Friday, March 13, 1998
Seniors hope to avoid another early loss
M. BASKETBALL: With memories of Princeton game in their heads,
Bruins look to beat Miami Hurricanes
By Emmanuelle Ejercito
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The sixth-seeded UCLA men’s basketball team will travel to the
Georgia Dome in Atlanta, hoping that they won’t be blown away by a
hurricane in the first round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
Though the Bruins (22-8) are considered the favorite in their
South region match-up against the 11th-seeded University of Miami,
UCLA is well aware of the potential for upsets, especially members
of the senior class who had to endure the first-round loss to
underdog Princeton in 1996.
"The game that we lost to Princeton, I think that we weren’t
into the game at all. I think that we were badly prepared for that
game," senior J.R. Henderson said. "We took them lightly, thought
it was going to be a breeze, then all of a sudden it’s an
upset.
"I think our team is very prepared this time, we know that there
aren’t going to be any easy games, so we just have to play hard and
play every game like it is our last one."
And that is what they have done in their past two and a half
games. UCLA has shown increased intensity and has played with high
energy on both ends of the floor. Despite the fact that their
record during those three games was 1-2, in the two losses (one to
Washington by one point and the other to Arizona by four) the
Bruins showed more focus than in previous lackadaisical wins, like
the road victories against Oregon State and California.
"We could have won both of those games, it came down to, what I
think, was a call," Toby Bailey said, referring to last-second
fouls called against the Bruins in both games. "So I’m not worried
about that. I think that we played better in those losses than we
have when we have beaten most of the teams this year."
A key to UCLA having a successful run in the Big Dance and
defeating Miami (18-9) will be its pressure defense. The press
allows the Bruins to play the up-tempo game that suits the team
with a roster that lacks height, but is one of the quickest in the
nation. Moreover, it would force the Hurricanes, who shoot a 28.4
percent three-point clip, to score from the outside.
"We could definitely look to press (Miami) especially if it’s
going to be slow tempo," UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said. "I think
teams have zoned them and have had good success."
But UCLA’s press is contingent on Henderson and freshman Baron
Davis staying out of foul trouble, a problem which has plagued UCLA
throughout the season. Davis has fouled out of nine games this
year, while Henderson has had to leave early four times. It is
especially important for Henderson to stay in the game, as he is
the Bruins’ major presence in the paint.
"It’s really a 50-50 chance of me getting into foul trouble or
the other team’s big guy getting into foul trouble," Henderson
said. "The way that matchup goes, if I get into foul trouble first,
then we will have a better chance of losing."
And there have been highly ranked teams that have lost to Miami,
like then No. 8 ranked Connecticut, and then No. 19 West Virginia.
The Hurricanes, who lost in the first round of the Big East
Tournament to Georgetown, are led by Tim James. James, a
6-foot-7-inch junior, averages 16.9 points and 9.5 rebounds. This
is only the second time in Miami’s history that it has made an
appearance in the NCAA tournament.