There doesn’t appear to be a late-season run in the
Bruins’ future. With 12 regular-season games remaining and
the bottom of the standings creeping up, time is running out for
UCLA men’s basketball.
The current losing streak is six games and it may become seven
after UCLA hosts No. 22 Oregon tonight.
No Bruin has ever experienced losing this way.
“I’ve only lost six in a row in blackjack and I lost
80 bucks,” senior forward Jason Kapono said. “I’m
a smart better and I’d rather lose 80 dollars than these
games.”
The last time the Bruins (4-11, 2-5 Pac-10) lost six straight
games was 55 years ago, one year before John Wooden took over the
team and revolutionized college basketball. But like blackjack,
it’s still all about chance.
“You know to expect the unexpected with Oregon,”
UCLA head coach Steve Lavin said. “We’re playing at an
unacceptable level on both ends of the floor. You can expect them
to come in, push the ball and attack.”
Fortunately for the Bruins, Ducks forward Luke Jackson lacerated
his ring finger last week. He will not play, leaving Oregon without
his 16 points per game and a Pac-10 leading 2.24 steals per
game.
“Oregon’s attack on offense and defense will remain
the same,” added Lavin. “Jackson’s just one less
weapon. They’re down a very talented and experienced
player.”
There is still the other All-American candidate, junior Luke
Ridnour. He averages 19 points per game and leads the Pac-10 at 6.5
assists per game.
He leads an offense that is averaging 84 points per game. The
Bruins average only 73.
The stakes remain very high for both teams. Oregon (14-4, 4-3)
is trying to repeat as Pac-10 champion and every win is important.
UCLA on the other hand just wants to taste victory again, which it
hasn’t since Jan. 4 at Washington State.
“We’re playing UCLA like they’re the national
champion,” Oregon head coach Ernie Kent said. “UCLA has
the athleticism, and they can rise up and play with anybody in the
country.”
A win for the Bruins seems more desperate, though. UCLA has not
won at home since beating Portland in a non-conference game Dec.
14.
“It’s beyond the sense of urgency,” Lavin
said. “From coaches to players, there aren’t a lot of
happy campers.”
Losing may be difficult, but recently it’s been reality
for the Bruins.
“Not even at Penn State did I lose six in a row,”
junior guard Jon Crispin said. “It’s strange because I
came here to win.”