BASKETBALL PREVIEW
A familiar
CHALLENGE Coach Ben Howland finds himself with a young, inexperienced team, much like during the Bruins’ successful 2005 season. This year, will the Bruins be so lucky?
BY ANDREW HOWARD
Bruin Sports senior staff
T
ahoward@media.ucla.edu
he year was 2005.
After suffering a sound defeat to Texas Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Ben Howland entered his second season as coach of the UCLA men’s basketball program, with a team composed mostly of freshmen and sophomores. Entering the 2005-2006 season as the No. 18 team in the country, not much was expected from a Bruin team that finished with a 18-11 overall record and tied for third place in the Pac-10 the season before. Add in the overwhelming presence of youth and inexperience, and the Bruins appeared to be future title contenders, not current ones. But then a funny thing happened. Tomorrow became today, inexperience transformed into experience, and the same Bruin team that seemed too young to contend found itself in the NCAA championship game against Florida. Despite losing to the Gators, that team began a run of three consecutive Final Four appearances for the Bruins, a streak that came to an end last year, and one that this year’s Bruin team hopes it can start again. “We’re young, but still, young don’t mean nothing,” sophomore guard Malcolm Lee said. “We really don’t have the experience as other teams do, but experience comes along with the journey.” This year’s Bruin squad contains a number of similarities to the 2005 team. Like 2005, the Bruins are coming off a humbling loss in the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament, this time an 89-69 drubbing at the hands of Villanova. Much like in 2005, when not much was expected from the Bruins, this year’s team enters the season unranked and picked to finish third in the Pac-10. But perhaps the most important similarity between the two teams is the level of inexperience. Like the 2005 squad, this Bruin team has five freshmen, four sophomores and three seniors on scholarships, constituting one of the youngest teams Howland has had in his six full seasons at UCLA. HOWLAND | Page 6
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DAILY BRUIN MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009
BASKETBALL PREVIEW
BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Point guard is a new starter, but familiar with leadership Despite injury, leg cramps, Jerime Anderson takes on challenge of replacing Darren Collison BY BLAIR ANGULO
Bruin Sports senior staff bangulo@media.ucla.edu
Jerime Anderson may be UCLA’s new starting point guard, but don’t tell him that. There’s nothing new about the role he’s assumed on this year’s team. He’s always been that guy, that so-called f loor general, no matter where he’s played or whom he’s played with. “My whole life, I’ve always been the leader,” said Anderson, a sophomore from Anaheim. New or not, a young Bruin squad will need a leader or two during a season that figures to be more about reloading than repeating. Anderson, who averaged less than 10 minutes per game in a limited role last season, takes over at point guard for Darren Collison, the former AllMAYA SUGARMAN/ DA I LY B R U I N S E N I O R STA F F American who was a staple in coach Ben Howland’s backcourt since taking Sophomore Jerime Anderson is stepping into the starting point guard role over for Jordan Farmar. Needless to say, Anderson has big vacated by Darren Collison. shoes to fill. “Those guys are going to be in the minutes (his previous high was 18), league for a long time,” Anderson said. Anderson was again limited physically, “I’ve already embraced the challenge. this time by a constant cramp in his I don’t really feel too much pressure right leg. because I’m going to go out there and “A couple times I drove and I just do my thing.” cramped and fell right to the ground,” Anderson became the official suc- Anderson said afterwards. “I wanted cessor to Collison once close friend to keep the pace up-tempo a little bit Jrue Holiday, a point more but I held back a guard candidate himself, little bit.” decided to leave UCLA “I don’t ... feel too When healthy, Anderearly for the NBA at the much pressure son is perhaps the Bruend of his freshman year i ns’ best play ma ker. because I’m going Despite the cramps, he last season. Despite the loss of to the basket with to go out there got Holiday, Howla nd is ease and pushed the ball confident that Anderson and do my thing.” up the floor when he had has the ability to lead this to. JERIME ANDERSON team. “He knows the play “ T h a t ’s w h y w e even before it happens,” Sophomore point recruited him,” Howsaid sophomore guard guard land said. “Jerime is a Ma lcol m L ee, whom true point guard. He’s real pass-first Howland has pegged as Anderson’s and creates for others. The big thing backup at the point. “So it’s like basifor him is going to be staying healthy.” cally having another coach out there That was a tough task during the on the floor. It’s a lot smoother when preseason. Anderson missed a consid- Jerime is in there.” erable amount of full-contact practices The ball was in Anderson’s hands while nursing a nagging groin injury during the final 30 seconds of the first similar to the one he dealt with last half against Humboldt State. He waited year. After missing the Bruins’ first and waited, until the time was right, exhibition game with that same injury, then drove to the basket – a situation Anderson was healthy enough to make that Collison excelled at – and scored his first career start in last Tuesday’s 74-57 victory over Humboldt State. ANDERSON | Page 4 And despite playing a career-high 29
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009 DAILY BRUIN
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Sophomore transfer all set to join team BY BRANTLEY WATSON
Bruin Sports senior staff bwatson@media.ucla.edu
The accolades are endless. 2008 McDonald’s All-American, 2008 Gatorade California Player of the Year, 2008 Southern Section Division I-AA Player of the Year, two-time California Interscholastic Federation Division I Player of the Year, and so on, and so on. To put it bluntly, Jasmine Dixon is no stranger to recognition. So when the 5-foot-11-inch Long Beach native, who led Long Beach Poly to three consecutive California Division I state titles, was set to attend Rutgers and play under Basketball Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer, expectations were lofty to say the least. But five games into her freshman season at Rutgers, after averaging only 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds, Dixon had a decision to make. And it involved coming home. “It didn’t work out well for me on the East Coast, so I figured why not come home,” Dixon said. “My family’s here, it’s a great program, great coaches. I could just start over.” And that is exactly what the former McDonald’s All-American and current UCLA Bruin hopes to do. Get a fresh start. Dixon, who transferred to UCLA last year but was ineligible to play for an entire year dating back to her last game at Rutgers, is merely a month away from being able to get back on the hardwood and join her new teammates.
TIFFANY CHENG/ DA I LY
B R U I N S E N I O R STA F F
Sophomore guard Jasmine Dixon will be eligible to play on Dec. 15 following a yearlong absence after transferring from Rutgers. A McDonald’s All-American, Dixon led her high school team to three consecutive state championships.
And in her mind, that day can‘t come quickly enough. “I’m really excited to get on the court with the girls,” Dixon said. “When I do get on the court, every-
thing is going to flow naturally, just like practice. I can’t wait.” As a f ive-star recruit in high school, Dixon was recruited by nearly every women’s basketball power-
house in the nation before settling on Rutgers. But after a tough transition to livDIXON | Page 7
Women’s basketball aiming for NCAA Players hope coach Nikki Caldwell’s prior experience will take them to the postseason BY KENDALL SALTER
Bruin Sports senior staff ksalter@media.ucla.edu
On one end of the court, the defense was sweating through a drill with the scout team as assistants shouted instructions. On the other end, two players sprinted up and down the floor, hoping that this set would be the last one for the afternoon. Coach Nikki Caldwell looked on, whistle in mouth, eyes focused on the movement of her players as they darted after their assignments. A shot goes up. Swish.
The whistle immediately blows, and Caldwell raises her voice in frustration. “What happened? Why don’t I hear talking going on?” Caldwell said imploringly, only somewhat rhetorically. The second-year coach is tenacious to say the least. While defense and rebounding remain priorities, it is toughness and hustle that Caldwell and her staff most desire. “ T hat is somet h i ng you ca n improve on,” said Caldwell, following a strenuous practice prior to her team’s opening road trip to Iowa. “It doesn’t matter if it’s home or road.
We have to have toughness.” Coming off a 19-12 inaugural season with the Bruins, Caldwell is focused on one goal: reaching the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins haven’t reached the postseason since 2006, meaning no players on the current roster have reached the tournament. A former standout as a player at Tennessee, Caldwell has a plethora of NCAA experience both as a player and an assistant coach. It is this experience that many of the players believe will help them finally break through the postseason barrier. “It does help that she’s been there,” junior point guard Doreena CampSEASON | Page 7
TIFFANY CHENG/ DA I LY
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Second-year coach Nikki Caldwell aims to improve upon a 19-12 record from her inaugural season in Westwood.
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DAILY BRUIN MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009
Pac-10 men’s basketball projected order finish Projected order of finish, according to a poll of media members who cover Pac-10 men’s basketball
a decade of UCLA point guards
1. California Golden Bears Last season: (22-11) Key returners: Patrick Christopher (pictured), Jerome Randle and Theo Robertson
Newcomer to keep eye on: Brandon Smith What they’re saying: “There’s a little optimism floating around.
We’re in a process of trying to get better.” – coach Mike Montgomery
S
In UCLA basketball’s historic legacy, s point guard play. Since Tyus Edney’s c in the second round of the NCAA tour cent national championship in 1995, W floor generals. With Earl Watson, Jor stars Baron Davis and Russell Westbr Anderson looks to emerge as the orc
Too much to Bear?: Led by guards Randle and Christopher, Cal
returns four starters and 94 percent of its scoring from last season. There’s no question that Montgomery has the players, but will the Golden Bears be able to live up to lofty expectations? DAILY BRUIN FILE PHOTO
2. Washington Huskies
DAILY BRUIN FILE PHOTO
Earl Watson, 1997-2000
Last season: (26-9) Key returners: Venoy Overton, Quincy Pondexter and Isaiah Thomas (pictured)
Newcomer to keep an eye on: Abdul Gaddy What they’re saying: “We haven’t done a thing. We have a long way to go.” – coach Lorenzo Romar
Sleepless in Seattle: ... At least that’s what Romar hopes to
avoid now that double-double machine Jon Brockman is in the NBA. Fortunately for the Huskies, guards Thomas and Overton, along with five-star newcomer Gaddy, have the potential to carry the load. THE DAILY
3. UCLA Bruins Last season: (26-9) Key returners: Nikola Dragovic, Drew Gordon and Michael Roll (pictured)
Newcomer to keep an eye on: Reeves Nelson What they’re saying: “We’re excited about the year.
DAILY BRUIN FILE PHOTO
Darren Collison, 2005-2009
I’m looking forward to coaching this young team.” – coach Ben Howland
Something is Bruin: ... in Westwood, but not just yet. Dragovic is UCLA’s lone returning starter from last season, and Howland has handed the reigns of a rebuilding team over to sophomore guards Jerime Anderson and Malcolm Lee in hopes that they progress quickly.
DAILY BRUIN FILE PHOTO
Jordan Farmar, 2004-2006
DAILY BRUIN FILE PHOTO
ANDERSON | Focused on defe
4. Arizona Wildcats Last season: (21-14) Key returners: Kyle Fogg, Jamelle Horne and Nic Wise
from page 3
“He’s going to play as much as he’s able to play,” How said. “When he’s healthy I expect big things from Jerime. with a shot off the glass. Anderson expects big things out of Anderson, too. “A point guard is always typically looking to That’s why the 6-foot-2-inch Anderson, create for others and looking to score when it averaged just over two points and an assis “I ... tried to work presents itself,” Howland said. game last season, worked on his offense du As if making up for Collison’s offensive output on my jump shot the summer. wasn’t enough, Anderson must also replace his “I definitely tried to work on my jump the most. I’m stubborn, on-the-ball defense. Collison made the most,” Anderson said. “I’m trying to be a name for himself by being an effective ballproductive and more consistent because I k stopper in transition and harassing opposing trying to be more I’m going to have to make some shots. T guards in half-court sets. probably the weakest part of my game.” productive.” “He’s our first line of defense,” Howland said With the sole intention of refining his st JERIME ANDERSON he fought to keep his elbow in on shot attem of Anderson. But Anderson’s biggest worry is getting in a habit that he struggled with last season. An Sophomore point game shape and staying away from the trainer’s son shot just 37 percent from the floor an guard room. Howland knows how important Anderpercent from beyond the arc. son’s health and development are to the future of With the top three scorers from a year a UCLA, which touts only three seniors on its roster this season. Josh Shipp, Collison and Alfred Aboya – all gone, UCLA n
(pictured)
Newcomer to keep an eye on: Solomon Hill What they’re saying: “The (NCAA Tournament) streak
is the greatest positive for us right now. Our program takes a back seat to no other.” – coach Sean Miller
Tucson’s top cat: Miller left perennial Atlantic-10 power
Xavier, which was 120-47 in his five seasons, to become just the sixth coach at Arizona in the last 83 years. But even with Miller at the helm, the Wildcats’ 26-year streak of reaching the tourney is in jeopardy. DAILY BRUIN FILE PHOTO
5. Oregon State Beavers
7. Arizona State Sun Devils
6. Oregon Ducks
Last season: (18-18) Key returners: Calvin Haynes, Roeland Schaftenaar (pictured) and Josh Tarver
Newcomer to keep an eye on: Roberto Nelson What they’re saying: “We’re going to be work-
Last season: (8-23) Key returners: Joevan Catron, LeKendric Longmire and
Last season: (25-10) Key returners: Ty Abbott, Derek Glasser and Rihards
Newcomer to keep an eye on: Jamil Wilson What they’re saying: “It will be a sad day. The Pit has been a
Newcomer to keep an eye on: Trent Lockett What they’re saying: “We’re going to have to have differ-
The quack pack is back: Oregon returns each of its five
Feeling the heat: Arizona State’s demise from a legitimate
Tajuan Porter
ing hard to live up to expectations.” – coach Craig Robinson
Rebuilding the dam: Expectations for the Bea-
great home-field advantage for us.” – coach Ernie Kent
vers, who caught a hot streak to claim the College Basketball Invitational tournament championship last season, have been on the rise ever since Robinson and his Princeton-style offense arrived in Corvallis. DAILY BRUIN FILE PHOTO
starters from last season as it gets set to play its final conference season at storied McArthur Court. Much of the Ducks’ success will come from Porter, a 5-foot-7-inch guard who can shoot with the best of them.
Kuksiks
ent guys step up on different nights.” – coach Herb Sendek
conference contender is the perfect example of what can happen when a team loses its leading scorer (James Harden) and leading rebounder (Jeff Pendergraph). The Sun Devils’ roster touts eight freshman newcomers.
SPORTS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009 DAILY BRUIN
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ning the
Show
success has been synonymous with quality coast-to-coast driving layup against Missouri rnament sparked the Bruins to their most reWestwood has seen its fair share of standout rdan Farmar, Darren Collison and current NBA rook paving the way, UCLA point guard Jerime chestrator of this year’s Bruin team.
TIFFANY CHENG/ DA I LY
A new part for Abdul-Hamid After years of use behind the scenes, Bruins may need more from the redshirt junior guard BY ELI SMUKLER
Bruin Sports senior staff esmukler@media.ucla.edu
DAILY BRUIN FILE PHOTO
Jerime Anderson, 2008-present
ense and shooting
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, who st per uring
p shot more know That’s
troke, mpts – ndernd 31
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B R U I N S E N I O R STA F F
Redshirt junior guard Mustafa Abdul-Hamid has been thrust into a much larger role on this year’s squad after walking onto the team as a freshman, and has been awarded a scholarship.
all the scoring it can get. Lee believes Anderson has the tools to be an offensive threat. “He can definitely take more shots,” Lee said. UCLA’s two-game stint in last spring’s NCAA Tournament serves as Anderson’s biggest motivation. He went scoreless while playing a combined 13 minutes in the two rounds. “For most of us that are going to be a key part of this team to be on the bench (during the tournament), I think was good for us,” Anderson said. “We’re better players for that.” That maturity level is something forward Drew Gordon, a fellow sophomore, has noticed. “Jerime is the leader who works hard and doesn’t speak up,” Gordon said. “I have the respect of the guys already,” Anderson said. “I’ve been here for a year, so the seniors know what I’m about.” There’s no question that Anderson is all about being UCLA’s next star point guard. “I want to follow in their footsteps; that’s a no-brainer,” Anderson said.
Mustafa Abdul-Hamid was never supposed to be the key to the UCLA basketball team’s success. For his first three years in Westwood, his job was in large part to push the other players hard during practice in an empty arena, so that they – not he – would be prepared to play hard in front of a stadium at full capacity. Four of those guards Abdul-Hamid played against every day in practice have gone on to fulfill NBA aspirations. Now, at the start of what seems the most unpredictable season in recent history for the Bruins, the former walk-on has been given the opportunity to ditch the practice jersey and share the same spotlight his former teammates did. “You can’t replace that kind of experience at the end of the game, where your legs are completely shot,” he said after starting in the Bruins’ first exhibition game this year. “When there’s 6,000 people there and the expectation of your peers and your school ... you got to give it your all and you got to play defense.” Abdul-Hamid had never played more than 11 minutes in a game at UCLA, but over the course of one night, he gained a season’s worth of perspective. With its recent exodus of players to the professional ranks, UCLA has been left with a scarcity of point guards on campus, so almost as a matter of necessity, coach Ben Howland laid out his mandate for Abdul-Hamid before the season began. “There’s no doubt in my mind that Mustafa will be thrusted into games this year for one reason or another – whether it’s foul trouble or whatever – that are going to be big games,” he said. A trial run for one of those big games came much sooner than anyone thought. When UCLA’s starting point guard, sophomore Jerime Anderson, suffered a groin injury that forced him to miss the first two weeks of practice, AbdulHamid, whose 82 minutes of career court time had generally come during the final minutes of landslide victories, was the only one left to quarterback his team’s offense. Abdul-Hamid’s first ever collegiate start came against Concordia on Nov. 4. With Anderson on the bench in a sport coat and sweater, the intense spotlight of the UCLA basketball program was firmly
8. Washington State Cougars
on Abdul-Hamid’s white jersey for two 20-minute tional stability, but Abdul-Hamid has tried to stick halves. to a constant philosophy since day one. At best, his performance was hard-fought; at “I looked at (my role then) the same way I do now: worst, it was terrifying to watch. For Abdul-Hamid, I’m a very good player and I’m going to be starting it was just reality. the next game,” he said. “Even though it wasn’t “You’re thrust into a situation, you have no other true then, and it probably won’t be true now, that’s options, no choice,” he said. “You have to kind of how I look at it. I look at it as I’m preparing to lead man up and say, ‘you’ve got to find a way.’” this team and try to win the next game whether it’s The Bruins trailed for most of the game against Humboldt State or whether it’s KU (No. 1-ranked an opponent that plays in the small-school NAIA Kansas).” conference. The turnovers piled up to further cripNo doubt the product of his years on the practice ple a tepid offense – Abdul-Hamid committed seven squad, he spoke of a dichotomous attitude that has by himself. allowed him to compete at the highest personal level But with 16 seconds left, he nailed a three-pointer despite a position that often lacks constant reward. to save face and give UCLA the 62-61 victory. “I think you have to be able to hold those two “It felt good to get the heck out of there,” he said. ideas in your mind at the same time,” he said. “You Bruin fans were officially put on edge by the Con- have to be able to say, ‘You know what, I’m good cordia debacle. Losing an exhibition contest would enough to be the starting guard. I believe in myself. have been out of the question for a school with 11 I’m confident,’ but at the same time realize that I’m NCAA championships. not going to play, so I have to go work harder and Much of the blame was directed at the lack of a harder.” steady hand leading the offense and specifically to With such a young team, the outcome of UCLA’s Abdul-Hamid, who played 36 minutes of the game. season will rely – more so than usual – on indi“I’m not going to sit here and tell you I was vidual player improvement. Abdul-Hamid’s work not fatigued,” he said. “Our entire ethic remains a prime example for his team was very fatigued. I think that teammates to follow, especially now “When there’s that he is being put to his toughest showed.” The responsibility for the near-loss task yet. 6,000 people was further highlighted by a reversal “It starts in practice,” he said. “It’s of fortune in UCLA’s 17-point defeat of there ... you got to an attitude. It’s a mentality. Little Humboldt State last Tuesday, in which things: getting on the floor, competthe outcome was heavily influenced give it your all.” ing to win in every drill, and not takby the return of Anderson and senior MUSTAFA ABDUL- ing any play off.” off-guard Michael Roll to the starting As a high school senior from St. HAMID backcourt. Louis, Abdul-Hamid turned down Abdul-Hamid played just two min- Redshirt junior guard an acceptance from Harvard for an utes against Humboldt, with Anderson opportunity to play at UCLA. Before and fellow sophomore Malcolm Lee coming here, Howland told him he handling the ball for a great majority might find him a scholarship eventuof the night. After the game, Howland made it clear ally, but he could not hand out any guarantees. that the considerable number of minutes allotted to Sure enough, Abdul-Hamid earned it by his Abdul-Hamid against Concordia would not be the junior year. norm, but that unfavorable circumstances could “It means something in terms of earning the always catch up with the team again. respect of your teammates, and in terms of earning If ever there was a season where that would occur, the respect of the community,” he said. it seems to be this one, given that eight players on “He’s worked very hard,” Howland said. “He’s a the roster have already missed time with injury or great kid and I’m really proud of him.” sickness. Abdul-Hamid’s greatest value may not be as the “I’m not looking at him necessarily every night to Bruins’ starting point guard, but with a season that play a certain amount of minutes,” said Howland of appears prime for instability, it is his attitude that Abdul-Hamid. “But he’s going to end up playing in could prove to be one of the team’s most indispensimportant games. He’s going to be relied upon when able assets. we get in foul trouble, in the backcourt especially “Coach always talks about to play hard is a skill because we’re thin right now.” that very, very few people have and I think that’s an Such a swing in responsibility and playing time important skill that I’ve developed,” he said. has all the power to dislodge a player from emo“I’ve got to put it into use.”
9. USC Trojans
10. Stanford Cardinal
Last season: (17-16) Key returners: DeAngelo Casto, Nikola Koprivica and Klay Thompson Newcomer to keep an eye on: Xavier Thames What they’re saying: “We do have Klay Thompson.” – coach Ken
Last season: (22-13) Key returners: Dwight Lewis, Donte Smith and Leonard Washington Newcomer to keep an eye on: Alex Stepheson What they’re saying: “As Dwight Lewis goes, we’ll go.” – coach
Last season: (20-14) Key returners: Jeremy Green, Landry Fields and Josh Owens Newcomer to keep an eye on: Gabriel Harris What they’re saying: “Our young players are at a time where they’re
The Bone Collector: Bone, who worked under Romar at Washing-
The Trojan Horse: That would be Lewis, USC’s leading scorer last
The cardinal Cardinal: Dawkins thinks that Fields is as good a player
Bone
ton, takes over for the departed Tony Bennett. Gone too are staples Taylor Rochestie and Aron Baynes – meaning Thompson, a Pac-10 All-Freshman team selection last season, is the unquestioned leader of this young squad.
Kevin O’Neill
season. Like other conference teams, the Trojans weren’t left with much after the departures of DeMar DeRozan and Taj Gibson. Even coach Tim Floyd jumped ship. But Lewis should be this team’s Mr. Everything.
ready to make contributions. They’re prepared.” – coach Johnny Dawkins as there is in the Pac-10, and after losing four seniors, the Cardinal will need him to be. Fields, a captain on this year’s team, averaged more than 12 points and led Stanford with nearly seven rebounds per game last season.
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DAILY BRUIN MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009
HOWLAND from page 1
Does the high level of youth and inexperience make this season potentially one of the most challenging Howland has had? In a word, no. “Every year is a challenge,” Howland said. “This year we’re very young, and because of that we have a lot of growing to do. We got six games coming up in 13 days. It’s really not the ideal thing for a young team.” That stretch begins tonight at 9 against Cal State Fullerton at Pauley Pavilion. Starting for the Bruins will be Lee, sophomore point guard Jerime Anderson, senior guard/forward Michael Roll, senior forward Nikola Dragovic and sophomore forward Drew Gordon. Roll is the lone Bruin player left from that 2005 team that made a magical run to the championship game in Indianapolis, and while he admits that every team is different, he believes in what this year’s Bruin team is capable of. “We definitely have good talent to get there,” Roll said. When asked if he saw any similarities between the two teams, Howland was quick to point out the NBA talent of the 2005 team. Six players from that team have spent time playing in the NBA – Jordan Farmar, Darren Collison, Arron Aff lalo, Ryan
Hollins, Cedric Bozeman and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. While Howland noted that he does not know what the NBA-level talent of his current team is, he emphasized the high amount of confidence he has in his players. “When guys get the opportunity to come in, they’re going to take advantage of it,” Howland said. One player who will be counted on to run the Bruins’ offense is Anderson, taking over for the departed Collison. Anderson has already had to overcome an injury to his groin, which forced him to sit out a number of practices and the Bruins’ opening exhibition game against Concordia. In that game, a thrilling 62-61 win for the Bruins, the lack of a stable and steadying presence at point guard was noticeable as the Bruins failed to execute many of their offensive sets. In his first game back against Humboldt State last week, Anderson gave the Bruins that level of fluidity, scoring nine points and dishing out two assists while committing just two turnovers. Now completely healthy, Anderson does not want to use injury as an excuse why this team may struggle at the beginning of the season. “I think we’re definitely ready,” Anderson said. “All teams have injuries, all teams have adversities to go through, and I’m sure we’re going to have more injuries during the season and more adversity to go through. Once we get on that floor, none of that matters, and it’s just what we do
BASKETBALL PREVIEW between those lines.” Lee is also expected to step up offensively. With dependable scorers Collison, Josh Shipp and Jrue Holiday now gone, Lee will need to improve upon the 3.2 points per game average he amassed in 29 games last season. After a summer spent in the gym and running the Santa Monica dunes, Lee, who Howland considers to be the most conditioned player, said he is prepared to play at the next level this season. “I feel that I can bring intensity on both sides of the floor,” Lee said. “We have a lot of established players that are gone so we’re going to have to have players step up this year, and I feel that I’m one of the players that has to step up and take control as leadership as well as my play. I just feel that we’re going to have to do all the stuff starting in practice to get where we want to go.” The Bruins say they want to go back to the top of the Pac-10, a place that until recently had been their domain. Yet after their first exhibition game in which the team needed a late 3-pointer by junior Mustafa Abdul-Hamid to hold off Concordia, some of the Bruin players realized how difficult it may be to achieve that goal. “We came out and didn’t perform as well as we’d like to,” Gordon said. “Obviously people kind of secondguessed our team, coming as underdogs this year. But it’s going to be a good season because we’re going to be able to prove a lot of people wrong.”
Men’s basketball season preview BY ELI SMUKLER
Bruin Sports senior staff
O
esmukler@media.ucla.edu
ver the last two seasons, the UCLA men’s basketball team has played three regular season games against nonconference opponents ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. This season, the team will most likely play five games of that type in the span of three weeks. “The nonconference (schedule) that we’re playing this year is probably the toughest we’ve played that I can remember since I’ve been here,” coach Ben Howland said. For a young team that is struggling to catch up after a preseason chock-full of injuries, the Bruins will be playing against teams that are more experienced and probably more polished than they will have a chance to be. The Bruins’ test is twofold. Holding their own against some of the nation’s best will be difficult, but using these games as early opportunities to mature will be infinitely more important. Here are the most important dates on UCLA’s schedule from now until New Year’s:
TIFFANY CHENG/ DA I LY
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The men’s basketball team faces tough competition in its nonconference games.
Nov. 26-29: 76 Classic (Anaheim Convention Center)
The Bruins will open with Portland on Thanksgiving night. The Pilots return all but one player from last year’s team that upset Washington early last season. The next night, the Bruins will probably meet their first ranked challenge of the season. Both possible opponents – Minnesota and Butler – are coming off NCAA Tournament appearances. The Golden Gophers return their top nine scorers, and some have the mid-major Bulldogs as a dark horse for the Final Four. The Bruins are guaranteed a third game of the weekend, and, with the stacked lineup of teams in this field, it will probably be equally as challenging. No. 8 West Virginia is a title contender from the alwayspowerful Big East, No. 24 Clemson is looking to make moves on the ACC elite, and Texas A&M has some gaps to fill but has enough talent to make a return trip to the postseason. A Bruin victory in this round would look great on an NCAA Tournament résumé regardless of the opponent.
Dec. 6: Kansas (Pauley Pavilion)
If the Jayhawks can survive the first month of the season, the Bruins would welcome their first top-ranked team to Westwood since 2004 on this date. Kansas touts two of the five Preseason All-Americans in junior center Cole Aldrich and senior guard Sherron Collins, but doesn’t really have much drop-off after that. With all its starters returning, there are plenty of reasons why this team is a favorite to cut down the nets in early April. Any kind of close game should probably be considered a moral victory for the upstart Bruins.
Dec. 19: Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.)
The Bruins’ one and only venture outside of Southern California during the nonconference season will be no vacation. Player of the Year candidate Luke Harangody of Notre Dame is still around and definitely hoping to improve on his 2-for-12 performance at Pauley last year. UCLA’s bigs will need to step up their interior defense if they want any chance to take home a win.
Dec. 12: Mississippi State (Honda Center, Anaheim)
The No. 18 Bulldogs just lost to unranked Rider Broncs, but they are still waiting for the paperwork to clear on 6-foot-10-inch, 260-pound Fairfax High School graduate Renardo Sidney. Whether or not the NCAA allows Sidney to play, MSU still has senior forward Jarvis Varnado, who averaged a whopping 4.7 blocks per game in addition to leading the team in points and rebounds.
BASKETBALL PREVIEW
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009 DAILY BRUIN
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Freshmen look to improve and lead team with toughness BY KENDALL SALTER
Bruin Sports senior staff ksalter@media.ucla.edu
MAYA SUGARMAN/ DA I LY
B R U I N S E N I O R STA F F
Malcolm Lee looks to be a key player in the Bruins’ offense this year.
Bruins rush into regular season after rough start
BY ANDREW HOWARD
Bruin Sports senior staff ahoward@media.ucla.edu
After a preseason filled with injuries, missed practice time, and two overall uninspiring exhibition games, the 2009-2010 BASKETBALL UC L A men’s Today, 9 p.m. b a s k e t b a l l v. Cal State season begins Fullerton tonight. Pauley Pavilion In a hurry, at that. Tonight the Bruins begin a stretch of six g a m e s i n 13 days with a nationally televised game against Cal State Fullerton at Pauley Pavilion. “We better be ready, because it’s coming,” Howland said. “There’s a lot of action coming up here in a short amount of time.” Tonight the Bruins will have their hands full with a supremely athletic Fullerton squad looking to make the most of playing a nationally televised game on ESPN. Titan sophomore point guard Jacques Streeter, who started all 32 games last season as a true freshman, will look to make things difficult for a UCLA team that struggled with dribble penetration in the two exhibition games. “We’re still having a problem defending the dribble,” Howland said. “That’s an important thing, especially going to a Fullerton game which has on their team a bunch of really good athletes who can really break you down off the dribble.” The Bruin defense, typically a strength of Howland-coached teams, was not up to the level it has been the past few seasons. The Bruins allowed Concordia to shoot 45.3 percent from the field, including 48.3 percent in the first half. Not surprisingly, defense was the topic of conversation for the Bruins in the week leading up to tonight’s season opener. “C oach Howla nd is a rea l defense-oriented guy and of course we’re not up to the standards where he – or we – want to be at,” sophomore guard Malcolm Lee said. As the season progresses, Howland said that the team will start doubling the post, something the Bruins did not do against Humboldt State and were hurt by it. Starting tonight, the Bruins hope that the lone returning starter from last season, senior forward Nikola Dragovic, can find his shot. Relied on last season to hit from behind the 3-point arch, Dragovic had trouble making shots in the two exhibition games, making just six-of-23 shots, including just threeof-11 from 3-point range. “He’s definitely got to play better for us for our team to have success,” Howland said. Sophomore point guard Jerime Anderson, who made his season debut against Humboldt State and said his injured groin is healthy, said the two subpar exhibition games were the result of a having not played together for a long time. “I think we showed a little rust out there,” Anderson said. The play of the freshmen will be another question for a young UCLA team trying to overcome the loss of five players to the NBA in the last two seasons. Freshman forward Tyler Honeycutt will be out for three to four weeks with a stress reaction in his foot, opening up opportunities for the other four – Reeves Nelson, Brendan Lane, Mike Moser, and Anthony Stover – to gain playing time. Howland believes there is a simple formula for the freshmen to follow if they wish to see extended minutes on the court. “For me, I just want those freshmen coming in to play good defense and let the game come to them offensively,” Howland said. Tonight the journey begins. If this young Bruin squad hopes to shed the rebuilding-year tag, it must get off to a fast start in the first two weeks of the season. “We’re definitely ready,” senior Michael Roll said. “This is good for us, just everybody get out there that’s going to be playing during the games, get on the same page.”
Mariah Williams was getting an earful. She listened calmly as a coach pointed out her mistakes, challenged her toughness and implored her to play with more effort. Williams nodded, got set in her stance, and spent the next defensive set darting across the floor after her man, hounding the scout team member as she dribbled the ball on the perimeter. It is this kind of mentality that leads coach Nikki Caldwell to believe that the Bruins have a future star on their hands in Williams, the small but spectacular point guard out of Colorado Springs. “Mariah brings an intangible to the game,” Caldwell said. “She is one of our hardest working kids and has a toughness about her.” These are highly valued qualities for Caldwell, who prides herself on instilling an attitude of toughness and moxie into her team, while imploring them to constantly give maximum effort on the defensive end of the floor. Despite this, Williams’ mistakes in practice were met by constant coaching and some frustration. It is all for the purpose of learning, however, because UCLA will
look to Williams to contribute significant minutes this season. “We’re challenging her to rebound here with us,” Caldwell said of her tough-love methods. “She’s not a quitter, and she will come back and try to do it right the next time.” For her part, Williams knows that she has a long way to go to improve her play. “The biggest difference between high school and college basketball is the speed of the game,” Williams said following Wednesday’s practice. “You have to learn on the court, be on your toes. There’s no time for mental lapses.” Junior guard Doreena Campbell described Williams as a “fireball,” a player who exudes energy at all times. It is this tenacity that makes Williams a perfect fit into Caldwell’s system. As for personal goals, the freshman guard is looking to make a significant impact from the outset. “My first year here, I’m going to try and be a leader, on the court and in the classroom. I want to bring competitiveness and tough-nosed defense,” Williams said. “I want to be the person that my team can look to for leadership.” Williams chose UCLA primarily because of her favorable view of the coaching staff, which makes an effort to implement a winning attitude. “I felt a really good connection with
the coaching staff. I could go to them whether it be basketball or life-related,” Williams said. The other freshman is standout forward Markel Walker. An All-American high school player from Philadelphia, Walker provides a prominent physical and athletic presence for a team lacking in significant size. Walker’s versatility made her a highly soughtafter recruit, and Caldwell knows that her presence will provide numerous offensive and defensive benefits. “Markel is definitely going to be an integral part to this team,” Caldwell said. “She brings a versatility where she can play and defend the 1-5. She is a great athlete, a lot of potential on both ends of the floor.” Walker knows that she and Williams still have room for improvement and must learn quickly for UCLA to be successful, especially with such a tough schedule looming. “We have to get better,” Walker said following an exhibition game on Nov. 9. “There are some things that I need to correct.” Walker, however, is very excited to finally get out on the floor for UCLA. She said that she got dressed more than an hour before tipoff in her first game in a Bruin uniform. Caldwell thinks that Walker will become a crucial piece of her team as
DIXON | Guard getting a fresh start from page 3 ing on the East Coast, as well as playing under a traditionally hard-nosed coach in Stringer, Dixon is happy to be back in her home state and under the tutelage of Bruin coach Nikki Caldwell. “I would say coach Nikki is a little more relaxed and more understanding versus coach Stringer,” Dixon said. “Don’t get me wrong – both are great coaches. Coach Stringer’s in the Hall of Fame. I just feel that coach Nikki gets me a lot more than coach Stringer did, so it’s easier.” A nd Ca ldwel l was not shy in expressing her excitement over having a player as talented as her newly acquired sophomore guard. “I think we’re going to be a better team with Dixon in the rotation just because she’s a player,” Caldwell said. “She can defend, she can (rebound), she can score; she brings a toughness to the game. She’s somebody who’s going to be a great addition to our team.” Despite her immense success on the court, Dixon explained that although she loves basketball, she also used the sport as a means of separating herself from the distractions in her hometown of Long Beach, distractions that affected some of those close to her. “It kept my mind focused on one thing so I never had time to get caught up in the negativity that is around Long Beach,” Dixon said. “My dad was a perfect example. He never hung with the right group of people so he ended up going down the wrong path. But he’s always tried to keep me on the right path so I wouldn’t go down the same road he did.” Dixon certainly created a posi-
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tive path for herself throughout to play her at multiple positions. high school, but the Rutgers transfer “I’m going to really challenge Jasunderstands that her past accom- mine to not take a possession off,” plishments are just that, and she Caldwell added. “If she can do that, hopes to achieve new feats in her she’s going to be a great player to renewed college career. watch, not only in the Pac-10 but “Basically from high school to col- nationally.” lege, you’re starting over,” Dixon said. Talk about setting the bar high. “It’s like I have a clean slate.” But Dixon said that she is prepared Although Dixon’s experience at to take on the challenges of being a Rutgers may not have leader for this team, and been what she hoped the sophomore is confif o r, t h e s o p h o m o r e “I’m not going dent that she can meet said that she was able the expectations of her to take some valuable in thinking I’m new coach. lessons away from her “We’ve had meetings better than short stint playing colprior to this season, and lege basketball, one of anybody. I’m we both agreed that ... which was becoming doi ng ever y t h i ng to just Jasmine.” help the team win will acclimated to the rigors of being a college athbe my role,” Dixon said. JASMINE DIXON lete as opposed to a high And for the Bruin Sophomore guard school athlete. team as a whole, Dixon “The main difference is optimistic that this is more ded icat ion,” UCLA squad has the Dixon said. “When you’re in college ability to make a run for the Pac-10 you have no free time, just basketball crown and wreak some havoc in the and school. In high school it was just NCAA Tournament. for fun, it wasn’t a job. There’s more “I think we can accomplish it competition now, and everybody is all, one step at a time,” Dixon said. equal.” “We’ve got a lot of talent. We have But Caldwell, who played on a younger players and older players, national championship team and was and everyone is really good. Hopeassistant coach for another, believes fully we can win the Pac-10 first and that Dixon has the ability to set her- then go into the tournament.” self away from the pack, and the coach Above all, Dixon is aware that she will be asking a lot of the sophomore is lucky to have a second chance. And guard the minute she dons a Bruin judging by her demeanor, the sophojersey. more is humbled by her new oppor“Her primary role is going to be tunity and does not want it to go to to do it all on both ends of the floor,” waste. Caldwell said. “On the offensive end, “I’m going in to hopefully make I’m playing her all over the floor. She’s my name,” Dixon said. “It might hapinside, she’s outside, she’s got a pull- pen this year, it might not happen up jumper, she shoots the three, she this year, but I’m not going in thinkslices, she cuts. Jasmine just brings a ing I’m better than anybody. I’m just versatility to our team that allows us Jasmine.”
TIFFANY CHENG/ DA I LY
B R U I N S E N I O R STA F F
Freshman point guard Mariah Williams gives the 2009-2010 Bruin squad some youthful energy and athleticism.
the season progresses, and Caldwell is excited to see what Walker will bring to the floor. “She is somebody who can take the ball off the glass and start the break for us,” Caldwell said. “We’re going to keep harping on her to understand that she is going to have to be more skilled.
She’s a smart individual.” Amid extremely high expectations, Walker and Williams are looking to be successful in their first season in Westwood. The future of Bruin basketball is looking up. “We have to improve, but we’ll be good,” Walker said.
SEASON | Working on defense after loss of players from page 3 bell said. “She knows what it will take for us to get over that hump.” Although the Bruins improved on their record last season and reached the semi-finals of the Pac-10 Tournament, UCLA’s absence in the NCAA Tournament still lingered in the minds of many players, especially the more experienced members of the team. That mindset was carried over into Caldwell’s decision to decline a possible invitation to the WNIT, a tournament for teams that do not make it into the NCAA tourney, showing that it was NCAA or bust for this team. “Last year was a successful season in some ways, but we didn’t get to the tournament,” Campbell said. “So it may have seemed good, but it really wasn’t. We really want to get to that tournament.” With the loss of center Chinyere Ibekwe to graduation, the Bruins are a smaller squad and require increased focus on the defensive end and a great effort on the boards to make their first tourney appearance since 2006. “The main focuses are help defense and rebounding,” Campbell said about size concerns. “We don’t have a choice. You just have to rebound.” Caldwell agreed with her point guard’s assessment. “We’re not going to be one of the tallest teams in the country, but we can still be one of the more aggressive attacking teams,” Caldwell said. “The question is: How hard are we going to play this game? That’s an intangible that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet. How effectively can we defend?”
“Our focal point is to force you out of your action,” Caldwell added. “We want to be disruptive in that manner, and that will force the other team to make plays out of broken plays.” On the offensive end, the Bruins are still looking for a go-to scorer. There are potential game-breakers littered throughout the UCLA roster, including Campbell, a secondteam All-Pac 10 honoree last year, and Darxia Morris, another junior guard who had a break-out campaign last year. “We want to teach (Morris) how to be a great scorer for this team, and the way she can do that is not necessarily to shoot the basketball,” Caldwell said. “Sometimes that’s a hard sell for a young lady who is very talented, but she’s done a great job in making those strides to be that kind of player.” Senior Erica Tukiainen, an experienced sharpshooter, can hit big shots in the closing moments of tight games. Though acknowledging the importance of hitting open shots, Tukiainen remains focused on her role as a leader on this young squad and improving her defense. Caldwell hopes that a team-first mentality guides the Bruins to new heights as they face a considerable challenge in a powerful conference. “I c a n t h i n k t hat UCL A c a n become a team that can be respected nationally each year, and each recruiting year we’re going to go out and sign the best class we can,” she said. “Winning a Pac-10 Championship and getting into postseason play is just a destination point. Our goals every day need to be based on what we’re achieving in practice.”
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DAILY BRUIN MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009
BASKETBALL PREVIEW