Orange County Register

Nikola Dragovic

Monday was probably the first time that UCLA coach Ben Howland was relieved after one of his players left practice ahead of schedule.

Senior forward Nikola Dragovic was forced to leave practice at Pauley Pavilion early but it was because of food poisoning instead of an injury.

“Food poisoning is not like an ankle or knee injury or anything dramatic,” Howland said.

Howland has seen more than his share of injuries during the Bruins’ first three weeks of practice. Though Monday’s session had the most players participating since practices began on Oct. 16, three players weren’t around by the time things wrapped up at Pauley Pavilion.

Michael Roll was scheduled for non-contact drills but stopped after an hour to ice down his sprained right ankle.

Point guard Jerime Anderson participated in his first practice but was limited in his on-court time because of a pesky groin injury.
Brendan Lane continues to be out with a high-ankle sprain.

The Bruins’ training staff has been extremely cautious with Anderson’s recovery because he had a similar injury last season.

Anderson said he felt good and was pain-free. Nonetheless, he will sit out Wednesday’s exhibition game against Concordia University, along with Roll and Lane.

“I don’t think I have anything to worry about,” Anderson said of his injury. “I feel I could play fully but they’re being cautious right now. I know when I get back I’m going to be a little rusty and a little bit tired but that’s because I haven’t been out here. I think once I get into game shape, I’ll be OK.”

Malcolm Lee and Mustafa Abdul-Hamid will run the Bruins offense in place of Anderson on Wednesday. Anderson could be on the court for next Tuesday’s exhibition against Humboldt State.

Though the Bruins’ eventual starting five won’t be the starters against Concordia, the Bruins don’t expect to see much of a drop off in talent.

“With the injuries, a lot of guys have stepped up,” said James Keefe, who was getting over a shoulder injury when practices began last month. “This exhibition game will see how we gel as a team. We’ve got a lot of talent. It’s always good to play against guys who are not your teammates.”

Dragovic is another player who won’t be in the starting lineup for Wednesday’s game, and it doesn’t have anything to do with his food poisoning. Dragovic missed a team meeting and Howland has decided to keep him on the bench for at least the beginning of the game.

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