Friday, January 22, 1999
UCLA faces balanced attack in Louisville
MHOOPS: Bruins must remain focused to win competitive road
games
By Brent Boyd
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Louisville head coach Denny Crum must think playing UCLA is a
lot like kissing his sister.
"If we could tie them I would – that would be the best," he
said.
Over 40 years since graduating from UCLA and nearly three
decades after leaving his post as an assistant coach to John
Wooden, his feelings for UCLA are still strong.
"To be honest, I would almost rather beat anyone else. I don’t
get near as much enjoyment beating them as I do other teams."
But don’t think that when UCLA (13-4) enters Freedom Hall in
Louisville on Saturday that Crum and his Cardinals won’t do
everything possible to defeat the Bruins.
That’s just not their style.
These redbirds have overcome much more than their coach’s
loyalty to his undergraduate program.
Finishing 12-20 a year ago – the first season in Crum’s 27-year
reign as head coach that the Cardinals have finished with more
losses than wins – Louisville (10-3) is back on track this
season.
Well, to some extent.
On NCAA probation, due to the improper activities of a former
assistant coach, Louisville is in the midst of appealing its ban
against appearing in this year’s NCAA tournament. But this just
makes their season all the more impressive.
The Cardinals have already beaten Kentucky and only lost by five
at North Carolina, and before their contest against Cincinnati
Thursday night were undefeated in Conference USA play.
Just this week, Louisville, which has won eight of its past nine
games, entered the AP poll in the 24th position.
"It’s been wonderful, the kids have worked real hard," Crum
said. "We have gotten a lot better. We’ve been able to press more
and do some things we weren’t able to do."
Forcing more than 20 turnovers per game, nearly 30 percent of
the Cardinals’ points are the result of turnovers.
Led by a very balanced attack – no Cardinal starter scores fewer
than 11.3 points per game and leading-scorer Cameron Murray only
averages 13.5 – Louisville ranks 11th nationally with 83 points per
game.
But, when UCLA comes to town, Louisville will be at a major
disadvantage.
Whereas the Bruins haven’t played since Wednesday – an easy
98-80 win over USC – the Cardinals will have had only one day to
prepare for UCLA, after playing the No. 5 Bearcats last night.
"We haven’t prepared at all for UCLA," Crum said Thursday
morning. "We don’t have that luxury."
But, they do have the luxury of playing in the 18,000-seat
Freedom Hall, where the Cardinals are 6-0. And it is only the
beginning for a stretch of tough games for the Bruins.
Although the win over USC was technically a road game, the
Bruins will embark on a key three-game road stretch that will
conclude with games against Washington and Washington State next
week.
"Playing in these games on the road will show us how to retain
our composure and intensity," UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said. "I
think (playing at Louisville) is positive in preparing for the NCAA
tournament.
"Traveling through time zones, and playing somebody outside of
league – it’ll simulate an NCAA environment."
There’s one more similarity.
Just like the NCAA tournament, they don’t allow ties in the
regular season. Not even in Louisville.
Sorry, coach Crum.
Comments, feedback, problems?
© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board[Home]