UCLA finds its passion after upset No. 1 'Hawks

LOS ANGELES -- After two months of up-and-down results, No. 11 UCLA showed it is one of the best basketball teams in the country when it knocked off No. 1 Kansas.

Still, the question persists: Why can't they play like this all the time?

"We always take for granted the Ball States and the Pepperdines," forward Jason Kapono said. "Anytime we play the Georgetowns and Kansas, we come in and play with heart and passion."

The Bruins' lethargy cost them in losses to Ball State, Pepperdine and Southern California, which outhustled and outrebounded UCLA 81-77 on Thursday.

UCLA was just the opposite in beating the top-ranked Jayhawks 87-77 on Saturday. The Bruins were poised, even when Kansas got within four points in the final minute after being down 15 three times in the second half.

"What hurts so much is that we came back and brought it within a couple possessions, but made too many big mistakes," said Drew Gooden, who led Kansas with 22 points.

UCLA held the nation's leading offense to a season-low 77 points, 15.6 points below average; forced the Jayhawks into 21 turnovers; and never trailed after the 10-minute mark of the first half.

"Everybody was looking comfortable out there," forward T.J. Cummings said.

Especially Matt Barnes, who had 27 points two days after scoring a career-high 34 and tying a school record with seven 3-pointers against USC.

"I think we want it more when we're playing the No. 1 team in the country," Barnes said. "We can be No. 1 if we want it every night.

"It shows our potential, but last Thursday showed what can happen when we don't come out to play every game. It's kind of frustrating to know that you can beat the No. 1 team, but then you can't beat a team in your own conference that you should beat. We're going to have to pick it up."

Coach Steve Lavin played down the significance of beating a top-ranked team.

"It doesn't mean that much. Our kids have been there before and they have the poise and confidence to play these games," he said.

The Bruins upset the top-ranked team for the third consecutive season. They twice beat Stanford and now Kansas, with all three wins coming after losses.

"What's most important is our kids' resiliency," Lavin said. "There was a relaxed confidence our team had before and during the game."

The Jayhawks (13-2) had their 13-game winning streak snapped the same week they took over the No. 1 ranking from Duke.

"Falling out of No. 1 might be better for us. That way there will be less pressure and we can focus more on the game," guard Jeff Boschee said. "I can't wait to practice so we can forget about this loss. That's the best way to get over it -- practice."

Kansas' six-game road winning streak ended, and it lost for the first time in eight games in California under coach Roy Williams.

"It's the worst we played all year long and UCLA had a great deal to do with that," Williams said. "At halftime, just being down 11, I felt lucky."