Pac-10 pushovers last year, UCLA now believes itself to be a
force. Touting a 4-0 record will do that for any team.
As the Bruins (8-3 overall) head into two home games against the
Arizona schools, starting off with Arizona State tonight at Pauley
Pavilion, they think that while they are obliterating external
expectations, they are actually not even meeting their own.
“We have the talent and players to be undefeated
(overall). We should be 10-1,” said junior guard Dijon
Thompson, adding that the Bruins should not have lost to Kentucky
and UC Santa Barbara.
“I’m not surprised (that) we’re undefeated in
the league.”
Even UCLA coach Ben Howland, who probably was just hoping to be
in contention on a nightly basis, as opposed to actually leading
the race for the Pac-10 title, is slowly jumping on the
bandwagon.
“Our guys are expecting to win every game we play,”
Howland said. “That’s how you have to approach the
game.”
Arizona State coach Rob Evans has noticed.
“Ben’s got them playing harder,” Evans said.
“(The Bruins) always had talent, but their shot selection is
a little better. They’re playing smart basketball.”
Unlike UCLA, Arizona State (6-6, 0-3 Pac-10) is struggling to
find its way in the early part of the season. Still, two of its
losses are to top-ranked teams Arizona and Stanford.
The Bruins also have to remember how the Sun Devils have won
their last three meetings against them, including last year’s
69-68 victory at Pauley. It was Arizona State’s first win in
the building since 1987.
Taking that into consideration, extending their win streak to
five games won’t necessarily be easy for the Bruins.
“They’re not coming over here with any fear,”
Howland said. “In fact, they’re coming here with a
sense of urgency. They’re a very dangerous team.”
“This is a team that’s capable of beating anybody in
our conference.”
Arizona State is led by sophomore forward Ike Diogu, who is
currently the conference’s leading scorer at 23.7 points per
game.
Diogu, at 6 feet 8 inches and 250 pounds, presents a tough
challenge for UCLA’s taller, but lankier defenders. The
preseason All-American and last year’s Pac-10 Freshman of the
Year is sure to face double-teams, according to Thompson.
“If we can contain him, we’ll pretty much win the
game,” Thompson said.
“He’s a great player,” Howland said. “He
really does a good job of scoring both with his back to the basket
and facing the basket. He’s going to be a tough
assignment.”
The Bruins have had strong rebounding numbers overall but will
need 7-foot center Michael Fey and face-up forward T.J. Cummings to
bang with Diogu.
Cummings scored a team-high 22 points in UCLA’s 86-84
overtime win on the road against Washington on Saturday.
UCLA will continue to be without junior shooting guard Brian
Morrison, who will miss his sixth consecutive game due to a
strained left hamstring.
Morrison is also doubtful for Saturday’s Arizona game,
Howland said.
Junior Janou Rubin, last week’s Pac-10 Player of the Week,
has emerged in Morrison’s absence.