Watson Is Credited With Another Assist

Earl Watson is still making a difference at UCLA. At least he made a big impression on center Dan Gadzuric, who credited his two-game blitzkrieg through the state of Washington to a pep talk from his former teammate.

Watson, a rookie guard with the Seattle SuperSonics, spoke to Gadzuric on Wednesday after the Bruins arrived in Seattle. Presumably, the conversation was not as animated as ones the 6-foot-1 point guard had with the 6-11 center during games the previous three seasons, but it was effective.

Gadzuric scored a combined 43 points in victories over Washington on Thursday and Washington State on Saturday after averaging only 6.1 points in UCLA’s first seven games.

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Two days after sitting on the bench the entire game against Washington, UCLA freshman Andre Patterson made the most of an 11-minute stint against Washington State, grabbing six rebounds and making the two shots he took.

“I wasn’t pressing or trying any harder, I just played my game like I always do,” he said.

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Although his team lost, Marcus Moore of Washington State was pleased he played well against guys he’s known for years.

“I’m easygoing,” he said. “I enjoy basketball and I enjoy life.”

Moore, a slashing 6-6 point guard who attended Redondo Beach Redondo Union High for three years and Compton Dominguez for one, scrimmages in the off-season with Bruins Dijon Thompson, Matt Barnes and T.J. Cummings.

Moore was named to the All-Pacific 10 freshman team and is off to a strong start this season, averaging 14.1 points and six assists. He led the Cougars against UCLA with 17 points and eight assists before fouling out in the last minute.