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UCLA Bruins (2001: 23-9)

The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I teams, be sure to order the 2001-02 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.

Program overview

The days of being too young and too few are over at UCLA. Limited at times in recent years by youth and/or lack of depth, the Bruins rank as the almost unanimous favorite in the Pac-10 because they have experience and numbers.

It's a given that UCLA always has talent.

"I think our team is kind of hungry to get back in the winner's circle in terms of the Pac-10 championship," coach Steve Lavin said. "We've finished strong the last couple of years, but it took a while to adjust both years, first losing Baron [Davis after 1999], then last year JaRon [Rush] and Jerome [Moiso].

"Hopefully, from the outset, from start to finish, this is a team with the depth and experience and maturity and leadership to play at a more consistent level."

The Bruins aren't without a few question marks, but there are so many potential answers they cannot be ignored as the conference favorite. Four starters return, including the frontline trio of center Dan Gadzuric and forwards Jason Kapono and Matt Barnes.

Among the top seven scorers on last year's squad, only starting point guard Earl Watson is gone. And the Bruins will replace him with prep All-American Cedric Bozeman, who headlines one of the nation's premier recruiting classes.

The Bruins anticipate sizable contributions from two other players who redshirted last season -- fifth-year senior wing Rico Hines and transfer John Hoffart, a massive center from Cal Poly.

In all, Lavin can call upon 10 or more capable players, which should dovetail nicely with the switch at mid-season last year to a full-court press defensive scheme.

Projected starters

C - Dan Gadzuric (6-11, 248 lbs., SR, #50, 11.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 26.9 minutes, .534 FG, .453 FT, Governor Dummer Academy/Byfield, Mass.).

Gadzuric has made steady progress since his debut three years ago as a raw prospect, and UCLA believes he can be one of the nation's most productive big men this season. A soccer player in his native Holland during his youth, Gadzuric averaged 13.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in three NCAA Tournament games last spring.

Injuries were a problem early, as Gadzuric sat out UCLA's NCAA loss to Detroit his freshman year because of knee problems. Other than a sprained ankle, however, he was healthy last year, and the results were evident.

Gadzuric did accumulate 98 personal fouls last season, fouling out of four games, but Lavin believes he can limit those problems merely by slowing down a bit.

PF - Matt Barnes (6-7, 230 lbs., SR, #23, 11.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.6 spg, 30.3 minutes, .478 FG, .574 FT, Del Campo HS/Citrus Heights, Calif.)

One of the most improved players in the Pac-10 last season, Barnes found his niche when the Bruins went to the full-court press in December.

Barnes was averaging a modest 8.7 points entering the North Carolina game, when he broke loose for 18 points. He went on to score in double figures in eight of 10 games, and 17 for the season. Barnes, who averaged just 5.6 points as a sophomore, erupted for a career-best 32 in a home defeat to Stanford.

Physically, Barnes is far from the prototypical power forward, but his quickness compensates for his lack of size.

SF - Jason Kapono (6-7, 199 lbs., JR, #24, 17.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 35.1 minutes, .441 FG, .457 3PT, .869 FT, Artesia HS/Lakewood, Calif.)

Kapono is one of the most consistent scorers and dangerous perimeter shooters in the country. Entering his junior season, he already has scored 1,080 career points and has a career .465 accuracy mark from three-point range.

Kapono scored in double figures 25 times last season, going for 18 points or more on 20 occasions. He scored 22 points against Kansas, 21 against Kentucky and equaled his career-high of 28 against Villanova, DePaul and Washington State.

He was held without a three-point basket just three times in 32 games last season, and nine times buried at least four shots from beyond the arc. Kapono briefly considered bolting for the NBA after last season.

SG - Billy Knight (6-5, 210 lbs., SR, #3, 7.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 17.6 minutes, .460 FG, .421 3PT, .732 FT, Westchester HS/Los Angeles)

Knight took over as the starter at UCLA's troubled shooting guard spot for the Feb. 3 game at Stanford, two days after a disastrous defeat at Cal. He responded with 22 points -- which exceeded his total of the previous seven games combined -- and the job was his.

Knight went on to average 13.1 points as a starter in UCLA's final 14 games, helping the club to an 11-3 record. He shot .496 from the field over that stretch, including .492 from three-point distance. Curiously, he averaged 19.8 points on the four Saturdays in February, shooting 60 percent from beyond the arc.

PG - Cedric Bozeman (6-6, 183 lbs., FR, #21, 20.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.0 apg at Mater Dei HS/Santa Ana, Calif.)

The Bruins expect Bozeman to earn the starting point guard assignment, and Lavin doesn't consider the prospect of a freshman in that role to be a hazard. Lavin said the experience with which Bozeman will be surrounded will be a critical factor in his performance.

At Mater Dei, Bozeman was a McDonald's All-America selection and was chosen to the USA Today All-America third team. He was the player of the year in Southern California according to both the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register, after leading the Monarchs to a 33-2 record and the state large-school title.

Key reserve

F - T.J. Cummings (6-9, 205 lbs., SO, #43, 6.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 18.8 minutes, .485 FG, .652 FT, Flossmoor HS/Homewood, Ill.)

Cummings burst onto the scene with 24 points and seven rebounds in his collegiate debut against Kansas, and could be ready for another breakthrough this season.

Bottom line

The Bruins have so many players on their roster Lavin probably could benefit from a football depth chart. Still, he realizes that's only a blessing if he's able to effectively manage his personnel.

"Being able to find a rotation, in terms of a substitution pattern, will be critical," he said.

So will the development of Bozeman, expected to control the reins of a talented squad.

"That's the most natural key, integrating the freshmen, and Cedric in particular because he's at the crucial position at the point," Lavin said. "It's something we have to watch closely."

Bozeman and the Bruins will be tested early and often with a challenging schedule that tips off at the Maui Invitational. UCLA also plays non-conference games against Alabama, Georgetown, Kansas and Villanova.

Lavin believes his club is up for the assignment.

"For the first time during my tenure as head coach we have the balance in each class and the depth at each position that you strive for as a coach," he said.

And, as usual at UCLA, the expectations that go with it.