Wears lead impressive first half-effort
Playing without center Joshua Smith - out with a concussion suffered in Wednesday's practice - UCLA was down yet another body. A big one.
The Wear brothers made up for his absence.
Travis Wear had 12 points and David Wear eight in the first half as UCLA took a 37-30 lead.
The Bruins are working at both ends, shooting 53 percent while holding Arizona to just 31 percent shooting, and UCLA has displayed some fine interior passing.
Jerime Anderson added seven first-half points and Lazeric Jones chipped in six, while Jesse Perry (eight points) and Josiah Turner (seven) led Arizona.
Sorry...not a fan of Zeke Jones.
Bruins look like a much better team without Smith.
I hate to say it, but I agree the team looks better with out Smith in the lineup. On offense -- they were a bit faster and more athletic. On defense -- it wasn't even close. The Wears (and Lane) can simply get back on D faster and into position, and they seemed to work HARDER on D. Just more effort all around.
Maybe Smith becomes a role player who comes off the bench when needed until he gets himself into shape?
Btw, does UCLA provide their starters with access to nutritionists and personal trainers to get them into shape (at least in the off-season)? What am I missing here? Smith could become a draft pick and make MILLIONS if he'd simply get himself into better shape. He's got great skills and a great head for the game.
So Smith takes a knee to the head and doesn't play and we beat a pretty good Arizona team? What am I missing here? Maybe somebody should give him a knee to the head whenever he goes back for seconds at the training table.