The UCLA participant who logged essentially the most minutes, grabbed essentially the most rebounds and snagged essentially the most steals Tuesday evening was additionally the one who’s in all probability come the furthest in his faculty profession.
And when the season begins subsequent week, he’s doubtless going to fill a bigger-than-expected function.
Jamar Brown continued to point out that he’s prepared for main faculty basketball by logging a double-double through the No. 12 Bruins’ 94-64 rout of UC Irvine at Pauley Pavilion of their remaining exhibition recreation.
Brown completed with 13 factors to go together with crew highs in rebounds (10), steals (three) and minutes (28), manufacturing that was largely a results of a relentless strategy for somebody who began his profession on the junior faculty degree and spent the final two seasons enjoying within the Summit League.
“With Jamar Brown, you never have to coach effort or attitude — and I’m talking to the maximum,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin stated. “His effort, like some guys — they’ll tell you, ‘I play hard.’ But if you watch them, they play at like 80%. Jamar Brown plays at 100%. Like, I could not ask him to play harder than he plays.”
Brown may begin UCLA’s season opener towards Japanese Washington on Monday with Eric Dailey Jr. thought-about uncertain due to a strained knee. Cronin stated Dailey had returned to the observe courtroom however wouldn’t play till Cronin felt he was snug, which was unlikely to be by the opener given that there have been solely 4 practices left earlier than then.
“I mean, there’s just no point,” Cronin stated of speeding Dailey again. “It’s a long season, we got a lot of guys.”
UCLA guard Jamar Brown jumps for a rebound towards UC Irvine within the second half of Tuesday’s exhibition win.
(Ethan Swope / Related Press)
The Bruins unveiled that depth whereas constructing leads as massive as 43 factors towards the Anteaters. UC Irvine notched what may need been one of many best victories in class historical past on this courtroom when the Anteaters beat UCLA within the first spherical of the 1986 Nationwide Invitation Match, however the Anteaters have been totally outclassed at each place Tuesday.
After struggling towards San Diego State in an earlier exhibition recreation, UCLA ahead Tyler Bilodeau rediscovered his capturing stroke with some observe pointers from Cronin. Bilodeau made eight of 10 photographs and all three three-pointers, scoring 12 consecutive factors for the Bruins over the ultimate 2 minutes 48 seconds of the primary half.
“My feet were getting kind of too narrow,” Bilodeau stated of his earlier capturing mechanics, “so you put a towel in between my feet [in practice] and just pass the ball and just catch and shoot threes.”
Level guard Donovan Dent was a blur of floating jumpers and spotlight passes, his 16 factors and eight assists all coming within the first half earlier than he was given the remainder of the evening off. Middle Xavier Booker confirmed off a various array of abilities on the best way to scoring 14 factors, making two of three three-pointers along with a couple of strikes across the basket.
Redshirt freshman guard Eric Freeny sparked the play of the sport when he blocked a shot, corralled the unfastened ball and fired an outlet cross to Dent, who threw a lob to Bilodeau for a thunderous dunk.
However maybe essentially the most encouraging sight for the Bruins was understanding they won’t have a dropoff at small ahead so long as Dailey remained sidelined.
Brown made three of six three-pointers and repeatedly beat his counterpart to the ball whereas chasing rebounds, grabbing 4 on the offensive finish.
“Jamar showed you what I’ve been telling you,” Cronin stated, alluding to his toughness. “He can play smarter at times, but his effort is always maximum and his attitude is always as good as you could ever ask for from somebody in life — not just basketball. Just an unbelievable person.”
The 6-foot-5 senior guard took an unconventional path to UCLA. After spending two seasons at Phoenix School, he transferred to the College of Missouri Kansas Metropolis, the place he grew to become a second crew All-Summit League choice final season.
Now he’s within the Large Ten, capably filling in for considered one of UCLA’s high gamers.
“As good as we look, at times, you gotta remember he’s not out there,” Cronin stated of Dailey. “Not only is he not out there as a really talented player, he’s not out there as a guy that knows how to play at UCLA. You know, that’s where Jamar has done such a great job because he looks like he’s been in our program.”
