Howland: 'I thought we did a really good job against them defensively'

The Bruins were traveling most of the day between Tempe and Tucson in advance of Sunday’s game against Arizona, but Coach Ben Howland took some time off from film study to speak with reporters this afternoon.

Asked about UCLA’s streak of seven straight wins over the Wildcats, he said, "Things go in cycles; I don’t look at anything except tomorrow’s game. What I know is this is a very important game for both teams. They need it to ensure that they’re going to get at least a 9-9 record and hopefully 10-8. . . . We want to try and win the conference and ensure that we’re going to get a high seed in the NCAAs. I know that both teams will be sky-high and very motivated."

Although he noted that the schedule was not the reason UCLA lost its last Sunday game at Washington, Howland did change the schedule this time. "We’re going to practice tomorrow; we’re not going to be sitting around all day," he said. "We won’t go long, but we’re going to . . . get prepared for them. Today’s an off day for us, essentially, which I hope will help us a little more mentally." The Bruins practiced on the Friday after the win at Washington State earlier in the month.

Other highlights:

>> About UCLA’s 82-60 win over Arizona at Pauley Pavilion on Feb. 2, Howland remembered that "I thought we did a really good job against them defensively and that helped our offense get started. That was our best weekend. We played great against Arizona State, and our players obviously have great respect for Arizona and their program and their tradition, so I knew our guys were really up for that game. I remember Luc [Richard Mbah A Moute] sprained his ankle and that was the unfortunate part of that game."

>> Howland said he thought that interim Arizona Coach Kevin O’Neill has done a good job in trying circumstances. "I think Kevin’s doing a really good job and it’s a tough break anytime you lose one of your key guys to injury — we’ve done that — when you lose more than one, it’s even more difficult. [Bret] Brielmaier has been in and out of there, and Nick Wise obviously has been a big hit for them and they’ve still been able to play well. And they’ve had an unbelievable schedule. It’s never easy when you go into the year not knowing if you’re taking over; I know the team has responded real well. So I commend him; I think he’s done a great job." Howland added that Arizona’s streak of 23 straight invitations to the NCAA Tournament "is incredible."

>> Howland was happy about UCLA’s sharper shooting from long distance last night as the Bruins made 10 three-pointers. "It really helps us, especially when you’re getting zoned," he said. "That’s when you’ve got to make three-pointers because that’s what a zone gives up. Hopefully, you’re going to get some wide-open shots."

>> On Josh Shipp, who broke out of an 0-20 slump with four three-point baskets, Howland said: "He did a good job last night getting some shots in transition, but what I was really excited about was not only that he knocked down his threes, but he had eight assists — now, that’s really impressive to me. I always love guys who make plays for others and make other players better."

>> The Bruin coach was asked about the pounding that freshman center Kevin Love was receiving each game. "He’s obviously a very good player," Howland said, "and people are trying to do whatever they can, because he’s shooting 60% from the field. So, of course, you’re going to try to scheme and limit the amount of opportunities that a guy shooting 60% shoots. Fortunately, he’s very good at getting to the line. He is getting whacked and he handles it pretty well. He’s pretty tough; he gets hit a lot. That’s part of being a very good player and being a post player."

>> In light of Thursday’s incident during the Arizona-USC game in which an attendee chucked a water bottle from the stands onto the court (hitting USC’s Dwight Lewis on the foot), Howland was asked if fans were getting too crazy. "I’m sure the game management people will get that under control in a hurry because that’s a safety issue. What I do think is good is that’s there more awareness of it now than maybe there was years ago; that’s a positive thing. I’m proud of our fans for the most part. I think our fans are classy in a general sense, I really believe that they are among the best in terms of showing class towards their opponent."

Howland also said he thought the Pac-10 would get six teams in the NCAA Tournament, but did not think any team with a losing record would make it. "The conference is so good because there are no dogs that you’re just racking up wins on. Every win is a hard-earned victory for anybody in this league. In some leagues, you have a little more difference between the top half and the bottom half. This league has so much parity that between one and nine, anybody can beat anybody."