While Hollins Plays, Fey Must Wait

Freshman Ryan Hollins is getting valuable on-the-job training at center, averaging 25 minutes the last seven games. But Michael Fey, another freshman expected to become a solid post presence in the future, is languishing on the bench.

Fey is averaging only 5.8 minutes in Pacific 10 Conference games, and has gotten most of his playing time late in blowouts. He has made five of his last six shots but appears lost much of the time, especially on defense.

“He’s getting discouraged,” Coach Steve Lavin said. “When something doesn’t go well, he’s hard on himself.”

It qualifies only as a quirky statistic, but UCLA is 2-1 with Fey in the starting lineup. He started in nonconference victories over Long Beach State and Portland, and in a loss to Northern Arizona.

Lavin believes Hollins and Fey eventually will become a dominant one-two punch, although with his job in serious jeopardy, he admits the payoff probably will benefit a coach other than himself.

“I think those two will be bookends of our program for the future,” Lavin said. “I’ll enjoy watching them from my couch or some faraway city. Nobody else in the conference has two [freshman] seven-footers.

“Fey has a good feel for the game, a good skill set. Ryan attacks the rim, is more raw. His aggressiveness has enabled him to contribute sooner.”

-- Steve Henson