UCLA Head Coach Steve Lavin Quotes

The first half is where we lost this game tonight. The 18 first-half turnovers were the difference. We didn't take care of the ball and we were not sharp in our execution. We gave up too many shots in the paint and took bad shots ourselves.

We had 26 turnovers last time we played Arizona. Today we had 18 in the first half. This game was lost for us in the first half. The poise and composure was not there on our part today. We had way too many unforced turnovers. In past years guys like Bibby, Simon, Dickerson and Terry would turn up the heat on you and force turnovers, but today there was none of that. We gave the ball away.

They penetrated well on us and we gave them too many easy buckets, especially in the first half. We are creating offense for our opponents by our rapid rate of turnovers. I'd rather throw the ball in the stands than have us give away a quick turnover and have guys like Arenas and Gardner running on our transition defense.

Good teams are going to hit big shots and make three-pointers. We can't afford to give even more opportunities to our opponents. In the second half we adjusted the quick shots that we were taking in the first half, but by then it was way too late to get back in it.

We are struggling right now. We have lost six of our last seven games. Three of those losses were to Stanford, Syracuse and Arizona, who are all in the top-10. The other losses are the ones that hurt the most. We're running out of rope. Our backs are up against the wall.

Arizona vs. UCLA
February 19, 2000
McKale Center
UCLA Player Quotes

Forward Jason Kapono

On the team's performance:

"I'm really frustrated and disappointed that we didn't come out and give a
better effort out there today. Coming on this road trip we were pretty
confident that we would get a split and to lose the way we did the past two
games is indicative of our season. It seems like every game we are falling
behind by a huge margain and its tough to always have to play catch up.

On Arizona playing without Loren Woods:
"We thought that without Woods in the game we would be able to go to the
basket more and develop an inside game against them but their cat quick
defense compensated for Woods' absence. We committed a lot of stupid
turnovers and it really hurt us. It's pretty hard to win when you turn the
ball over 17 times in the first half.

On Arizona's Defense:
"Coach Olson always has the team very prepared for games. They really got
after us and denied the wings and we paniced and began committing
turnovers. We got out of our offense and forced too many shots."

Guard Ray Young

"From here on out we need to play every game like it is our last and
somehow and earn ourselves a berth in the NCAA tournament.

On team's morale:

"As a veteran of the team, I need to take it upon myself to not let the
younger guys get down in practice and continue to work hard. The season
isn't over left and we still have time to earn a berth into the tournament.

"I think the big difference was their defense. Some of us would get open
but we were unable to get each other the ball at the necessary times."