Quick thoughts on UCLA vs. Miami (OH)

Thursday night's second-round game in the 2K Sports Classic (Coaches vs. Cancer) punched the Bruins' ticket to Madison Square Garden.

It also reinforced the concept that you can't depend on a freshman class to carry an entire team. The (fab? fantastic?) five combined for 40 minutes, less than half as many as in the previous game, and 10 points — down from 36 the night before.

Darren Collison's decision to return for his senior season payed almost immediate dividends, saving the rest of the guys from a couple weeks of not-so-fun practices. Had they lost last night, there would have been a long layover.

Instead, Collison led UCLA to what was technically a comeback win over Miami of Ohio. The Bruins were down in the final minute, but pulled off a 64-59 victory. Collison finished with 16 points, same as fellow senior Josh Shipp, and sent the Bruins to a game next weekend against Michigan and another against either Duke or Southern Illinois.

In case you weren't sure, the whole nation is rooting for a UCLA-Duke final. Heck, it would be fine if they meet in the consolation game — but what are the odds that both would lose in the semis?

Between now and their next game, the Bruins will want to practice their perimeter offense. It was OK to shoot 45% from the floor (just behind the Redhawks' pace), but going 5-of-18 from beyond the newly-elongated arc? Could be better. Shipp hit one in five attempts, while Nikola Dragovic missed all four of his. UCLA was happy just to have Dragovic out on the court, as he contributed four points, two boards, an assist and a block in 16 minutes during his first game since being arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery.

The Redhawks were tough, and never let UCLA get away. The Bruins' biggest lead was six, Miami's was five. The next couple games won't be much easier.

—Adam Rose

Photo: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times