Bruins’ Davis Comes Of Age In Anchorage

Now, that was more like it. More like the most coveted high school guard in the nation and more like the player expected to lead UCLA to its fourth consecutive Pacific-10 title.

“Baron’s ability to get us into our offensive sets and his clock management were tremendous,” Bruins coach Steve Lavin said after a 92-68 victory over Alaska-Anchorage on Friday afternoon in the Great Alaska Shootout.

Lavin did not mention Baron Davis’ other contributions - his 20 points, his eight assists and two steals.

Thursday night? Opening-game jitters, perhaps, and an overwhelming opponent. This was Davis in his element, leading and finishing on the fastbreak, attacking the rim, creating opportunities for his teammates.

“He’s the catalyst,” J.R. Henderson said.

A 41-point loss to North Carolina would suck the spunk out of any freshman. But Davis also needed to absorb the pace and energy of the college game. His comfort level increased exponentially in game two.

“The intensity level is so much higher,” he said. “Everybody’s in shape. It’s not like high school where you’re the strongest and you can relax. You’ve got to be intense every game.”

Davis is in a tenuous position. As the point guard, he’s the floor leader. But he must take care not to usurp the authority of seniors Henderson and Toby Bailey.

“I’m starting to pick my spots,” he said. “J.R. and Toby are the leaders. I’m more of a vocal leader.”

As Lavin hoped, Bailey and Henderson provided much-needed maturity and leadership following the North Carolina defeat.

“While we were eating, they told us to play harder and more aggressive and don’t back down,” Billy Knight said. “It made us tougher.”

Freshman Earl Watson was UCLA’s steadiest player Friday. He was credited with six assists, three steals and one turnover, although it appeared he had at least eight assists.

“I was just playing my game,” he said. “On that alley-oop to Toby, I saw he was open and just tossed it up. The passes just ended up happening. I wasn’t thinking about it.”

Davis and Watson are the first pair of freshman guards to start for the Bruins since Rod Foster and Michael Holton, a current assistant, did so in 1979.