Hardin loses Love match, just as Lopez twins did

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jan 6, 2008 | by Monte Poole

BERKELEY -- In the afterglow of sweet victory Thursday, DeVon Hardin clearly was feeling incandescent. Asked about his next massive challenge, Cal's senior big man played it cool.

A bit too cool, it turns out.

For that next massive challenge was, well, hardly challenged.

The intriguing matchup between Hardin and Kevin Love, UCLA's heralded freshman center, was decidedly one-sided. Love showed up at Haas Pavilion Saturday, outplayed Hardin and led the Bruins to a 70- 58 victory that affirmed his team's position atop the Pacific-10 Conference.

"Kevin Love played like a man today," Bruins coach Ben Howland said.

While Hardin posted 8 points and 8 rebounds, Love turned in game- highs in points (19, on 8-for-10 shooting) and rebounds (14). Love's only misses came on two of his three 3-point attempts.

Put another way, the 6-foot-9 Love dominated the paint, with little response from Hardin, a tremendously athletic 6-11 center who practically conceded Love's interior shots.

Played right into the freshman's hands. Because Love is a deliberate player, without impressive athleticism, he relies on diligence and an exceptionally high level of skill. And an extreme degree of competitiveness.

"He's a tough kid," Cal coach Ben Braun said. "He's not just physically tough, he's mentally tough."

Though it's unfair to distill this game -- or any game -- to a one-on-one battle, it was evident Hardin would have to at least neutralize Love for the Bears (10-3, 1-1 in the Pac-10) to have a chance against fifth-ranked UCLA (14-1, 2-0).

That it didn't happen shouldn't dim Cal's goals. Nor should UCLA's win at Stanford on Thursday, while the Bears were defeating USC, send the Cardinal tumbling toward the NIT.

"This is a very difficult road trip," Howland insisted. "I think both Stanford and Cal are NCAA Tournament teams."

While that is altogether conceivable, the UCLA road sweep means Love's introduction to the conference legitimizes the trail of hype at his back.

With a gaggle of pro scouts -- 15 applied for credentials -- and NBA agents Bill Duffy and Calvin Andrews in attendance at Haas, Love continued his quest to prove he is more capable than one might assume.

"I love to prove people wrong," Love said. "People say I can't score over bigger defenders. I think I proved that."

After scoring 15 points on seven shots against the 7-foot Lopez twins, Brook and Robin, at Stanford, Love took apart Hardin and 6-9 Ryan Anderson with a variety of post moves, bank shots and flips with either hand.

"It's incredible to be a freshman and to be that good against those four guys this weekend," Howland raved. "All four of those guys will be in the NBA."

Hardin and Anderson fared better than the Lopez twins in at least one respect: Neither fouled out. Both Lopez twins did.

"I wanted to go in and prove myself against these guys," Love said. "They're all big, they're all long. I just wanted to show I could defend them. And that I can score on them."

When he wasn't scoring, Love was influential in other ways. Though the Bruins were in command throughout, the Bears rallied several times -- generally when Love was on the bench. Upon his return, order was restored.

A Love 3-pointer gave UCLA a 10-2 lead, and his turnaround jumper nine minutes before halftime made it 21-11. Love's 13-point first half -- while Hardin and Anderson combined for 3 -- set the tone.

Cal got as close as two (38-36) only once, with 14:15 left, when Hardin threw down a thunderous slam off a Jamal Boykin miss -- a play Love watched from the scorer's table. He re-entered, the Bruins went on an 8-2 run, going up 48-41, putting things away with 8:55 left.

It should be understood that Love is not playing by himself. He is surrounded by quality players; no one should be shocked if three other Bruins are named to the all-conference team.

Love, however, is the difference-maker. Had to be against Hardin and Anderson.

"They are great players," he said. "Our game plan was based around (controlling) them. They're going to be lottery picks when they come out."

Perhaps. Hardin pondered a move to the NBA after last season before coming back as a senior. There is rampant speculation that Brook Lopez, a sophomore, will leave after this season.

Hardin, meanwhile, gained a new appreciation for what he will see in the Pac-10.

"He's a good player. I gotta give him his props," Hardin conceded. "He's diligent on offense. He's constantly working for position. That's rare for a freshman."

If Hardin was considerably less dismissive, it is because he was coming from a completely different perspective.

On Thursday, he was triumphant, and his competitive instincts were engaged by the mention Love, a freshman coming into Haas. Thus, Hardin implied he'd have a little something for Love.

On Saturday, Cal came out on the losing end. If Hardin is as competitive as he seems, he longs to acquit himself. The rematch against Love and the Bruins is set for March 8.

Monte Poole can be reached at (510) 208-6461 or by e-mail at mpoole@angnewspapers.com.