Mired in a nine-game losing streak, the UCLA men’s
basketball team just hasn’t been able to solve its
opponents’ big men.
In the season opener, the University of San Diego’s Jason
Keep (6-foot-10, 290) scored 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as
UCLA lost 86-81 in overtime.
Nearly three months later, the Bruins had the same problems with
Oregon State’s Philip Ricci (6-foot-7, 253). Last Saturday,
he scored a career-high 26 points to complement 14 rebounds as the
Beavers tallied their first victory at Pauley Pavilion in four
years.
This weekend against Georgetown, UCLA (4-14, 2-8 Pac-10) may
lose at the hands of another big man ““ junior forward Mike
Sweetney (6-feet-7-inches, 260 pounds).
“Collectively you have to pick your poison with a player
that is dominant,” UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said.
“We have to collectively defend (Sweetney) and send bodies at
him.”
Sweetney, an All-American candidate, is having a career year,
averaging 22.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
“As a result, he’s going to give other guys good
looks,” Lavin added of his presence.
The Bruins have not had an answer for a player like him all
season ““ but have reason to hope.
There has been some life in the Bruins’ inside game over
the last three games. Freshman Ryan Hollins averaged seven points
and seven rebounds in that timespan.
Earlier in the season Hollins was lucky to even play one minute.
He may help the Bruins win with his 6-foot-11-inch advantage, but
pound for pound Sweetney has a huge advantage over the 215-pound
Hollins.
Maybe Lavin will let loose his only visibly strong player
““ freshman football and basketball player Marcedes Lewis
(6-foot-6, 240). Lewis would love to get the opportunity to beat up
the opposition considering he has been with the basketball team
only for the losing streak.
“If I get in, I think great things can happen,” he
said. “I will be ready when coach calls on me.
Ңbull;Ӣbull;Ӣbull;
A Bruin basketball game will be televised on CBS for the fourth
time this season. UCLA is currently 0-4 in the national spotlight
with its recent loss on ABC, to Arizona, 87-52. The game versus
Georgetown (10-8, 2-6 Big East) tips off at 10 a.m PST.
Ңbull;Ӣbull;Ӣbull;
Oregon State’s Brian Jackson was named Pac-10 Player of
the Week after averaging 22.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in two
games.