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UCLA coach Ben Howland feels the Bruins’ need to get the ball to center Michael Fey more of

With each practice, UCLA has improved as a team. And with each game, it finds something new to improve upon.

Heading into tonight’s game against Long Beach State (1-2), the Bruins (3-0) hope to develop their motion offense, which has been lacking in the first three games.

“After running a set play, if we don’t have something we want, we have to get better at executing motion,” coach Ben Howland said.

Starting two freshmen in the backcourt, as well as two big men who are natural centers, has complicated the task of running that offense. But improving the motion was intended to be the focal point of Monday’s practice and the team hopes it will naturally gel as a result of increased time spent working on it.

“We didn’t have too much continuity, but I think that will come from practicing every day and the more we play together,” point guard Jordan Farmar said after Saturday’s win over UC Irvine.

Running the motion offense should increase ball movement and allow for better looks for the post players. Howland hopes the ball finds its way into center Michael Fey’s hands more often. After scoring 11 points in the first half of Saturday’s game, Fey took only two shots in the second half as his touches became glaringly limited.

“We’ve got to get better at feeding him,” Howland said.

“We were feeding him when everyone in the building knew it was coming.”

For his part, Fey indicated he needs to be more assertive in demanding the ball, but said he must be selective of when to do so.

“You pick your time when you want to demand it,” Fey said. “You can’t demand it every time because it’s not going to be there.”

Tonight’s game marks another good opportunity for the 7-foot Fey to exert his presence against a smaller opponent. But the 49ers’ starting center, Anthony Coleman, may present Fey with his stiffest challenge on both the offensive and defensive ends. Standing at 6-feet-11, Coleman is the 49ers leading scorer at 18.3 points per contest and leading rebounder with seven a game.

But Howland is primarily concerned with his team’s perimeter defense at this point in the season. He pointed to UCI’s ability to beat his players off the dribble as one weakness his team will need to improve upon.

“The best teams in our league have lot of perimeter guys who want to make plays off the bounce,” Howland said. “We need to get better at it or we’re going to be in trouble in league.”

Part of the problem UCLA has had defensively stems from playing two natural centers, Hollins and Fey, at the same time. UCI exploited this factor by bringing its center out onto the perimeter, forcing UCLA’s big men away from the interior.

“Sometimes we were late to hedge,” Howland said.

“They were good at setting little, quick on-ball screens, and Mike was late a couple times.”

Tonight will mark another test to evaluate whether the Bruins have improved in this facet. And whether they pass it or not, there will still be more to improve upon at this early juncture of the season.