Text messages from press row . . .

He showed why Saturday. . . .

But how long can the Bruins continue to play with fire? . . .

Coach Ben Howland's team needs Love in the paint, not on the perimeter, as was shown in the late going not only in Love's clutch shots but also in the big man's ability to occupy defenders and create space for Collison's driving layups. . . . .

UCLA's 41-point dismantling of Mississippi Valley State on Thursday evoked memories of 1971-72, when the unbeaten Walton Gang of Bill Walton and Henry Bibby outscored opponents by a national-record average of 30.3 points, but perhaps it also eroded the Bruins' sense of urgency. . . .

The five teams that scored the most surprising upsets in the opening round of the NCAA tournament -- Siena, San Diego, Western Kentucky, Villanova and Davidson -- combined to make nearly 48% of their three-point shots. . . .

Stephen Curry of Davidson, son of former NBA player Dell Curry, led the way by making eight of 10 three-point shots and scoring 40 points against Gonzaga. . . .

His father, in 16 NBA seasons, made 40% of his three-point shots. . . .

Highly touted quarterback prospect Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette, Pa., who signed last week with Ohio State, says USC basketball Coach TimFloyd courted him, telling him O.J. Mayo needs a small forward. . . .

Does that mean Floyd believes Mayo is staying at USC for another season or that the coach believes Pryor, who led his teams to state titles in football and basketball, is ready to jump to the NBA, as Mayo is expected to do? . . .

One reason Jerry West might actually be interested in taking over as boss of the New York Knicks: Isiah Thomas couldn't have set the bar much lower. . . .

Speaking of West, that was son Jonnie West who got onto the court for about one minute Saturday in West Virginia's upset victory over Duke. . . .

The younger West, a redshirt freshman, wears No. 4. . . .

No. 44 was retired in 2005. . . .

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are scheduled to play only one of their last 13 regular-season games outside California -- April 8 at Portland -- and, if the standings hold up, would open the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors. . . .