Kapono named Player of Week
UCLA sophomore forward Jason Kapono was named the Pac-10 Player
of the Week last week after impressive performances against
crosstown rival Southern California and Big East foe Villanova.
The Lakewood, Calif., native won the award for the first time in
his Bruin career; it is the 36th all-time honor for UCLA. Third in
the Pac-10 in scoring this week, he averaged 24.0 points and 8.5
rebounds last week. Kapono dropped a career-high 28 points on
9-of-14 shooting from the field against the Villanova Wildcats.
The reigning conference co-freshman of the year is atop the
Pac-10 free throw charts at 89.6 percent and fourth in
three-pointers at 44.6 percent.
No recount necessary
UCLA’s recent five-game winning streak, including
victories over current No. 24 USC and Villanova, helped propel the
Bruins back onto the national scene.
The Bruins (9-4, 3-0 Pac-10) are knocking on the door of the Top
25, sitting in 30th in this week’s Associated Press national
rankings with 50 votes and 26th in the ESPN/USA Today poll with 57
votes.
In the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) ““ the widely used
barometer for NCAA Tournament at-large bids and seedings ““
UCLA is 10th in the country this week with a schedule rated fifth
strongest in the nation.
The rest of the Pac
The Pac-10 is holding its ground in both Top 25 polls. Stanford
(15-0, 4-0) has planted itself in the top spot in both rankings
after convincing home victories against Oregon State and Oregon.
The Cardinal is one of two unbeaten teams in NCAA Division I
college basketball, along with Big East leader Georgetown.
The Cardinal face the hottest team in the Pac-10 tonight at 7:30
p.m. when Bay Area rival California (11-4, 3-1) travels to Maples
Pavilion. The Golden Bears have won nine out of their last 10 and
are one game behind conference leaders Stanford and UCLA.
Stanford also hosts New Mexico in a nonconference showdown
Saturday evening.
Arizona (10-5, 3-1) made a slight jump this week and will look
to do more of the same with head coach Lute Olsen returning to the
bench from his leave of absence following the death of his wife,
Bobbi. The Wildcats moved up to No. 17 in both Top 25 polls this
week and host USC on Thursday and the Bruins on Saturday.
With the loss to UCLA last Thursday, the Trojans dropped to 20th
in the ESPN/USA Today list and 24th in the Associated Press poll.
They travel to the desert this week to take on the Arizona
schools.
Number crunching
Since the addition of senior guard Jason Flowers into the
starting lineup at Purdue, the Bruins have posted a 5-0 record. The
Bellflower, Calif., native had a career-high eight points and three
assists against Villanova on Saturday.
The Bruins’ current 3-0 conference start is their best
ever with Lavin at the helm. Lavin is 7-1 against Arizona State and
had won 22 straight decisions before the Bruins’ fell 104-75
in Tempe behind a 40-point performance from former Sun Devil
superstar Eddie House.
Senior guard Earl Watson needs four assists to move into fourth
on the school’s all-time list ahead of Ralph Jackson’s
523 (1981-84).
Junior forward Matt Barnes tied a career high with six steals
against Villanova ““ a feat matched by his defensive
performance against Hawaii on Dec. 9 of last year.
Lavin turns 100
UCLA’s victory over Villanova last Saturday marked the
100th head coaching victory for Steve Lavin. He became the second
fastest coach (142 games) to reach the plateau in modern school
history behind Jim Harrick, who eclipsed the century mark in the
seventh game of his fifth season (136 games).
Former Bruin head coach John Wooden reached the 100 win mark in
144 games ““ the end of his fifth season in Westwood.
Injury update
Junior center Dan Gadzuric suffered back spasms in the first
half of the Bruins’ contest against Villanova after only nine
minutes of action. The 6-foot-11 Gadzuric did not practice Monday
and participated in full-court drills on Tuesday. The UCLA medical
staff says that he should be ready to play Thursday against Arizona
State.
Notes compiled by AJ Cadman, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.