Switch in roles has its points

There was a different look to UCLA guard Malcolm Lee’s game Saturday.

Freed mostly from the chore of being the Bruins’ point guard, Lee had a flow to his game. It was reflected in his 18-point performance in a 70-68 loss to Oregon.

“I think he scores better from that position because he does not have to worry so much about running the team,” Coach Ben Howland said.

Lee made eight of 14 shots. He scored 10 of the Bruins’ last 12 points of the first half to keep a bad situation from becoming worse.

“What I noticed is my mind-set is different when I’m at [shooting guard],” Lee said. “I don’t know why.”

Lee believes he undergoes a personality change when running the team as point guard.

“I think subconsciously I become more passive,” Lee said. “When someone else runs the team, my instincts are better.”

Injury report

Freshman forward Reeves Nelson will undergo an eye examination Wednesday. Nelson suffered a partially torn retina in his left eye against Washington State on Feb. 18 and has missed the last two games.

Senior forward Nikola Dragovic (shoulder, ankle) underwent an X-ray on his ankle Sunday that Howland said showed no fracture. Dragovic has not practiced since Saturday’s game.

The Bruins received good news about freshman Brendan Lane, who has a sprained left ankle. He returned to practice Tuesday.

Tourney jostling

USC will not participate in the Pacific 10 Conference tournament, meaning that only one game will be played March 10 -- between the conference’s ninth- and 10th-place teams.

UCLA needs to win one more game to be assured of skipping the Wednesday night game.

“Wherever we end up really doesn’t matter,” guard Michael Roll said. “We feel we have a good shot against anybody we face.”

Money for nothing

The Bruins have felt the California budget crunch this season. They no longer fly charters on trips or stay in hotels on Fridays between home games. The Bruins have a 1-4 record in Saturday home games in conference play.

“I don’t think that is the whole reason,” Howland said. However, the coach admitted it has changed game preparation.

“We would have an extra walk-through on Friday, which is something we haven’t done this year,” Howland said. “Maybe we have to bring them back to the gym at 9 p.m.”

--

chris.foster@latimes.com

twitter.com/cfosterlatimes