Senior Miscues Proving Costly

Adding to UCLA’s growing pile of problems are the turnovers committed by seniors Matt Barnes and Billy Knight.

Barnes had nine in two games this week to give him a team-high 68 and Knight had five to rank him second with 54. Barnes had six turnovers in three consecutive games before cutting down to three in the 69-68 loss to Arizona State on Saturday.

Barnes, a forward, also is the team assist leader with 82, a product of his strong arm and ability to find leading scorer Jason Kapono on the perimeter.

But like a pitcher who believes he can blow his fastball past any hitter, he sometimes throws reckless passes.

Both players also turn the ball over when they hold it too long. Knight, a guard, is an excellent spot-up shooter and Barnes has a variety of offensive moves, but they are prone to having the ball stripped because neither is blessed with quick hands.

“I know I have to cut down on turnovers,” Barnes said. “I’m looking to create opportunities for my teammates and sometimes make passes I shouldn’t.”

Against Arizona State, UCLA had 18 turnovers and the Sun Devils had nine.

Knight had one understandable turnover, traveling with one second left while trying to launch a desperation pass. But he also had the ball stripped twice and made a poor pass.

“We’ve got to take care of the ball, myself included,” he said. “In a game with a slower pace like [against Arizona State], every possession counts.”

*

Kapono’s three three-point baskets against Arizona State give him 74, fourth on the all-time Bruin single-season list.

The junior forward already holds the two top spots with totals of 84 and 82 the last two seasons. Tracy Murray is third with 78 in 1992, so Kapono is almost assured of owning the three highest totals.

Kapono’s 240 career three-pointers is 43 more than second-place Murray, and climbing.

He also is the most accurate long-range shooter, having made 46.7%.

On UCLA’s all-time scoring list, Kapono ranks 16th with 1,520.

Steve Henson