He can be spectacular, whether on follow shots, jumpers or mid-range play, and he is competitive. Both Gadzuric and Moiso need to improve their free throw shooting, or fouling them becomes a percentage play. JaRon Rush is back after an inconsistent freshman year that saw him leave for Christmas break, and then not come back right away. Ultimately, Rush returned after a bout with homesickness, and Lavin sat him down for the next game. A high-flier off of one or two feet, he can finish in the open court or along the baseline.
Rush attacks the goal with fervor, but lacks a consistent shot.
While he is unafraid of jacking up a jumper, he has no idea sometimes where the ball is going. I thought Rush was an underrated shooter coming out of high school, but apparently I saw him on his best days. Barnes is a very capable player and should have a major impact off of the bench once he becomes eligible in mid-December. He plays with great enthusiasm, and is UCLA's most versatile and resourceful performer. It will be interesting to see where Barnes fits in with the arrival of Kapono, because Barnes is too valuable to sit.