UCLA NOTEBOOK: PRACTICE PAYS OFF FOR BRUINS.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

For Bruins guard Rico Hines and forward Travis Reed, the field goals and free throws of December began with workouts in April.

Each took hundreds of shots per week in the offseason, improving form, refining muscle memory and bolstering confidence. Little wonder they're among UCLA's most improved players. They worked harder than anyone else.

``They were the most consistent people as far as working out in the offseason,'' said UCLA assistant Steve Spencer, who coordinated the shooting programs for Hines and Reed.

``It's all about getting in the gym and working at game speed. We gave them the structure and the format (in the spring), and they did it on their own over the summer.''

The NCAA gives coaches two hours per week with each player in the spring and fall, but it prohibits on-court contact over the summer. Spencer drilled Reed and Hines in April, May and a few weeks in June. Then they went out and practiced what he preached.

It shows.

Hines used various drills to improve his 3-point shooting. He went from spot to spot around the perimeter, sometimes mixing in sprints, sometimes trying to make as many shots as possible within a predetermined time. He also refined his form to eliminate excess motion.

The result: he's improved his 3-point shooting percentage from 30.8 percent last year to 41.2 percent this year.

``He used to snap the ball back or shoot a line drive,'' Spencer said. ``Now he's giving a good target and using an economy of motion.''

Reed concentrated on short hook shots with his left (natural) and right hand and, especially, on his free-throw shooting.

The result: he's shooting a team-leading 78.6 percent from the line, a stunning improvement from his 33.3 percent success rate last season.

``Travis slowed himself down at the line,'' Spencer said. ``He's got a routine. Once he locks the ball in, it's one motion.''

Quote of the week: Responding to a directive from coach Steve Lavin during a grueling practice, guard Earl Watson said: ``OK, coach Knight.''

Comparison shopping: American lost to USC by 15 points two nights before losing to UCLA by 10. How do the Bruins and Trojans compare?

``It's tough,'' American coach Art Perry said. ``UCLA probably has more overall talent. (The Bruins) probably have better guards. Overall, they're probably a little more talented.''

The Trojans have a chance to prove Perry wrong when they host UCLA on Jan. 20 in the Sports Arena.

By the numbers: Watson and freshman forward JaRon Rush have taken 50 percent of UCLA's 3-point attempts, but they've made just 28 percent.

Freshman big men Dan Gadzuric and Jerome Moiso are shooting better from the field than from the free-throw line.

The Bruins are outrebounding their opponents by 6.3 per game. But without the 6-10 Gadzuric (tendinitis), they lost the rebounding battle against American 41-32.

Sophomore guard Baron Davis has 20 assists and 10 turnovers in his past three games.

HOW THEY RATE

A brief look at some of UCLA's statistical leaders as the Pac-10 season nears.

Leading scorers

1. Earl Watson 13.0 ppg

2. Jerome Moiso 12.4 ppg

3. JaRon Rush 11.1 ppg

Leading rebounders

1. Jerome Moiso 6.2 rpg

2. Dan Gadzuric 5.0 rpg

3. JaRon Rush 4.8 rpg

Leading shooters

1. Jerome Moiso 61.3 %

2. Dan Gadzuric 59.6 %

3. Travis Reed 55.0 %

Most assists

1. Earl Watson 43

2. Baron Davis 27

Most turnovers

1. Earl Watson 46

2. JaRon Rush 17

- Jon Wilner

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

PHOTO (1) WATSON

(2) MOISO

BOX: HOW THEY RATE (see text)