Team needs Fey’s size, strength to earn Pac-10 success

So you’re wondering, where in the world is Michael Fey? Well, Ben Howland certainly has to be anyway. At 7-feet, 250 pounds, Fey, UCLA’s starting center, should be an imposing physical presence underneath the basket. But Fey has been invisible since conference play began. He failed to grab a single rebound in three straight Pac-10 […]

W. basketball: Bruin women eclipsed by Sun Devils’ hostile play

It takes a lot to get the usually mellow women’s basketball coach Kathy Olivier angry, but the physical play of Arizona State pushed her over the edge. “I’m very disappointed with the referees,” Olivier said. “It was not normal basketball. It was nonstop handchecking and fouling, so it was almost as if the referees had […]

The three reasons why UCLA almost got burned

Welcome to the dramatic world of UCLA basketball, where Cedric Bozeman fouling out can prove disastrous, where free throws are costly, and where, on Saturday night, even an 11-point lead with two minutes left isn’t safe. As UCLA coach Ben Howland put it so eloquently, “All these close games are getting a little monotonous.” UCLA […]

Basketball Preview: Young, talented players lead women’s team

Having relied on experience of its seniors last season, the UCLA women’s basketball program has taken a sip from the fountain of youth, and led by sophomore Nikki Blue and freshman Noelle Quinn, the Bruins have a new look this season. “It will be completely different this year,” Coach Kathy Olivier said. “We’re going to […]

W. basketball: Strong start not enough to secure win against Texas

Needing to boost her team’s strength of schedule for the NCAA selection committee in March, UCLA coach Kathy Olivier didn’t hesitate to sign the Bruins up for No. 2 Texas. Little did she know that her Bruins ““ who were at a huge disadvantage on paper ““ would be more than up to the task, […]