Rush Steps Up Rebounding

JaRon Rush, struggling with his shot, has been trying to compensate for it with his rebounding.

The 6-6 freshman has had 12, 12 and eight boards in the three appearances since returning from a one-game suspension.

He was averaging 4.8 rebounds before that.

“The last three or four games, I’ve been trying to concentrate on that,” Rush said. “I think I can be a big contributor inside and with my scoring. My scoring isn’t going too well right now, so why not find another way to help?”

Rush made only four of 23 shots--17.4%--on the two-game Oregon trip.

He missed all 10 three-point tries, even as teams usually left him alone on the perimeter and dared him to shoot from the outside.

Trying to capitalize on those chances, Rush has usually been settling for those looks.

“I’m wide open,” Rush said. “I’m coming up short on most of my shots because I’m nervous. I’m thinking about it a lot. But I think this week I’m going to work a lot on my shot, so I’m going to be OK.”

*

So much for the hopes of reducing Earl Watson’s playing time to rest his bruised foot--he played 75 of a possible 80 minutes in Oregon.

Also, his elbow, injured in late November at the Puerto Rico Shootout, still is causing problems.

It continues to fill with fluid. Insisting on avoiding needles, Watson simply holds his arm up and let the open wound drain itself.

He was clearly in pain after falling on the arm after a failed steal attempt with about 70 seconds remaining Saturday in Eugene.