It would be understandable if some Bruin fans were surprised when they saw the lineup that coach Ben Howland sent out to take the opening tip-off against No. 24 Stanford.
Gone was sophomore guard Russell Westbrook, who had started every other game this season for the Bruins, while averaging 11.5 points and 5.7 assists in 31.7 minutes. In his place was junior forward Alfred Aboya, who took his 3.7 points-per-game average to the line when he faced off against Stanford center Robin Lopez at center court.
But what might be even more surprising is this: According to Howland, Aboya is in the starting lineup to stay. Though it’s through no fault of Westbrook’s.
“As of right now, Russ is coming off of the bench,” Howland said. “It’s just the rotation. We (were) playing four guys the most minutes on the perimeter, and starting all four guys. That’s our best lineup, with those four guys in the game.”
In other words, Howland believes that saving what he sees as his best lineup ““ Westbrook, freshman Kevin Love, and juniors Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Darren Collison and Josh Shipp ““ for later in the game gives UCLA a better chance to win.
Additionally, it could help cut down on the minutes played by the Bruin guards, a growing concern since junior Mike Roll ruptured his plantar fascia during a recent practice. Roll is expected to be sidelined at least three weeks.
Westbrook didn’t seem to mind the switch, and responded with 15 points, six assists and no turnovers.
“Whatever coach needed me to do I was going to do,” he said. “I did it last year too, so I know I just have to come out the same way, come out with intensity and help the team win.”
Aboya’s night was limited by foul trouble, but in the 11 minutes he played, he submitted a strong defensive effort against Stanford’s big men, and even managed at least one offensive highlight when he sank his first career 3-pointer with 13:29 to play in the first half.
That part of Aboya’s game, at least, wasn’t enough to impress Westbrook.
“Man, Alfred makes that shot every day in practice,” he said.
KEEFE MAKES RETURN: Sophomore forward James Keefe took a major step in working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery Thursday night by logging four minutes and pulling down two rebounds in his first appearance for the Bruins this season.
There had been speculation that, given the Bruins’ loaded front court, Keefe would take a redshirt this year. However, with Roll’s continued absence, Howland believes that the team needs Keefe back.
“James only played four minutes, but his minutes will increase,” Howland said. “It’s the right thing to do for the team. He’s going to have to play major minutes in big games if we’re going to have the chance to be the best team that we can be this year. That’s the most important thing.”
AROUND THE PAC-10: Outside of Palo Alto, the first night of conference play wasn’t kind to visiting teams. No. 21 Arizona scored a 76-63 home win over Oregon State, and Arizona State won at home over Oregon, 62-54. In Berkeley, California upset No. 22 USC, 92-82. Washington and No. 4 Washington State are the final Pac-10 teams to begin conference play, and will meet Saturday night in Seattle.