Men’s Basketball Notebook

Lavin’s post-game comment

In Tuesday’s weekly press conference, there was a lot of
fuss about a comment UCLA head coach Steve Lavin made after his
team’s 88-63 loss to Arizona.

In Saturday’s post-game press conference, Lavin said,
“Earl Watson picks up his fourth foul and the game was pretty
much over.”

When Watson received his fourth foul, there were 18 minutes left
in the game and UCLA was up by eight. A local beat writer asked if
Lavin had given up on his team and the game at that moment in the
game.

“Are you kidding?” Lavin replied. “Is this a
comedy routine?

“I hope you’re kidding. Wow, I don’t know
where to begin on that one.”

Lavin said he made the comment only in an attempt to evaluate
why his team lost.

“After the game was lost people were asking what do you
think the reasons were that you lost,” he said. “So I
respond as logically as I can in a linear fashion, with
Earl’s fourth foul it might have been a critical
juncture.”

Watson doubtful for Thursday

UCLA senior guard Earl Watson has started an amazing 112
consecutive games.

That streak might be in jeopardy this Thursday as the team
listed him as doubtful for the Oregon State game.

Watson remains in severe pain after he fell on his right hip
against Arizona State. X-rays taken on Monday came back
negative.

The point guard didn’t practice on Monday and only shot
around in Tuesday’s practice.

Nevertheless, it wouldn’t surprise Lavin to see Watson on
the court on Thursday.

“For me I always assume that by game time somehow that
he’ll be out there,” he said.

“But if there is a game he’d miss, it’s
probably this Thursday, if there ever was one.”

Point guard by committee

If Watson can’t go on Thursday, Lavin says he’ll
interchange senior Ryan Bailey, senior Jason Flowers and sophomore
Jason Kapono at the point.

At 6-foot-7 Kapono might be the most interesting selection. With
his height he has the advantage of seeing over the defense.

The “P” Word

Rick Pitino, who two weeks ago was rumored to be considering
taking over the UCLA head coaching position, will work for CBS
during the NCAA basketball tournament as both a courtside and
studio analyst.

The position is just temporary. Pitino, who coached at Kentucky,
wants to get back into college basketball.

“Nothing against pro basketball, but college basketball is
what I’m considering now,” Pitino told USA Today.
“I just want an opportunity to recruit great athletes and
win. The climate doesn’t matter.”

Good grades

UCLA sports information announced this week that two Bruins made
the 2000 Fall Quarter Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

Sophomore center John Hoffart, who is sitting out this season
after transferring from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, and sophomore
forward Spencer Gloger, who is also not eligible after transferring
from Princeton, finished with GPAs between 3.0 and 3.49.

In addition, it was announced that UCLA’s four seniors
(Bailey, Watson, Flowers and Rico Hines) and junior Billy Knight
are all on track to graduate this June.

Notes compiled by Chris Umpierre, Daily Bruin Staff.