We now know Matt Barnes as the Lakers’ tough, do everything player off of the bench but at UCLA Barnes was a more than just a role player as he made a major impact on UCLA’s tournament run during his senior season.
During his senior season in 2002 Barnes, with the help of future NBA sharpshooter Jason Kapono, led the Bruins to the Sweet 16 despite only being ranked 8th in their region. In the first round of the tournament Barnes contributed just 6 points and 8 rebounds in limited minutes due to a route of Mississippi.
Barnes made his presence felt though in when the field was cut down to 32 teams, as he scored 17 points along 11 rebounds in a thrilling double overtime victory over the region’s number one ranked Cincinnati Bearcats. Barnes’ effort was noticed, especially by then UC coach Bob Huggins.
“I mean their power forward Barnes had 17 points and 11 assists. That hasn’t happened since Magic Johnson, has it,” questioned Huggins after the game.
Eventually UCLA’s bid at continuing the programs great history fell short when UCLA fell to future Laker Kareem Rush and his Missouri Tigers. Barnes outdid his performance against Cincinnati though by scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Barnes also contributed to two other Sweet 16 runs for the Bruins, these came in his junior and sophomore seasons. Barnes averaged nearly 7 points a game in these tilts.
Another Laker was actually a Pac-10 foe for Matt Barnes; this was Luke Walton who attended the University of Arizona from 1999 to 2003. Although Walton is now somewhat buried on the Lakers’ bench, he was an elite player for Lute Olson at Arizona.
As a freshman, Walton suffered heartbreak in the big dance, which would seemingly become a theme for Luke during his college career. The talented Wildcats team that featured future NBA players Gilbert Arenas and Richard Jefferson, along with Walton, was upset by the 8 seed Wisconsin when Luke was a freshman. Luke had a minimal effect during this tournament averaging just 2 points in the Wildcats’ two tournament games.
Walton’s sophomore season provided much more success for the Wildcats as they steamrolled through the NCAA tournament en route to a match up against Carolos Boozer’s Duke Blue Devils for the NCAA championship.
The Wildcats fell short in the title game, as Walton continued to have a minimal effect on the Wildcats’ championship dreams.
Walton’s junior season was a different story though, as he turned the corner and developed into one of the country’s premier players. During his junior campaign Walton averaged 15.7 points, 6.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Walton’s success continued come tournament time, especially in a second round match up against Wyoming. In this game Walton showed some scoring punch dropping 21 points along with 9 rebounds in Arizona’s win securing a spot in the Sweet 16.
Despite Walton’s versatility, Arizona was defeated in the next round by Oklahoma. In defeat, Walton flirted with a triple double, scoring 9 points, grabbing 8 boards and dropping 8 dimes.
Walton ended his college career by being recognized as a finalist for the Naismith Award. With high hopes it appeared as if Walton would add to his family legacy, this was not meant to be though as the Wildcats lost and Elite 8 showdown with Kirk Hinrich and the Kansas Jayhawks.
Walton made his mark on the tournament though averaging 15.5 points and nearly 8 assists in his final NCAA tournament run. Despite the fact that Walton could not capture a championship, he was able to build a very strong legacy in the NCAA.