Lavin Likes Team’s Future

He coached UCLA for seven seasons and in all but the last of those, won more than 20 games and a berth in the NCAA tournament. So Steve Lavin should know a good Bruin team when he sees one.

And this season’s squad is a good one, he said. But, he added, probably not good enough offensively to add another championship banner to Pauley Pavilion.

Lavin, who worked the UCLA-Washington game Saturday as an analyst for ABC, was able to get an up-close look at the Bruins.

“I love what they are doing defensively,” he said. “This is a dangerous team. Losing Josh Shipp [hip injury] was a devastating blow, but it’s not unrealistic to think this team can get to the Elite Eight. The only question I have is about their offensive production. Is 67 points a game productive enough? Usually teams that make the Final Four score in the high 70s or the 80s.”

Center Ryan Hollins, who is back after sitting out six games because of a strained groin, is a key to the Bruins’ success, according to Lavin, who coached Hollins in his freshman season.

“He is a 7-footer who can run the floor, shoot and has the ability to block shots,” Lavin said. “That makes him a real asset. He’s critical for the tournament because of the experience he brings to the postseason.

“The next step for this team is to win the Pac-10 tournament. That would build momentum for the NCAA tournament. It’s the next step in maintaining respect for the UCLA program, which I know all about better than anybody,” Lavin said.

“The steps they take this year will lead to success next season. I think that, next year, they will be capable of cutting down the nets, of winning the championship.”

*

Fifty-four fouls were called in the UCLA-Washington game, 27 against each team. That was the highest total in any Division I game played Saturday, according to Bruin Coach Ben Howland.

UCLA forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute played only three minutes in the first half because of foul trouble against the Huskies.

“It was really crazy,” he said. “Every time I tried to do something, they called a foul. You realize you just have to play a little softer.”