UCLA's Parker searching for minutes

UCLA's Tony Parker listens to questions from the media during a preseason news conference. A part of a celebrated freshmen class, Parker hasn't seen as minutes as expected this season. MIGUEL VASCONCELLOS, FOR ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

UCLA's Parker searching for minutes

BY RYAN KARTJE / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Published: Dec. 21, 2012 Updated: 2:31 p.m.

LOS ANGELES – With the title of "nation's top recruiting class" comes a great deal of responsibility, as weighty expectations were laid upon the shoulders of UCLA freshmen Shabazz Muhammad, Kyle Anderson, Jordan Adams, and Tony Parker coming into the season.


Muhammad, billed as a potential top-three pick in next year's NBA Draft, started slow but has begun to look like one of the Pac 12's best players. Anderson has also started to find his stride. And Adams, meanwhile, has been a more prolific scorer than many imagined upon his arrival.

Still, Parker remains the odd man out. Despite the Bruins' lack of depth in the frontcourt, Parker has only managed minor minutes in most games this season – against Long Beach State (UCLA's last game) that meant just five minutes.

That limited time on the court has led to questions of his development and whether he's on par with his talented freshmen classmates.

"Tony is going to end up playing major minutes in huge games for us this season as it unfolds," Howland said. "He's making good progress. I'm excited about Tony."

Howland attributes his limited success so far to a difference in the learning process of playing inside, versus outside. Parker, he says, has had a tougher change to make than the other freshmen.

Parker was also hampered by injuries a great deal since joining the Bruins, as a torn hamstring kept him out the entire summer, including the team's trip to China. And since returning, Parker has dealt with back spasms and a twisted ankle that he sustained in warm-ups a few weeks ago. All in all, it's been a rather unlucky beginning for someone adjusting to being in a difficult position.

"I don't know that (he needed more time)," Howland said. "It's different when you're playing inside. Those guys are so physical and it's just different playing inside versus outside. It's a different game. Everybody is different, but Tony is going to be a very good player."


HOWLAND RESPONDS

One day after questions of his job security began circulating, courtesy of a story on Bruin Report Online that stated UCLA was leaning toward firing its long-time basketball coach, Howland said he hasn't spoken with anyone in the school's athletic department about his future, nor is he concerned by the report.

"I heard about it, but I don't read it," Howland said. "You're always going to have things written (about you). I'm just doing everything I can to help this team improve and grow and become the best team it can become."

"I can't help you with substantiating anything that's written on the boards," he added.

The report also claimed that Howland may not even last the full season before being fired by the athletic department. That seems unlikely, given Howland's massive buyout and the public perception disaster that the program would have on its hands, having fired Howland in the middle of what was supposed to be a banner year for UCLA, but it's also not an impossibility.

But for the UCLA coach who may possibly be in turmoil following a rocky start to a key season, he expects to be evaluated in the same way he has since taking the job with the Bruins in 2003.
"Everything at UCLA since I've been here has been very, very much the same in that you're evaluated at the end of every season," Howland said.


QUICK HITS

With Fresno State coming to Pauley Pavilion on Saturday, Howland said that he expects the Bulldogs to pressure a lot in man-to-man defense. "They play extremely hard," he said of Fresno's defense. ... UCLA's out-of-state players won't be going home for Christmas this year, as the team will have practice on the night of the 25th. The Bruins take on Missouri on Dec. 28 in one of their marquee matchups of the non-conference season.

Contact the writer: rkartje@ocregister.com

First look: Fresno State at UCLA

First look: Fresno State at UCLA

 

 

 

 

By Peter Yoon | ESPNLosAngeles.com

December, 21, 2012

3:45 PM PT

 

 

What: Fresno State Bulldogs (5-6) vs. UCLA Bruins (8-3)

When: Saturday, 8 p.m. PT

Where: Pauley Pavilion

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Radio: AM 570

Scouting the Bruins: UCLA is on a three-game win streak and has won four of its last five games. The Bruins are 2-0 on their current six-game homestand and are looking to win a fourth consecutive game for the first time this season. Freshmen Shabazz Muhammad (17.8 ppg) and Jordan Adams (17.5) continue to lead the Bruins in scoring and on Tuesday against Long Beach State they each scored more than 20 points, marking the first time in school history two freshmen scored 20 or more in the same game. Offensively, the Bruins have been clicking the last two games with an average of 92 points against Prairie View A&M and Long Beach State. They have shot 57.4% in those two games and have 46 assists on 66 made baskets in those games. Larry Drew II continues to lead all Pac-12 players with 8.4 assists per game and a 5.1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Scouting the Bulldogs: Fresno State has lost three consecutive games, including two to Pac-12 foes, and five of their last seven. They have several common opponents with UCLA in Texas, Long Beach State, Cal Poly and UC Irvine. Fresno State is 2-3 in those games while UCLA went 3-1 against those teams. Fresno State plays a slow-down, defensive style and is averaging only 58.3 points a game while holding opponents to only 55.8 with a solid man-to-man defense. The Bulldogs, picked to finish seventh in their first year in the Mountain West Conference, have held six consecutive opponents under 60 points. Junior Allen Huddleston, a 6-2 guard, is averaging 11.7 points per game and is the only Bulldogs player averaging in double figures scoring. Robert Upshaw, a 7-foot freshman, provides an inside presence and is averaging nearly two blocked shots per game.

The series: UCLA leads the all-time series, 6-0, but they haven't faced each other in nearly 22 years. UCLA won the last meeting, 110-89, on Dec. 27, 1990. Tracy Murray had 26 points and 14 rebounds and Don MacLean had 22 points and eight rebounds.

Quick quote: "They are primarily a man-to-man team that really gets out and pressures you," UCLA coach Ben Howland said of the Bulldogs. "I’ve been impressed with some of their players. They’ve got some good pieces. It’s going to be a tough game."

Business as usual for Ben Howland

Business as usual for Ben Howland

 

 

By Peter Yoon | ESPNLosAngeles.com

December, 21, 2012

3:23 PM PT

 

 

 

Ben Howland said Friday he’s is going about his business as usual as the Bruins (8-3), who had a tumultuous first six weeks of the season, prepare for their final two games before Pac-12 play.

"I’m just doing everything I can to help this team improve and grow and become the best team it can become and help the players and individuals grow and become the best players they can," Howland said.

Howland came under fire last season when a Sport Illustrated article painted an unflattering image of him and his program, and he missed the NCAA tournament for the second time in three seasons. UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero brought back his coach, who is under contract through the 2016-17 season, but this season started on the wrong foot despite high expectations brought on by the nation's top-ranked recruiting class.

The Bruins barely survived an overtime game against UC Irvine, then less than two weeks later blew an 18-point lead against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Two players, guard Tyler Lamb and center Joshua Smith quit the team within a four-day span. Later that week, an embarrassing fan turnout at the Wooden Classic during a loss to San Diego State led to speculation that Howland might be nearing the end of the line at UCLA.

Howland and the Bruins have won three in a row since then and appear to be playing at a higher level, but UCLA fan website Bruin Report Online reported this week that UCLA was "currently leaning toward replacing Ben Howland as its head basketball coach, and he could be let go before the end of the season." The report, citing sources, went on to say, "This is not to say that it's completely certain that UCLA will fire Howland, however."

To fire Howland would require a buyout of one year's salary plus whatever is remaining on the current year. That would come to about $2.85 million if he were to be fired today. Howland said Friday that he has had no discussions with Guerrero or anyone in the athletic department regarding his future and that such reports are simply part of life as a coach at a major college program.

"I can’t help you in substantiating anything that is written on the boards," Howland said. "Everything at UCLA since I’ve been here has been very much the same in that you are evaluated at the end of every season."

Parker still in the mix

Freshman center Tony Parker played only five minutes Tuesday against Long Beach State and is averaging fewer than nine minutes a game this year -- almost 17 minutes less than any body else in UCLA’s regular rotation.
Howland said Friday that he still sees Parker as a major part of the Bruins’ plans for the future.

"Tony is going to end up playing major minutes in huge games for us as this season unfolds," Howland said. "He’s making good progress. I’m excited about Tony. He didn’t play many minutes against Long Beach. It was a very difficult matchup game, I thought, in that game."

Howland said Parker (6-9, 275) is still working himself into game shape after a series of injuries has set back his progress. He tore his hamstring in the summer and did not practice or play during the team’s trip to China, then threw out his back during UCLA's trip to New York last month and sprained his ankle during pre-game warmups earlier this month. Howland said Parker had one of his best practices of the year on Thursday.

"He’s had some tough luck and seems to be getting in better condition," Howland said.

They won't be home for Christmas

UCLA's heralded freshman class has four out-of-state players -- Shabazz Muhammad from Nevada, Kyle Anderson from New Jersey and Jordan Adams and Parker from Georgia -- but Howland said the team will be staying in Westwood for Christmas. The Bruins play Saturday and don't have another game until Dec. 28, but will be practicing on Christmas night, Howland said.

"They’re going to stick around," Howland said. "It’s tough right now. I feel bad that they won’t be able to go home, but playing basketball the holidays are a little different."

The players will have Sunday and Monday off, Howland said, but they will be back in the gym for three straight days of preparation for the Dec. 28 game against No. 12 Missouri. Howland said some of the players have family in town and that nobody will be left alone for Christmas.

"All of our players will have a nice Christmas dinner before practice," he said.

Bruins' success fueled by Larry Drew II

 

By Peter Yoon | ESPNLosAngeles.com

December, 18, 2012

11:51 PM PT

 

 

LOS ANGELES -- The statistics will show that Jordan Adams and Shabazz Muhammad led the UCLA Bruins to an 89-70 victory over the Long Beach State 49ers on Tuesday. But in coach Ben Howland’s mind, Larry Drew II sparked it.

And if UCLA is to continue to build on its recent success and get back to being the type of team many had pegged the Bruins to be this season, Drew must continue to fuel the fire.

Of all the new faces on UCLA’s team this season, Drew, a senior transfer from North Carolina, received the least amount of fanfare -- overshadowed by a monster recruiting class that includes Adams and Muhammad.

Those freshmen haven’t disappointed. Adams had 24 points Tuesday and Muhammad added 21 as the duo continues to lead UCLA in scoring. But Howland couldn’t stop gushing about Drew’s game.

The point guard had 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting to go with nine assists, but it was Drew’s performance on the other end of the floor that got Howland going. He harassed Long Beach State point guard Mike Caffey all game with an in-your-face intensity that effectively shut down the quicker, more athletic 49ers and keyed the Bruins’ victory.

Caffey had only six points on 2-of-10 shooting as Drew continued to show signs of becoming the type of defensive player the Bruins need him to be if they intend on competing against speedy, agile teams.

“That’s the best game of Larry Drew’s career thus far at UCLA,” Howland said. “He played fantastic at both ends. He did a great job defensively on their point guard, who is a very good player.

“When he is playing like that defensively, it makes everybody else’s job easier because he guarding the head of the other team.”

Drew had not been up to snuff defensively early this season. During a Dec. 8 game against Texas, commentator Dick Vitale called out Drew for his lack of effort to stay in front of the ball as Texas point guard Javan Felix routinely beat Drew off the dribble.

Something came over Drew in the final minutes of that game, however, as his tightened defense helped the Bruins erase an eight-point deficit in the final four minutes. Ever since that tilt in Houston, Drew has played with the type of effort required for UCLA to have success, and the Bruins have won three consecutive games.

In the past two, opposing point guards have combined for six points on 2-of-13 shooting.

“When he is really locked in and playing as hard as he possibly can, he is a very good on-ball defender,” Howland said.

“We need to have that out of him. It makes it a lot harder to run your offense for the other team’s point guard if you’re having to deal with Larry Drew at his best defensively.”

Howland has been touting Drew’s importance since the summer, saying on more than one occasion that despite the No. 1 recruiting class coming in, Drew was the most important new player for the Bruins this season.

He continued that theme during his news conference this week when he said Drew could be the best defensive player at UCLA since Darren Collison. The problem, Howland said, is that Drew has never really been taught to play defense the way Howland requires.

Howland wants Drew to pick up the ball earlier in transition and play a suffocating, high-energy style of defense to frustrate the opposing ball handler.

The coaching staff has been emphasizing that style in practice, challenging Drew to raise his level of play on the defensive end.

“All [Monday] the coaching staff, they were really on me about this game and Mike Caffey and his playmaking ability,” Drew said. “Coach [Scott] Garson let me know straight up that if we’re going to have any chance, it starts with you on the defensive end. You have to come and bring it for 40 minutes, so I just took it upon myself to try and stop him.”

The importance of Drew’s defense on the opposing point guard cannot be understated:

He is one of only two or three players on the UCLA roster anyone would label as quick or athletic. When he’s getting beat off the dribble, there is little any of his slower teammates can do to help.

He’s also got the strength to fight through screens and is in shape to play more than 33 minutes a game. Drew said it’s his responsibility to figure out what the coaches are telling him and to put in the energy, effort and work required to do it successfully.

During the past few games, he said, he’s done exactly that and seen positive results.

“The coaches are giving me all the tools we need to go out there and perform, and it’s on me to go out there and actually execute,” he said. “I need to give 100 percent effort and intensity for the whole 40 minutes.”

And when he’s doing that, it’s good for the entire team.

Rapid Reaction: UCLA 89, Long Beach State 70

Rapid Reaction: UCLA 89, Long Beach State 70

 

 

By Peter Yoon | ESPNLosAngeles.com

December, 18, 2012

10:18 PM PT

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES -- With a hot start and a torrid finish, the UCLA Bruins posted their second consecutive blowout victory, this time an 89-70 victory over the Long Beach State 49ers on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion.

A quick look at the game:

How it happened: The Bruins (8-3) made 15 of their first 21 shots to build a cushion and never trailed in defeating the 49ers (4-7). Long Beach State made plenty of runs to try to get back into the game, trimming the lead to single digits several times. But a 15-5 run midway through the second half gave UCLA a 78-61 lead with 5:40 to play and the Bruins closed by making their final eight field goal attempts.

Four Bruins scored in double figures, led by Jordan Adams with 24 and Shabazz Muhammad with 21. Larry Drew II had his most complete game of the season, tallying 14 points and nine assists.

Player of the game: Adams had 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting. He also had three steals in the first half.

Stat of the game: UCLA shot 58.9 percent for the field, eclipsing 55 percent for the second game in a row.

What it means: UCLA continues to show signs of improvement. Although the interior defense left a lot to be desired (consider: Long Beach scored 38 points in the paint and 49ers center Dan Jennings had 27 points on 13-of-15 shooting), the Bruins fared well in playing man-to-man against a very athletic and battle-tested team.

What’s next: UCLA plays the Fresno State Bulldogs at 8 p.m. Saturday at Pauley Pavilion.

Coach says he's to blame for Larry Drew II's short UCLA career

 

Coach says he's to blame for Larry Drew II's short UCLA career

Ben Howland says he made a mistake years ago in pushing for a commitment from then-high schooler Drew. The unselfish point guard went to North Carolina but is finally realizing his dream in Westwood.

By Baxter Holmes, Los Angeles Times
December 18, 2012

Larry Drew II's UCLA basketball career will end when the Bruins' season does — and Ben Howland regrets this.

The UCLA coach regrets this not just because he will lose a veteran leader and an unselfish, steady point guard who is averaging 8.3 assists a game, third-highest in the nation.

No, Howland regrets this also because he knows the fifth-year senior would have played for him much longer than one season if not for a mistake Howland said he made years ago.

"I take full responsibility for him not being here as a freshman," Howland said Monday, a day before the Bruins (7-3) face Long Beach State (4-6) at Pauley Pavilion.

"Because if I had been more patient during the recruiting process, at the end of the day, he would've come here."

Growing up in Encino, Drew attended UCLA basketball camps, watched its games and dreamed of being a Bruin.

But when Howland offered a scholarship while Drew was starring at Woodland Hills Taft, the coach added he wanted a commitment in roughly one week.

"But I didn't really want to do that," Drew said.

"I just wanted to keep my options open and weigh everything out, even though UCLA was my favorite."

Drew also wanted to "experience the whole recruiting process," according to his father, Larry Drew Sr.

In the end, Howland's scholarship offer came off the table and Drew ended up in North Carolina, a place he said he "never really liked" and one he left after 21/2 seasons.

Upon exiting Chapel Hill, Drew said the first coach to call was Howland, who apologized for his recruitment to UCLA.

"He let me know he wanted me to come back," Drew said.

Howland also spoke with Drew Sr., who coaches the Atlanta Hawks.

"To me, it takes a special man to admit he handled the situation the wrong way," Drew Sr. said in an interview.

"And [Howland] said, 'Big Larry, I owe you an apology, because I handled that situation the wrong way.' "

Drew ultimately came to Westwood, though much later than he imagined. He sat out last season because of transfer rules.

"I definitely would've come here out of [high school], maybe if he would've given me a couple of days or so after that week," Drew said. "But I don't really regret much. I just try to learn from my experience."

Drew said he and Howland are on good terms about what happened, but that neither has talked about it much publicly.

"I'm glad he finally said something," Drew said, when informed of Howland's comments during an interview.

"It's not like I was waiting on it …" Drew said, his voice trailing off.

"OK, well, maybe I was waiting on it," he said, laughing.

For so long, Drew sugarcoated his experience in Chapel Hill, where he said he simply didn't feel comfortable.

When people asked why he chose to play for the Tar Heels, he answered he did so for the tradition or the coach or the great teammates he would have, but none of that that was true.

"I never really wanted to go there," Drew said.

But he kept the truth inside — until now.

"I've always wondered when I could tell people," he said.

At North Carolina, Drew started 53 games but lost his starting job to a freshman after a 20-point loss. He came off the bench for four games and then left without saying a word.

But at UCLA, Drew is home and happy, and his assist/turnover ratio (4.9) is the seventh-best in Division I, a stark difference for a player who committed 120 turnovers as a sophomore at North Carolina, earning him the nickname "Turnover Jesus."

"He's confident in every move he makes, every pass he makes, every shot he takes. It shows," said forward Travis Wear, who also transferred from North Carolina to UCLA.

Drew is the lone senior on a team laden with freshman stars, and he has had to learn to be a leader, but Shabazz Muhammad said Drew has excelled in that area.

"He's always leading us into the locker room and telling us what our game plan is in the first and second half," Muhammad said. "That's big time. We're really feeding off that."

And Howland is glad to finally have Drew, but he wishes that he hadn't asked for a commitment so early, because maybe he could have had Drew for four seasons instead of one.

"It's all on me," Howland said. "I regret it to this moment."

baxter.holmes@latimes.com

Copyright © 2012, Los Angeles Times

 

Thanks to HowlandWood for posting this article on BZ.

BSR TV: Ben Howland, LBSU Preview

BSR TV: Ben Howland, LBSU Preview

Edward Lewis
BruinSportsReport.com Publisher

December 17, 2012

UCLA head coach Ben Howland spoke with reporters Monday afternoon, previewing UCLA's game against Long Beach State.

Talk about it in Bruin Tracks