Watson Not Quiet About Lack of Noise

UCLA is heading into some rowdy, hostile arenas this week. For some Bruins, the raucous nature of California’s Haas Pavilion and Stanford’s Maples Pavilion only accentuates how quiet things have been at Pauley Pavilion.

Some UCLA players believe the problem lies in ticket distribution.

“It’s pretty sad,” point guard Earl Watson said. “I’m not sure how many tickets are offered to the [UCLA] students. It doesn’t seem like it’s a lot. It’s taken a lot of life out of the place. If you don’t get a good ticket, you can’t see the game that well if you’re a student. Your seat might be way up there. The students go straight up, not around the court.

“It’s really hard to get a home-court advantage. Students should probably get first choice when it comes to tickets. This is a college. The students should enjoy their facility. That’s how I see it.”

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Rick Pitino has told friends he’s no longer interested in the Nevada Las Vegas job, according to a report in Tuesday’s Boston Herald.

When apprised of the story, Bruin Coach Steve Lavin said he had not heard it, then shrugged and chuckled.

“I’m sure there’s continued speculation and interest in what job he’s going to end up in,” Lavin said. “I’ve got to try to focus in on the Cal Bears and Stanford, right on down the line. I can’t worry about the external distractions.”