Daily Bruin File Photo Head coach Steve
Lavin looks on from the sidelines in a game against ASU
last season.
Lavin in charge
Steve Lavin has a new coaching staff and a freshman starting at
point guard, so he’s reverting to his old ways.
He’s more involved now.
“Lavin’s been doing a lot more coaching this
year,” senior guard Billy Knight said. “He’s been
a lot more hands-on.”
“Practices are even longer this year,” senior center
Dan Gadzuric added. “I guess he’s doing the things he
feels need to be done.”
During his first couple of years as UCLA’s head coach,
Lavin had an inexperienced staff and was forced to work more
closely with his players. As the years went on, he began backing
off.
“I started to delegate more responsibilities (to the
assistants) and focused on running the program,” Lavin said.
“I distanced myself too much from the hands-on teaching style
I had as an assistant and my first couple years (as head coach).
Now I’ve found a middle ground.”
Much of his burden, however, has been lifted by the six
upperclassmen on the team, who have been instructing the
squad’s youngsters.
“We have built-in extra assistant coaches because of our
six upperclassmen,” Lavin said.
In the rankings
In the first Associated Press poll of the season, UCLA is ranked
fifth. Duke, which got 61 of 72 possible first-place votes, top the
rankings. Following the defending national champion Blue Devils are
Maryland, Illinois and Kentucky, in that order.
Duke is also No. 1 in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll, which has
the Bruins sixth. In those rankings, Illinois is second, Maryland
is third, Kentucky is fourth and Florida is fifth.
Security tightened at Pauley Pavilion
The level of security at Pauley Pavilion during home basketball
games will be greatly increased this season due to the massive
paranoia that has overtaken the country.
Only small purses and bags measuring less than 14 square inches
will be permitted inside of the arena. The UCLA athletic department
is asking that items such as basketballs, banners, signs and
briefcases be kept in cars.
The new measures are expected to delay entry into Pauley; fans
are being encouraged to arrive early for games.
Other notes
Earl Watson is still in the NBA, receiving minimal playing time
for the Seattle Sonics. He scored his first career points on Oct.
30 against the Sacramento Kings.
JaRon Rush, freshly cut from the Sonics, was selected by the
Roanoke Dazzle in the seventh round of the National Basketball
Development League’s inaugural draft.
Compiled by Dylan Hernandez, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.