ANALYSIS: DEPARTURE OF `BIG-PLAY GUY' LEAVES BIG VOID FOR BRUINS.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

Losing your center (Jelani McCoy) is not the same as losing your coach (Jim Harrick).

It's worse.

Before his resignation Saturday night, the 6-9 McCoy was UCLA's only shot blocker and its top rebounder in Pacific-10 play - an all-conference performer and future NBA lottery pick.

With him, the Bruins (19-5, 8-4) have Final Four talent. Without him?

``Without him they're probably lucky to make the Sweet 16,'' a Pac-10 coach said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. ``It definitely hurts their long-term prospects.

``He's a big-play guy. He's their shot blocker. He's their inside presence. They still have talent, but they aren't as good.''

The Bruins were 8-1 while McCoy served a fall quarter suspension. That included a neutral-floor victory over then-No. 8 New Mexico in arguably their most spirited performance of the season.

McCoy averaged 21.3 minutes and 7.1 rebounds per game. His 25 blocks were 10 more than the nearest Bruin (Toby Bailey) despite playing nine fewer games.

The resignation leaves an enormous void on UCLA's frontline - ``He makes them complete,'' Louisville coach Denny Crum said - and places more pressure on starters and reserves alike.

``No question, we aren't the same team without Jelani,'' coach Steve Lavin said. ``We just have to try to get better.''

McCoy's absence affects everyone, but these players in particular:

J.R. Henderson, a natural power forward who becomes the full-time center without McCoy. Some of Henderson's best moments came before McCoy's reinstatement - 24 points and seven rebounds against New Mexico, for instance - and he acknowledged the experience made him tougher.

But Henderson's less vulnerable to foul trouble when playing forward, and as the only player taller than 6-6 his presence is vital. Watch for opponents to attack Henderson specifically; his judgment will be essential to UCLA's survival.

Travis Reed, the freshman forward whose playing time figures to increase dramatically. Reed had back-to-back 14-point games in early December (New Mexico, Fullerton State) but has not scored in double-figures since. In fact, he has averaged just six minutes in Pac-10 games.

The 6-6 Reed is strong, aggressive, quick off his feet and, perhaps most important, gives Lavin an additional five fouls on the frontline. But he's raw. How quickly will he develop?

Baron Davis, the freshman guard plagued by inconsistency and foul trouble who now must perform to his talent level.

McCoy's absence places greater emphasis on UCLA's perimeter game. The guards must score consistently to relieve pressure on Henderson, and they must play more conservative defense without McCoy's shot blocking and intimidation to erase mistakes.

Now that the six-man rotation has dwindled to five, Davis, like Henderson, must avoid foul trouble at all costs. He has been disqualified from six games.