Brewer expected Noah's recent success

The University of Florida friendship between Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer has been well documented.

So the Minnesota guard was a good source for thoughts on Noah's remarkable improvement this season.

"He always works super hard, ever since I've known him, but especially this last summer," Brewer said before facing the Bulls on Saturday. "I saw him and what he was doing and I was like, 'Yeah, he's going to be ready.'"

Asked for specifics, most of Brewer's observations centered on strength training, although it was already obvious that Noah came back for this third pro season with more muscles.

"He got his quickness back," Brewer said. "He put on a lot of weight and he had to get used to carrying that weight, because when we came out of college, he was a little slim."

Noah and Brewer were college roommates for three years and get together often when they're not in season. According to Brewer, the pair plan an extended trip every summer and visited Los Angeles last year.

So what is it like being out and about with Noah, who is easily recognized and seems to provoke a strong reaction from most basketball fans?

"It's fun walking with Jo, because somebody's always got something to say to him," Brewer said. "Whether it's good or bad, you never know what they're going to say. You've just got to prepare yourself."

Rose foul rehash: The offensive foul called on Bulls guard Derrick Rose late in Friday's loss at Milwaukee was still a topic of conversation a day later.

With the Bulls trailing by 2, Rose took off on a break and collided with backpedaling Bucks center Andrew Bogut. The call was a charge against Rose with 33.4 seconds left and the Bulls went on to lose 96-93.

When it comes to questionable late-game calls involving Rose, there have been so many the past two seasons, this one might not even rank in the top five. But it was a key play in a frustrating loss.

"Hopefully, it equals out at some point," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "The refs have a difficult job. I just want Derrick to continually be aggressive and try to get to the free throw line and not only score the ball, but incorporate his teammates like he's been doing."

Long time, no see: Jannero Pargo played the final three minutes on Saturday, his first game action since Dec. 26. Pargo has logged just 12 minutes in the Bulls' last 12 games, sitting out nine times. Center Aaron Gray played for the first time since Dec. 12.

Bull horns: Joakim Noah produced his 17th double-double of the season on Friday in Milwaukee, matching his total from his first two seasons combined. - According to the NBA, ex-Bull Ben Gordon scored the 10 millionth point in league history by knocking down a jumper at the 3:51 mark of the second quarter against Philadelphia on Saturday.