Bumpy Ride Doesn’t Distract These Seniors

The careers of Bruin seniors Jason Kapono and Ray Young have been roller coaster rides, so watching the latest twists and turns from the sideline doesn’t bother them.

That’s what they say publicly, anyway. Coach Steve Lavin benched Kapono and Young the last 13 minutes of the 35-point loss to Arizona, raising eyebrows but not the ire of the players.

“It’s up to Coach,” Young said. “You just deal with it. All I can control is how I play when I’m in the game.”

There is room for improvement.

Young, who is averaging 6.1 points, was scoreless in the last two games, missing 10 shots.

He has made one of 17 shots from the field in the last three games.

“We’re going to make the best of the remaining games and move on,” he said.

Kapono’s average of 16.7 points is slightly higher than his career average of 16.4, but he scored four points against Arizona and has shot better than 50% in only two games.

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It’s a symptom of a passive offense -- UCLA doesn’t shoot many free throws.

The Bruins have made 164 of 234 (70.1%), while their opponents have made 233 of 354 (65.8%).

“That says we are settling for too many perimeter shots and not working the ball inside,” Lavin said.

Center T.J. Cummings and Kapono are excellent free throw shooters who don’t get to the line often. Cummings has made 33 of 38 (86.8%) and Kapono has made 37 of 42 (88.1%).

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Lavin said that despite four consecutive losses, the Bruins are holding up mentally.

“This is the best group I’ve worked with, in terms of coming to practice with a great attitude,” he said. “Kids are resilient. Obviously, it is a discouraging, frustrating season for us.

“But if you are going to struggle, this is the kind of team you enjoy struggling with.”