Sophomore center Lorenzo Mata suffered a fractured right tibia
Thursday night in a collision with teammate Jordan Farmar late in
the second half of UCLA’s victory over Washington State.
An MRI taken late Thursday night following the game confirmed
the latest bad news to stike an injury-decimated Bruin team, who at
this rate might be challenging the convention that it takes five
healthy players to win basketball games.
According to UCLA coach Ben Howland, Mata will be out for
approximately eight weeks, which would pit the sophomore’s
return around mid-March during the NCAA Tournament.
The injury comes at a particularly inopportune time for the
Bruins, who were already reeling from the news earlier in the week
that sophomore forward Josh Shipp would not return this season due
to injury.
For Mata, who already this season has suffered a concussion, had
two teeth knocked out and suffered a broken nose, this latest
injury cuts short his most productive stretch of games in his
collegiate career.
The sophomore had started all five of UCLA’s conference
games this season, averaging 6.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in Pac-10
contests.
“He was playing the best basketball of his career over the
last stretch of games,� Howland said. “It’s a
tough break for the team and for Lorenzo.�
Along with Mata and Shipp, seniors Cedric Bozeman and Michael
Fey are also not expected to play against Washington on
Saturday.
Howland did say that senior Ryan Hollins, who hasn’t
played since Dec. 21, could come off the bench, but would not play
for more than 15 minutes.
Freshmen Alfred Aboya and Ryan Wright are the most likely
candidates to receive more playing time in light of Mata’s
injury, according to Howland.
Look for full coverage of Mata’s injury and UCLA’s game
against Washington in Tuesday’s edition of the Daily
Bruin.