Foul Play Working in Their Favor

The Bruins are getting better from the foul line. Against Arizona State, they made 31 of 45 free throws--both season highs--and 12 of their final 14 in the final 1:15. That made the difference for UCLA, which scored its last field goal with 2:01 to play.

“It’s all about confidence,” point guard Earl Watson said. “You see players want the ball when they go to the line. They don’t just try to get rid of it quick. Players are holding onto it, wanting to take those shots.”

UCLA’s free-throw shooting has gotten progressively worse in each of the last six seasons, dropping from 70.9% in 1994-95 to 58.7% last season. Through 14 games this season, the Bruins have made 67.3% of their free throws.

*

UCLA assistant coach Jim Saia has been rumored to be a candidate for the head coaching job at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, although he said he has not been contacted about the position. He attended the school for two years before transferring to Chapman College. Jeff Schneider resigned as Cal Poly SLO’s coach two weeks ago and was replaced by assistant coach Kevin Bromley, serving in an interim capacity.

TONIGHT

at No. 17 Arizona

10:30 a.m., Channel 2

* Site--McKale Center, Tucson.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--UCLA 10-4, 4-0 in Pacific 10 Conference; Arizona 11-5, 4-1.

* Update--UCLA, which has used the press so effectively since the second half of the North Carolina game, will modify its approach against the ultra-quick Wildcats. “Arizona isn’t a team that’s going to slow the pace,” Coach Steve Lavin said. “They may be as effective as any team in the country at playing at high speed.” So the Bruins might abandon the press if Arizona is successful in breaking it early. The Wildcats, buoyed by the return Thursday of Coach Lute Olson, have won three consecutive games. Arizona has not lost to the Bruins at home since the 1996-97 season.