• UCLA at UW, 1 p.m., FSN
There will be a fascinating sideshow going on at Hec Edmundson Pavilion this afternoon, where brothers Justin Holiday of Washington and Jrue Holiday of UCLA will oppose each other for the first time.
However, that attraction seemed destined to be somewhat ignored today as most eyes focus on the center ring, where the Huskies and Bruins will play for sole possession of first place in the Pacific-10 Conference men’s basketball race.
That’s a position the Huskies haven’t been in since January 2005. However, coach Lorenzo Romar’s goal is to have his team approach every game the same way – even as the anticipatory buzz around campus sends signals that this one is special.
“Our players are not living in caves,” Romar said. “Everyone knows what’s at stake. But that’s not our main focus. Our main focus is playing the best basketball we can play.”
First place in the conference is far more familiar territory for UCLA – the three-time defending champion. And experience tells the Bruins that even though there’s never a bad time to be on top, Pac-10 titles aren’t decided in January.
“Of course, it’s better to be in first place than down below,” Bruins coach Ben Howland said. “... But then again, the last three years that we won the conference championship, it’s gone down to the last weekend. ... That just speaks to the competitiveness of the Pac-10.”
Washington and UCLA are both 5-1 in league play after tight wins Thursday against USC and Washington State, respectively. UW’s only league loss came at home in triple overtime to California, while UCLA’s came at home against Arizona State.
Those two teams – ASU and Cal – are right behind the leaders with two league losses.
Howland said his team’s key today is holding its own on the boards. Romar said the Bruins present their usual variety of challenges.
“(Junior forward Nikola) Dragovic has given them a shooting component at a big position that is working out really well for them,” he said. “They’ve got an All-American point guard (Darren Collison). They play stellar defense. They don’t turn the ball over. They will not beat themselves. ...
“Jrue is a stellar defender and a very, very creative basketball player offensively. He has some unbelievable instincts. He can play on the floor with any other combination of guys.”
Today, there’s more interest in who he’s playing against.
Until now, the Holiday brothers have been teammates, straight through Campbell Hall High School. They’ve never played against each other, except for hotly contested games in the family driveway in North Hollywood, Calif.
That ended after older brother Justin chose UW. Jrue also considered it carefully, but finally decided to play just 15 minutes from his parents’ home.
“My brother is really close to me,” Jrue Holiday said. “We’ve been together our whole life – we shared a room and everything. So, it came down to (UCLA and UW). It really came down to the wire.”
The brother’s games are significantly different.
Justin is 6-foot-6, more sound than spectacular, and considers himself among the best defenders in the Pac-10. Jrue is 6-3, was more highly recruited, is flashier and is more of an offensive threat, averaging 9.5 points per game.
“I want to guard him,” Justin Holiday said Friday. “But at the same time, I want to stop the person who’s hurting us the most. I’m not just going to single myself out guarding him. ... I’m playing my brother for first place. It will make the game more exciting.”
Don Ruiz, 253-597-8808
blogs.thenewstribune.com/uwsports
UW MEN’S BASKETBALL GAMEDAY
NO. 13 UCLA (15-3, 5-1 Pac-10) at Washington (14-4, 5-1)
Tipoff: 1 p.m., Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
TV: FSN. Radio: 950-AM.
Series: UCLA leads 89-35 overall and 31-28 in Seattle. The teams split last season. The home team has won the last five meetings.
Statistical leaders: For UCLA, G Darren Collison, 14.6 ppg and 5.4 apg; C Alfred Aboya, 5.3 rpg. For UW, G Isaiah Thomas, 15.9 ppg and 3.1 apg; F Jon Brockman, 10.8 rpg.
Scouting report: The winner will stand alone atop the conference standings. ... UCLA has won 11 of its last 12 road games in league play. ... Aboya, a senior, recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in UCLA’s win over Arizona last week. Collison is one of only three Bruins to record 500 assists and 200 steals in a career. ... UCLA leads the league in scoring margin (plus-16.9). Washington leads in rebounding margin (plus-11.6). UCLA is third in that category (plus-5.5). The Bruins are second behind Arizona State in 3-point field goals made (7.5 per game). UW is last (4.2).
Next: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, at Arizona, McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz.; FSN.
Don Ruiz, The News Tribune
