Freshman plays with the big boys

Monday, January 25, 1999

Freshman plays with the big boys

BASKETBALL: Better judgment aside, Ray Young starts against
Cardinals, proves himself worthy

By Brent Boyd

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There were many reasons that Ray Young
shouldn’t have started Saturday against Louisville.

First of all, Dan Gadzuric – the starter who needed to be
replaced – stands at 6 feet, 10 inches tall, or 7 inches taller
than Young.

Secondly, the Bruins were already starting two freshmen, on the
road against a ranked opponent in front of the largest crowd UCLA
has seen all season – the exact type of game that a team needs
veteran leadership to win, head coach Steve Lavin has claimed all
season long.

And finally, in Young’s only other start of the season, he was
inconsistent and made poor decisions (he was two of eight from the
field) in his 18 minutes of play. By the way, the Bruins lost that
contest, 65-63, to Oregon State.

For all of these reasons, Young shouldn’t have even been
considered for the position in the starting lineup that was vacated
due to Gadzuric’s sprained ankle.

But, evidence be damned, the freshman guard started. And,
evidence be damned, he played a major role in the Bruins’ 82-70
victory over Louisville.

"I thought Young played as good of a game defensively as I’ve
seen him play all season," Lavin said. "He did a great job
deflecting and denying the ball." In a game that featured several
individual outstanding performances by Bruins, Young’s certainly
was the best defensively.

He played all 20 minutes of the second half – at one time or
another, he guarded five different Cardinals – and the only basket
scored on him was a three-pointer by Eric Johnson. And that was
with a hand in his face. Young guarded 6 foot, 7 inch forward Tony
Williams for five minutes in the second half, and defended 6 foot,
6 inch forward Nate Johnson for six more. At times, he also
defended guards Cameron Murray and Marques Maybin.

The result for all four were the same – zero points. Whether
they be forwards or guards, whether they be tall and strong or
short and quick. It didn’t matter, They couldn’t do anything
against Young.

"It doesn’t really matter to me who I guard," Young said. "In
practice, I guard against (guards) Baron Davis and Earl Watson and
(forwards) Matt Barnes and JaRon Rush. It doesn’t matter what
position I guard, I just need to bring energy to the defensive
side."

Count Davis – who can make even the best of defenders look
helpless — as one of Young’s fans.

"Defensively, he’s great. He’s real tough defensively," he
said.

"He’s tough. Him and (Watson) are the toughest defenders on the
team. Today he played awesome." He’s in there to play defense, and
if he plays that many minutes, it means he is playing solid – if
not tremendous – defense. "Coming to UCLA, I knew defense is what
would keep me in the game," Young said.

And if he keeps playing defense this well, it will be hard to
keep him on the bench. And the only reason not to start him would
be that only five players are allowed on the court at once.

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