Barnes Goes to Great Lengths to Improve

Forward Matt Barnes has added an unexpected dimension to his game, making eight of 18 three-point attempts this season, including three Saturday against Georgetown.

Unexpected to everyone but his teammates, who watched the 6-foot-7 senior sink hundreds of long jump shots during summer workouts.

Barnes made only three of 25 from three-point range last season and five of 32 in 1999-2000.

“I’ve always been able to do it, but I needed to be able to do it in the games,” he said. “I shot all day, every day, during the summer.”

Coach Steve Lavin doesn’t mind Barnes launching from behind the arc, as long as he does so within the flow of the offense.

“We don’t want to become a one-pass, jack-the-long-three team, but when he’s open Matt can make the shot,” Lavin said. “When teams sag on [center Dan Gadzuric] with two defenders, that can leave Matt open. And if he hits the shot, they have to adjust.”

That was the case against Georgetown, when Barnes made two three-pointers in the first few minutes and the Bruins built a 20-point first-half lead en route to a 98-91 victory.

Cedric Bozeman is expected to play eight to 10 minutes Friday against Washington, his first playing time since having knee surgery Dec. 3.

Although UCLA is 7-0 without the freshman point guard, Lavin is anxious to get him back on the floor.

“He had good practices [Tuesday and Wednesday] and I’m very encouraged by his play,” Lavin said. “He’s very sharp.”

Bozeman, who started the first four games, will come off the bench.

“I’m very anxious, practice is going good and I’m trying to fit in with these fellows,” Bozeman said. “I’m in good condition and I’m ready to test my knee.”

Michael Fey, the freshman center from Olympia, Wash., who has struggled to gain eligibility, expects to receive his ACT score this weekend in a last-ditch effort to join the team before the winter quarter begins Monday

Fey took the ACT and SAT in November. He did not receive a qualifying score in the SAT, and the testing service has yet to comply with his request to have the test scored by hand.