New York is about as far as UCLA can get from the Pac-10
conference. And, after succumbing to USC on Wednesday and
stretching their conference losing streak to four games, escape
might be exactly what the Bruins need right now.
UCLA faces off against St. John’s tomorrow at Madison
Square Garden in the Big Apple. The Bruins will be looking to
avenge last year’s 15-point loss to St. John’s at
Pauley and also to bring a win back to Westwood.
“I’ve never been to New York, so it’ll be
interesting to go — but I’m just trying to get a
victory,” point guard Cedric Bozeman said.
Bozeman’s sentiment extends to other members of his team
as well. Although the Red Storm’s 80-65 victory over
UCLA (currently 9-7 overall, 5-4 Pac-10) last year hasn’t
waned in the team’s mind, this season’s St.
John’s squad seems reminiscent of last season’s 10-19
Bruins. The Red Storm have lost all seven Big East conference
games, and their overall record stands at 4-13. However, Bozeman
said, that record is not indicative of their ability.
“They play hard,” Bozeman said. “Their record
wasn’t too hot last year (either).”
St. John’s was only 8-4 when they created a storm of their
own in Westwood. But the team the Bruins will face tomorrow is
significantly different than the one they lost to last year. The
Red Storm have lost All-Big-East guard Marcus Hatten, who averaged
over 20 points per game, and Anthony Glover, who averaged 10.6
points and five rebounds per game. Both were dominant forces on
last year’s squad.
One bright spot on UCLA’s radar is the return of shooting
guard Brian Morrison, who re-joined the Bruins on the court
Wednesday after sitting out nine games due to injury. Despite his
tentative performance against the Trojans, his three-point shooting
and his role in UCLA’s transition defense will be vital in
the next round of Pac-10 play. Tomorrow will bring him an
opportunity to get back into his rhythm.
Despite the chance to use Saturday’s game as a
turning-point in the season, coach Ben Howland is not a fan of
traveling east for a non-conference game during a crucial point in
the conference season.
“I would rather we get a chance to practice,” he
said. “We’re at that point in the season that we never
get a lot of time to practice, but that’s not something we
can really control.”
Citing the fast nature of the quarter system, Howland said the
time away from class is unnecessary for his players but that the
game, which will be televised on CBS, is a great recruiting
opportunity for UCLA.