VIDEO: Honeycutt on the Team

VIDEO: Honeycutt on the Team

"Freshman forward Tyler Honeycutt talked at the weekly press conference about what it was like going through the five-game losing streak, how it's been for him to catch up after injuries, and more..."
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UCLA forward Honeycutt sees his stock rise
By Jon Gold Staff Writer
The Los Angeles Daily News
Updated: 12/17/2009 10:31:46 PM PST


Game by game, Tyler Honeycutt is rounding into form.

The UCLA freshman forward, coming off a stress reaction in his shin and a sore back, has brought a bit of energy to the sometimes listless Bruins, who broke a five-game skid with a 100-68 win over New Mexico State on Tuesday.

Honeycutt had his best game following two so-so performances in losses to Kansas and Mississippi State, with 14points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes Tuesday.

More important for the poor-shooting Bruins was Honeycutt made 4 of 6 shots after going just 4 of 16 in his first two appearances.

"I'm still getting back into it," said Honeycutt, who starred at Sylmar High.

"Obviously I've only had about three practices.

Eventually it will come along. I can improve on a lot. Defense, on-ball defense.
"I'm not used to turning the ball over that much."

Honeycutt does have his freshman moments. Late in the first half, he drove the lane, cut through defenders and leaped to his feet looking for a teammate.

Only problem was there was no one trailing and Honeycutt threw the ball away.

But such is life with a young squad, UCLA head coach Ben Howland has learned.

"You have to be patient, especially with youth," Howland said.

"We've got young kids who are learning everything for the first time. It's a whole new experience for what these freshmen are going through, the level of intensity that you have to bring each and every day."

Intensity is not the issue for Honeycutt.

He is a ball of energy in leaping from out of nowhere to grab a rebound over three defenders.

It is a brand of reckless abandon the Bruins need as they hope to begin mending their early season wounds.

"We definitely need something off the bench, and he provides that energy," senior guard Michael Roll said. "With more experience, better things are going to come from him. He provides good rebounding on the offensive end, which leads to more buckets."