Collison suffers a knee injury

In a matter of two minutes, Kevin Love made two free throws, stepped behind the three-point line and made a 21-footer look as easy as a layup, then scooted under the basket to make a layup too. That seemed a reason for UCLA Coach Ben Howland to smile.

But Howland was downcast after UCLA’s 111-61 exhibition victory over Azusa Pacific on Friday night at Pauley Pavilion in front of 8,211. His point guard, Darren Collison, a junior being mentioned as the best in the country, hurt his left knee early in the rout and will undergo an MRI exam today. Collison left the arena on crutches and with his left knee wrapped but said, “It will be all right.”

Howland said Collison felt something pop on the first or second play. “It was bothering him after the game,” Howland said. “There’s no swelling. Normally with a torn meniscus there’s some swelling.”

Collison played 26 minutes, most on the team, and had 12 points and seven assists. Collison said he felt a twinge when he made a steal to start the game and told Howland the knee began bothering him in the second half.

If Collison has a serious injury, Howland said, “Obviously that’s a huge problem.” Although the Bruins have significant frontcourt depth, there is no clear-cut replacement for Collison.

Howland said he wouldn’t begin to speculate on how he might redo his lineup if Collison needs to sit out a significant time. “I’m not even going to do that, what-ifs, what-ifs,” Howland said.

Collison’s parents, June and Dennis, were brought into the locker room after the game to speak to Collison and UCLA’s doctors and June said afterward, “We don’t even need to speculate until the MRI.”

Collison had reportedly flirted with leaving for the NBA after his sophomore season, and ESPN analyst Jay Bilas had called Collison the best point guard in the country at UCLA’s tipoff dinner this week.

Sophomore Russell Westbrook, who started at the shooting guard spot, said he has practiced at point guard every day in practice. If Collison must sit out, Westbrook said, “It will be all right.”

Love, the most highly acclaimed recruit of Howland’s UCLA coaching career, finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.

“I was very anxious, very hyped up,” Love said afterward. “I’ve been waiting for this moment since I was a little kid, putting on this jersey.”

Love started at center, a position that was occupied by Lorenzo Mata-Real last year. Mata-Real has been gracious about the possibility of starting his senior season on the bench and was the first to stand and applaud when Love scored his first points.

Although Howland had said Collison and junior forwards Josh Shipp and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute were certain starters, he wouldn’t reveal No. 5. It was Westbrook.

Love contested the opening jump ball with Azusa’s 6-10 center, David Burgess, and lost the tip. But after Collison started off with a steal and a dunk and Shipp snapped off a confident three-point basket to give UCLA a quick 5-0 lead, the veterans stepped back and let Love show off.

After the first half, Love was UCLA’s leading scorer (11 points) and rebounder (eight). He would have had at least two assists had Collison not bobbled a perfectly led outlet pass and Alfred Aboya not been fouled hard after receiving a jump pass that Love delivered from the free-throw line.

But the joy of his debut was tempered by the news that Collison might have a serious injury. Howland told Love, Shipp and junior Michael Roll the news as the three players came to a postgame news conference.

“Hopefully it’s nothing serious,” said Shipp, who led UCLA with 20 points.

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diane.pucin@latimes.com