Long after the final turnover and forced three-pointer that led to UCLA’s second consecutive defeat, there was the word play. It might have been even more telling about what plagued the Bruins.
Phrases such as “unselfish” and “sharing the ball” that had become staples among players and coaches over the season’s first two months were replaced by “split ways” and “stood around” in the wake of a players-only meeting that followed UCLA’s 84-76 loss to USC last week.
The Bruins presented a more united front Monday, saying two days off from practice and film after their first two-game losing streak of the season had helped refresh and refocus them.