UCLA NOTES: REED MAKES MOST OF HIS FEW MINUTES.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

The last time freshman forward Travis Reed played at least 20 minutes, he scored 14 points against New Mexico and helped UCLA to its most impressive victory of the season.

Reed waited 22 games for a similar dose of playing time. But when foul trouble struck J.R. Henderson Sunday at Duke, Reed got his chance. And he did not disappoint.

In 22 active, aggressive minutes, Reed scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds while adding a block, a steal and much-needed tenacity to UCLA's interior defense.

``Travis played strong, he rebounded - I was very encouraged by the way he played,'' Bruins forward Kris Johnson said.

Without Jelani McCoy, Reed is critical to UCLA's success. He's a big, thick body (240 pounds) who can bang underneath, especially when fatigue and foul trouble strike. He has performed well when called upon; it's just that he rarely gets called.

He played 10 minutes in the five games before Duke.

``It's hard to stay focused,'' Reed said. ``Some games I get a lot of minutes, some games I don't get a lot. I just try to help when coach (Steve) Lavin needs me.''

Just out there: Freshman guard Earl Watson has struggled lately. In the last four games, he's made 4 of 20 shots with nine assists and seven turnovers. Yet he's averaging 33.5 minutes per game.

In addition, Watson's defense is inconsistent. He has nine steals in that span, but he allowed USC's Kevin Augustine to penetrate at will and he failed to defend Duke's 3-point shooters.

Then again, who did?

Defensive decline: Of UCLA's myriad deficiencies - lack of depth, no size, stagnant offense - none is more important than its porous defense.

Opponents are shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range this season. Both numbers are the highest of the decade against UCLA.

And the Bruins have gotten worse over time. In the last six games, opponents have shot 50.8 percent from the field.

One problem - perhaps the biggest problem - is Watson and Baron Davis. They constantly gamble to intercept passes, which leaves them in poor position to stop penetration and defend 3-point shots. The gambling places more pressure on the frontcourt players, who are undersized and, fearing foul trouble, passive.

Spotty resume: In determining seedings, the NCAA Selection Committee emphasizes record against Top-25 opponents and performance in the final 10 games.

The Bruins are 1-5 against Top-25 teams and they're 3-3 down the stretch, with four games remaining.

After sweeping the Washington schools in late January, UCLA seemed destined for a No. 2 or 3 seeding. But unless it finishes strongly - at least three wins in four games - a No. 5 or 6 seeding seems likely.

Recruiting update: JaRon Rush is expected to make his UCLA commitment official on Wednesday at a press conference at a Kansas City, Mo., country club. Rush, from Pembroke Hill (Mo.) High, is one of the top small forwards in the nation and would place the Bruins' recruiting class among the elite.

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