On the road - so have to do a quick drive by post on last night's big win. I think A will have something more later today. Yet another win keyed by our defense:
There was all the flow of molasses dripping uphill, but the foundation UCLA coach Ben Howland constructed was present again Thursday.
At least for 20 minutes, which, against a passive Arizona State squad, was enough.
The 14th-ranked Bruins used stifling defense in the second half to offset a lackluster offensive display and woeful performance at the free-throw line to beat Arizona State 69-60 Thursday at Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA never appeared threatened, but also didn't seize full control in the final minutes. It was, however, enough to remain in first place in the Pacific-10, a game ahead of California and Stanford. The Bruins (18-4,8-2 Pac-10) end the regular season with a trip to the Bay Area.
One of highlights of last night's game - perhaps signs of AA getting out of his shooting slump. Looks like the Dorrell's order of taking some time off helped Arron:
At least for 20 minutes, which, against a passive Arizona State squad, was enough.
The 14th-ranked Bruins used stifling defense in the second half to offset a lackluster offensive display and woeful performance at the free-throw line to beat Arizona State 69-60 Thursday at Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA never appeared threatened, but also didn't seize full control in the final minutes. It was, however, enough to remain in first place in the Pacific-10, a game ahead of California and Stanford. The Bruins (18-4,8-2 Pac-10) end the regular season with a trip to the Bay Area.
Farmar led the Bruins with 18 points, but the biggest offensive development was leading scorer Arron Afflalo's second half. He finished with 17 points, but showed signs of breaking out of a three-week shooting slump by making four of six shots, including two of three from 3-point range in the second half.
"It does feel good, at least for the half," Afflalo said. "But the thing was, at halftime I really wasn't worried about me scoring. I had two points, but I'm maturing in a sense. I'm not going to force shots, like I did the past weekend. That's part of being a team player. I don't want to be passive, but I'm not going to go out hunting shots anymore."
Now time to get FIRED UP for tomorrow. We get to hang Lute up in Pauley's rafters and make him and his little trailor trash program an after thought for oh I know - at least couple of decades."It does feel good, at least for the half," Afflalo said. "But the thing was, at halftime I really wasn't worried about me scoring. I had two points, but I'm maturing in a sense. I'm not going to force shots, like I did the past weekend. That's part of being a team player. I don't want to be passive, but I'm not going to go out hunting shots anymore."
Student section which has been in the news of late due to the UCLA Athletic Director's buffoonery - will be key. They will be fired up. And for those who have never sat in the student section, here is a preview from the GameDay Commercial for ESPN (quicktime version). Thanks again to our loyal reader who sent us the file to share with rest of the Nation. I think this version is a little short - but still pretty cool. Makes me miss Pauley all over again. GO BRUINS.