UCLA Rallies To Top Colorado State
By Bruin Basketball Report
The Bruins struggled against Colorado State but then pulled away in the final six minutes to win 75-63 at Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA's offense struggled against Colorado State's 2-3 zone and had problems keeping the opponent off the glass, and went into halftime tied 34-34 against the underdog Rams.
In the second half Colorado State moved out to its largest lead of 8 points with just under twelve minutes to play.
But then the Bruins rallied with the struggling Jerime Anderson making some plays down the stretch, breaking down the defense and finding either Reeves Nelson or Nikola Dragovic for easy lay-ups.
In past games Anderson's indecisiveness has cost the Bruins valuable possessions, but at least in the in the second half of this game he came through.
Anderson, perhaps inspired by the presence of JC Transfer Lazeric Jones in the audience, finished 4 of 5 from the field for 12 points and 7 assists. Lazeric Jones has reportedly been offered a scholarship by Ben Howland and is considering a transfer to UCLA.
Nikola Dragovic led UCLA with 17 points as five Bruins finished in double figures. Nelson added 15 points and 6 rebounds and Malcolm Lee had 16 points and 7 rebounds as UCLA improved its overall record to 4-7.
Michael Roll finished with 11 points including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Roll has been battling the flu.
UCLA faces Deleware State this Sunday at Pauley Pavilion before opening Pac-10 conference play next week against the Arizona schools.
BBR :: Article Link :: 2:46 PM ::
9 comments
9 Comments:
Drago scored 17 points. That's a shame. He will still get minutes. When is Howland going to wake up and teach them how to attack a zone with interior passing? What are they doing in practice?
Pac 10 Conference play is coming up. Is Jones going to be eligible to play right away?
Lets see what happens.
"Lazeric Jones has reportedly been offered a scholarship by Ben Howland and is considering a transfer to UCLA." Does this mean he could play this season or does he need to wait until next season?
Dragovic's effort in the first half was disgusting. Did anyone else see the play when the Bruin's were on offense and the ball rolled away from the right side of the basket and Dragovic just watched it? Everyone around me was furious. I really can't believe that Dragovic still gets to play as much as he does. The only reason he got 17 points is because he started playing center and camping out under the hoop in the second half. Drago could never get by doing that to a decent opponent.
Why is this kid; who puts in nbo effort getting so much prime time minutes? The guy is shooting under 30% for the year, plays no defence and just parks on the 3 point line and fires away. Dragovic's attitude and body language is a cancer on this team and Howland needs to give the young guns a chance to shine. This year is a right off. If Jones is coming in this year, it might bring much needed hunger on a team that's starving for leadership and character. When is Howland going to take control of this team. Would Huggins tolerate the lack of effort; take a look at how West Virginia today. They are a legitimate final four team in a very tough Big East Conference. A team takes on the personality of the coach and I dont see much fire in Howland. He will see zone all year; when is he going to teach them an offence where he can attack a zone on the interior.
Michael Roll is the heart and soul of that team and the kid plays hard and should be an example for everyone else who simply puts on that jersey and has an attitude of entitlement. Nelson is a keeper and give Lee credit; he could have easily folded under the scrutiny he gets as the UCLA point guard.
To answer everyone's questions about Dragovic: I am pretty sure that the Serbian mafia "had a talk" with Coach Howland. There is no other plausible reason why this guy is still playing so much.
Lazeric Jones please sign with UCLA!!! You will be starting soon and we need your talent ASAP. I hate bad talking Anderson because he comes ready to play, shows hustle, and seems to give it his all. The problem is that he just doesn't have the talent or skill set to get a D-1 team to the Big Dance and beyond. Mustafa is a much better choice at the 1 than Anderson is right now. Mustafa has improved greatly between previous years and this year. He needs and deserves more minutes. Bring on Jones and I think we will have a good chance of finishing top 3 in a watered down PAC 10 this year. Go Bruins!!!
Let's give Ben some credit for developing this team. There were times in the last game when we had three freshmen playing in the front court: Nelson, Honeycutt and Lane. I found that very exciting and encouraging. Ben has been grooming then and they are proving that they are improving. And watch Lane become a terrific player. His offense is still tentative, but he appears to have the quickness at 6'10" to guard people on the outside. And when he gets stronger inside and starts popping from the outside ... well, I predict great things.
Ms. Santa Claus and BH's staff, all I want for Xmas is a piece of paper with Lazeric's signature. The kid needs to jump on this opportunity to be the starting point guard at U-C-L-A!!
DO IT LAZERIC...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?????????????????????????????????
Guys as much as I would like to see Lazeric Jones come to Westwood, I thiink from what I have been able to dig up so far is that he would be eligible with the 2010 class not this year. I think we have to make things work with what we already have for this year.
For all the Drago bashing I have seen on here I can empathize with all of you, but I really don't see a better option for this year. Unless Tyler can become an offensive terror within the next 2 or 3 games, I think Drago needs to stay in the mix...
Maybe we can have the Serbian mafia stiff arm the refs a little bit! ;)
One game at a time. Coach Howland is the best.
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