Men’s Hoops Notebook

Motion offense gives Bruins a lift

The motion offense didn’t always work for UCLA in the
past, but it did this past Saturday at Stanford.

After failing to score 80 or more points in nine consecutive
games, the Bruins employed their simpler motion offense and
registered 95 points in their win over the Cardinal. The new scheme
especially benefitted the team’s younger players, who
didn’t have to worry about specific offensive
assignments.

“It’s a little more free,” freshman point
guard Cedric Bozeman said. “I’m still learning the set
offense. I’m still learning how to pick spots and get people
involved. With the motion, it’s a little more wide
open.”

Another benefit of the motion offense, head coach Steve Lavin
said, is that since it spreads his players out more, it clears
space for center Dan Gadzuric in the paint.

Still, Lavin doesn’t play to abandon the 1-4 set offense
his team has used most season.

“We tore up Kansas with the 1-4 and we ruffled Alabama
with the 1-4,” he said. “There’s a value of
having both in your arsenal. You can adjust to different matchups
with a wide range of opponents.”

Even in the Stanford game, Lavin said, the Bruins combined the
two offensive styles. For the first 23 to 25 seconds of their
offensive possession, Lavin said, UCLA ran the motion. If the
Bruins could not get a shot off in that time, they switched to the
1-4, which the Cardinal were not prepared to defend.

Thompson might miss a game

Freshman guard Dijon Thompson, who hit his left knee on the
floor in the second half of the Stanford game, said before
Tuesday’s practice that he may skip Thursday’s contest
against Oregon State.

Thompson, who has been receiving treatment on his knee from team
trainers, is yet to see a doctor.

He was scheduled for a full practice Tuesday but wasn’t
sure if he would be ready to face the Beavers at Pauley Pavilion
later this week.

“It’s a bruise on the inside (of the knee),”
Thompson said. “It’s the tendon, I think. It hurts,
that’s all I know.”

When asked if he had ever suffered a similar injury, Thompson
responded, “Not this bad.”

Thompson, naturally, was disappointed by the timing of his
injury. After struggling for the past two months, Thompson had a
breakout performance at Stanford, scoring 13 points.

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot,”
Thompson said. “But Rico (Hines) has been there telling me
about injuries and stuff, so I feel better.”

Compiled by Dylan Hernandez, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.