Lavin Tells Fans Not to Boo Hines

UCLA had no complaints about the vocal, capacity crowd Saturday. OK, there was one complaint.

When senior guard Rico Hines hustled from the bench to enter the game in the first half, he was booed. It did not go unnoticed.

“Those people do not understand what Rico means to our team,” Coach Steve Lavin said. “It’s a tough town, we all know that, and I don’t mind them getting on me, but a fifth-year senior, a great example like Rico Hines should be embraced.”

Hines did not score in 11 minutes and has scored only 12 points in 328 minutes this season. But UCLA is 10-1 with him in the starting lineup, he plays sound defense and is a mature leader.

“He’s a lunch-pail guy, a hard-hat guy,” Lavin said. “He’s a captain for a reason.”

Gene Bartow hadn’t been to a UCLA game since the last one he coached in 1977. But there he was, scouting for the Memphis Grizzlies.

“Pauley Pavilion looks exactly the same,” he said. “It brings back wonderful memories.”

Bartow, of course, had the unenviable task of following John Wooden, who won 10 NCAA championships at UCLA. Although the Bruins were 52-9 and won conference titles in his two seasons, Bartow could not add another NCAA championship banner.

UP NEXT

Thursday at Arizona State (10-5, 3-3), 5:30 p.m.--The Bruins resume Pacific 10 play against the Sun Devils, who have four returning starters and are strong on the interior with forward Awvee Storey and center Chad Prewitt.