Bozeman to come off the bench until knee recovers

By Greg Schain
Daily Bruin Reporter

Before the season, Cedric Bozeman’s arrival was as hyped
as the “Harry Potter” movie.

But in the first game of the regular season against Houston at
the Maui Invitational, the McDonald’s All-American sustained
a torn meniscus in his knee and, although he continued playing the
next few games, never looked like the player he was advertised to
be.

Bozeman returned to the court this weekend, playing seven
minutes on Friday against Washington and 13 on Sunday against
Washington State.

In Friday’s game Bozeman looked quick and in control of
the offense, scoring six points, adding a rebound and an assist. He
was quieter on Sunday, credited with just two points and three
assists.

Despite his modest statistics, Bozeman feels he took a big step
toward reaching his potential in his first two games back.

“I’m starting to get back into the flow of
things,” he said. “I’m knocking some of this rust
off of me.”

Bozeman said he is playing at 85 percent. He said he feels no
pain on the court, and only lacks the endurance he had before the
injury.

Senior guard Rico Hines, who had the same injury as Bozeman last
year, said the endurance will come back as he sees more playing
time.

“It’s gonna take Cedric some time,” Hines
said. “You don’t sit out in basketball for four weeks
and then come back (at 100 percent). I told him to take his time
and be patient with himself.”

Bozeman will play off the bench until he feels completely
healthy. In the meanwhile, Rico Hines and Dijon Thompson, who have
been playing solidly in his absence, will continue to see increased
playing time.

The formula seems to be working. UCLA was just 2-2 when Bozeman
started, but is 9-0 since he became sidelined.

So will head coach Steve Lavin continue playing Bozeman off the
bench, even when he is back to 100 percent?

No. He said Bozeman will return to the starting lineup soon.

“Hopefully we’ll have him back to full strength in
four to six weeks,” Lavin said. “But it could be in
three to four weeks if we’re lucky.”

Bozeman thinks he might be ready to return even sooner.

“I think I’m ready,” he said. “I
don’t know when I’ll be back in the starting lineup
though. I’m waiting.”

Before Bozeman returns, he needs to sure up his ball handling.
He committed four turnovers against WSU, including consecutive
travelling calls in the first half.

But Bozeman isn’t too worried about the blunders.

“I’m fine,” he said. “I had a good week
of practice and I’m getting ready for next week.”