UCLA redshirt freshman forward Matt McKinney informed volleyball
coach Al Scates on Monday that he will skip out on the remainder of
the volleyball season in order to concentrate on basketball.
“He let me know he’s dedicating himself to working out
in basketball,” Scates said. McKinney missed the entire
season due to a broken left foot suffered during a summer league
basketball game. He was healthy at season’s end, but never
got in uniform, as he plans to petition the NCAA for a sixth year
of eligibility when he becomes a senior. McKinney, who is on a full
basketball scholarship, could have provided a blocking presence for
the volleyball team on their national championship run. The
6-foot-8 athlete played in 17 matches at opposite hitter last
season while redshirting in basketball. But basketball, a sport he
hasn’t played competitively in two years, is now his focus.
“He gives us a little more depth up front,” UCLA
basketball coach Ben Howland said.
MARCH MADNESS: Not getting into the NCAA
tournament wasn’t the only thing that was bothering Howland
on Selection on Sunday. He was also unhappy with the draw that the
selection committee gave to Pitt, his former team. The Panthers,
the No. 3 seed in the East Rutherford regional, face a potential
second-round game against No. 6-seeded Wisconsin in what amounts to
a road game in Milwaukee. “Why seed the teams then?”
Howland asked rhetorically. Howland is also looking to change the
way the Pac-10 Tournament is set up. He said all 10 coaches have
voted for there to be a tournament that invites all 10 teams and is
complete with play-in games.
DRIBBLERS: Howland said he would like freshman
forward Trevor Ariza to bulk up to 220 pounds and sophomore center
Ryan Hollins to 235 “¦ Hollins can expect to see some minutes
at power forward next season “¦ Howland said he plans to
practice more on Mondays for Saturday games.