37 because of back problems. He wasn’t doing much on offense, but his quickness was missed on defense in the second half.

“[The Wildcats] were getting opportunity baskets--dunks, fastbreaks, energy plays,” UCLA assistant coach Michael Holton said. “I think our team’s at a point in the season where we can respond to that, and have. But we couldn’t do it without Earl. That’s where his leadership would have stabilized us to some extent.” If Watson is unavailable, Ryan Bailey will start in his place.

“I’m ready to step up if I have to, but we’re going to need Earl,” Bailey said. “It’s going to be hard to win without him because he’s such a great player. But if I have to go, I will.”

X-rays taken Monday of forward Matt Barnes’ right foot revealed no damage. Doctors have diagnosed his injury as a muscle strain, and he was able to practice.

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UCLA is 18th in the latest RPI rankings. Stanford is ranked No. 1, Arizona is ninth and USC 30th.