Johnson Not Fazed by Pac-10 Snub

Kris Johnson reacted philosophically when he was surprisingly left off the All-Pacific 10 Conference team Friday--then immediately decided to take about 200 extra jump shots to get ready for today’s game against Arizona.

In voting by the conference coaches, Toby Bailey made the team for the third consecutive season, and after being left off last season, J.R. Henderson was named for a second time.

Also, Baron Davis was voted freshman of the year and backcourt mate Earl Watson made the all-freshman team. Arizona’s Mike Bibby was named conference player of the year.

Johnson, who has scored 20 or more points in 11 of UCLA’s 17 conference games and has a 20.9-point average in conference play, said he wasn’t particularly surprised by the vote.

“I’m happy for our guys,� Johnson said. “You really can’t dwell on it, you’ve just got to keep playing--and just bust Arizona.

“Maybe my suspension had a little bit to do with it, maybe it’s perception, maybe it’s me not kissing up to every coach in the league. I’m not saying our other guys do, but I’ve never been one to go out of my way and be nice. I get into it.�

Said Henderson of Johnson’s absence from the all-star team, “I don’t understand it. It must be something past his performance. Because if they based it on that, he surely should be first team.�

The rest of the team:

Carlos Daniel of Washington State, Michael Dickerson and Miles Simon of Arizona, Todd MacCulloch of Washington, Jeremy Veal of Arizona State, and Kris Weems and Tim Young of Stanford.

TODAY

vs. Arizona

* 1 p.m.

* Fox Sports

West

Site--Pauley Pavilion.

Radio--KOGO (600 AM).

Records--No. 19 Bruins 22-7, 12-5 in Pacific 10 Conference play; No. 2 Wildcats 26-4, 16-1.

Update--Jelani McCoy scored 16 points, had 13 rebounds, and was an intimidator in the teams’ first meeting, but the junior center resigned five games ago, and the smaller UCLA squad is 3-2 since then, with a pressing attack and major offensive production from the senior class.