Following the release of the preseason Associated Press
men’s basketball rankings on Monday, UCLA finds itself in a
relatively unfamiliar place, at least as of late. The Bruins are
ranked. At No. 19. “It’s about time,” sophomore
guard Arron Afflalo said. “That’s what UCLA basketball
is about. It’s a winning school, a winning tradition.
I’m glad we’re back ranked. People need to put those
expectations on us, and we need to fulfill them.” The last
time UCLA played a game as a ranked team was Nov. 30, 2002. The
Bruins, who started the season ranked No. 14, finished 10-19 and
saw coach Steve Lavin fired at the season’s end.
Lavin’s replacement, coach Ben Howland, has seen the
team’s return to the national radar in his three years with
UCLA. But Howland is honest about the differences between the team
that was ranked by the media and the team that will take the floor
for in their season opener next Tuesday against New Mexico State.
“Our preseason ranking was based on our health being at full
strength going into the season,” Howland said. “And I
definitely feel that if we’re completely healthy, we’re
very deserving of that ranking.” Right now, however, the team
is far from completely healthy. The Bruins will be without
returning starters Josh Shipp and Michael Fey in the season opener.
Freshman Alfred Aboya, who Howland said he expected to start at the
power forward position, will also be sidelined with injuries.
Shipp, a sophomore guard who underwent arthroscopic right-hip
surgery on Sept. 28, will be sidelined for the longest period of
time. Howland expects Shipp to be ready to play by Dec. 21, when
the Bruins host Wagner. Fey, a senior center, suffered a severe
groin pull on Oct. 14. Howland said he hoped Fey would be back on
the court today to participate in non-contact drills. The Bruin
coach is hopeful Fey could be playing by the week of Nov. 21. Aboya
had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 12. Howland
hopes the freshman power forward will be able to participate in
non-contact drills on Nov. 21 and be playing by Nov. 28. “I
would trade being healthy for being ranked nationally right now, in
a heartbeat,” Howland said.
MORE INJURIES: Sophomore point guard Jordan
Farmar, who suffered a strained groin in practice on Oct. 27,
practiced on Monday, and Howland said he looked 100 percent. The
team’s trainer will continue treatment on Farmar to continue
strengthening his groin. Afflalo, who suffered a left quadricep
contusion in practice on Oct. 29, wrapped his injured leg in the
team’s exhibition win over Carleton University on Friday.
ON TAP: The Bruins host Cal State Monterey on
Thursday at 7:30 p.m., and open the regular season Nov. 15 at home
against New Mexico State in the first round of the Preseason
NIT.