UCLA Guard Watson Suffers Finger Injury

UCLA guard Earl Watson suffered a sprained tendon on the little finger of his right hand during practice Monday, three days before the Bruins face Kansas in their season opener at New York. Watson had the finger in a splint after practice, but Coach Steve Lavin said Watson is expected to play Thursday.

Watson, a senior, has started every UCLA game the last three years. Ryan Bailey would start at point guard if Watson cannot, with walk-on Jason Flowers playing behind Bailey.