Lavin’s Plan Is a Winner

As much as the legions of Steve Lavin bashers don’t want to believe it, UCLA upset No. 1 Kansas primarily because of a sound game plan.

Jayhawk Coach Roy Williams may appear more distinguished, intellectual and substantial, but he was outcoached by the slick-haired 37-year-old.

UCLA employed a zone press that disrupted the Kansas offense, which is based on getting the ball to the frontcourt quickly, spacing three guards above the free-throw line and either getting the ball inside to a post player or kicking it out for an open perimeter jumper.

But the Bruins impeded the Jayhawks’ ability to get the ball into the frontcourt. Senior guard Kirk Hinrich and freshman guard Aaron Miles struggled against the press, each contributing five turnovers to Kansas’ total of 21.

UCLA made six steals--including two each by Dijon Thompson and Jason Kapono--and forced numerous bad passes. Matt Barnes also played a big role in the press.

The senior forward scored 27 points, but his defense was just as important. He double-teamed the guard bringing the ball upcourt, slowing the Jayhawk attack and forcing them to fall back into a motion offense.

But because Dan Gadzuric and Andre Patterson were sealing off the interior, Kansas had little choice but to launch three-point attempts, often just beating the shot clock.

Only Hinrich was successful--he made five of six from behind the arc. His teammates were a combined six for 22.

The result: Kansas was held to 77 points--nearly 16 below its average.

“We played with great energy on defense, it was maybe our best defensive game yet,” Gadzuric said. “It didn’t seem like they could get many good shots.”

Another Lavin move was to leave only one player to try for offensive rebounds and get everyone else back on defense to thwart the Jayhawks’ fast break. Again, this resulted in Kansas having to slow the tempo, make extra passes and settle for three-point attempts.

So while Kansas did get 14 offensive rebounds, UCLA won the overall rebounding battle, 34-32. And, of course, the game.

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Barnes’ shooting has improved in every area. In his first three seasons he shot 46.8% from the field, 19.8% from three-point range and 54% from the free-throw line.

This season he is at 54.3% from the field, 50% from three-point range and 66.1% on free throws.

His scoring average has improved each year, from 3.9 to 5.6 to 11.6 to 14.0.

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Dodger Manager Jim Tracy attended the game and fulfilled a lifelong dream by chatting with 91-year-old John Wooden beforehand.

“I wanted to meet the Wizard,” Tracy said. “Growing up in Ohio, I followed so many of those championship teams. Spending a few minutes with him was an incredible thrill.”

Tracy invited Wooden to visit him at Dodger Stadium during baseball season.

Steve Henson