Lavin: Check Back in a Month

Despite the blizzard of Arizona points that led to UCLA blowing a 20-point lead and losing by 10 on Saturday, Coach Steve Lavin’s forecast for the Bruins is sunny.

“I am as encouraged and upbeat about my team as I have been in my tenure,” he said.

Lavin pointed to the improved play of freshman point guards Cedric Bozeman and Ryan Walcott, which, in turn, has enabled Jason Kapono and Matt Barnes to return to their natural positions.

He likes the improvement in seniors Billy Knight and Barnes, who have become consistent and prolific scorers. He believes center Dan Gadzuric is playing well, despite chronic foul trouble.

“It’s pretty exciting as far as looking into the crystal ball and predicting what we will be like four weeks from now,” he said.

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With the meat of the Pacific 10 Conference schedule looming, Lavin plans to give generous playing time to his four freshmen, including guard Dijon Thompson and forward Andre Patterson in addition to the point guards.

Freshmen throughout the conference are making strong contributions and Lavin said their growth is a result of their coaches exhibiting patience.

“I’ve watched [Stanford Coach] Mike Montgomery and [Arizona Coach] Lute Olson and how they stuck with young guys through 20-point deficits early in the season,” Lavin said. “Then they start doing things to help you win.”

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Rico Hines, who missed the last two games because of a concussion, has been cleared to play in Thursday’s game against Stanford.

Hines did not practice Tuesday, and neither did two teammates.

Thompson has a sprained right foot and is wearing a walking boot, and Gadzuric has flu. Both are expected to play.

Steve Henson