Huskies vs. Bruins: It's the big game of the season ... for now
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UW at UCLA, 8 p.m., FSN
The pairing of No. 22 Washington at No. 20 UCLA tonight isn’t merely the Pacific-10 Conference game of the day, or even the week. It’s the game of the season.
Bigger games may develop as the four schools clustered within two games of league-leading Washington battle through the final three weekends of the regular season.
But as of now, the current leader’s visit to the historic home of the defending Pac-10 champion is the kind of match that draws attention across the conference.
• Oregon State coach Craig Robinson: “Wow, that’s going to be a good game. I think that the biggest difference between those two teams (is) Washington’s focus is getting the ball and shoving it down your throat as fast as they can. (While UCLA is) more of a defensive-minded team that can score a lot of points. So that would be a nice matchup because you’ll have Washington’s offense against UCLA’s defense.”
Actually, for all of the Bruins’ traditional defensive reputation, this game pairs the top two offenses in the Pac-10: Washington averaged 83 points per game, UCLA averaged 73.8. UCLA is third in scoring defense (allowing 62 ppg), while UW is ninth (69.8).
• Arizona interim coach Russ Pennell: “Both of those teams are very, very physical, and I think it might come down to the foul line: who can stay out of foul trouble, and which team can make the most free throws, because I think they’re pretty evenly matched. And I think from a fan’s perspective, you’re going to see a very physical up-and-down basketball game.”
That was the last thing the Huskies wanted to hear last season, when they were last in the league with .586 free throw percentage.
However, this season has become a different story.
UCLA ranks second in the Pac-10 with a free throw percentage of .761, but UW is right behind with a .751 average.
And Washington gets to the line more than any other team in the league, taking almost twice as many free throws as UCLA: 398 to 201.
• California coach Mike Montgomery: “UCLA has got an awful lot of pride. That’s not to say that Washington doesn’t; I’m just saying that over the years when they’ve got their backs to the wall, they’ve responded pretty favorably. At home, against a team that is obviously very talented, I would think that you probably bring out the best in UCLA. ... Because of the number of teams that still have a chance, (this game is) not for the championship; but it will go a long ways, I think, to help determine that.”
Washington will walk on to the court at Pauley Pavilion with the Pac-10 lead and will walk off the same way – regardless of result.
This week of Pac-10 play begins with Washington (10-3) one game ahead of Arizona State (9-4). However, the Sun Devils are off until Sunday, so they can’t pick up more than half a game tonight. And the Huskies have a 11/2-game lead over UCLA and California (8-4) and two games over Arizona (8-5), so those schools can’t catch up tonight, either.
However, a UW loss would make a tight race even tighter. A Huskies win would not only help them mathematically, but it would go a long way toward convincing skeptics who – despite UW’s current lead – seem more impressed by Arizona’s seven-game winning streak, Cal’s season sweep of the Huskies, No 14 Arizona State’s higher national ranking, and of course, UCLA’s far greater tradition including 11 national championships as well as ongoing streaks of three consecutive Pac-10 championships and three Final Four appearances in a row.
UW coach Lorenzo Romar takes no offense.
“I don’t think there’s any question that (UCLA’s tradition) can be an advantage,” he said. “... Darren Collison, Alfred Aboya, Josh Shipp – those guys have been around. Nikola Dragovic has been on the team, Michael Roll has been on the team. They’ve got enough guys on that team that have played in the Final Four and have won this conference to know what that means.”
Washington will have to counter its lack of outright Pac-10 titles with a desire to get one.
“As far as goals for this team, I think that’s what has to be on our radar right now,” senior forward Jon Brockman said. “... I think winning the Pac-10 championship is something that we need to really focus in on these last few weeks.”
Don Ruiz, 253-597-8808
blogs.thenewstribune.com/uwsports
UW MEN’S GAMEDAY
NO. 22 WASHINGTON (19-6, 10-3 PacIFIC-10 CONFERENCE) AT NO. 20 UCLA (19-6, 8-4)
Tipoff: 8 p.m., Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles.
TV: FSN.
Radio: 950-AM.
Series: UCLA leads 89-36 overall and 57-6 at home. The teams split the last two season series. UW won the earlier meeting this season, 86-75, in Seattle on Jan. 24.
Statistical leaders: For UW, G Isaiah Thomas, 16.5 ppg and 2.7 apg; F Jon Brockman, 11.1 rpg. For UCLA, G Darren Collison, 14.8 ppg and 4.8 apg; F Alfred Aboya, 5.6 rpg.
Scouting report: These are the two highest-scoring teams in the Pac-10. UW leads the league with an 80.4-point average, while the Bruins average 76.1. UW also leads the league in rebounding margin, while UCLA leads in scoring margin, field goal percentage, steals, and turnover margin. ... The Bruins take the court after having lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. ... UCLA’s next win will produce the school’s 45th 20-win season. ... Seniors Aboya and Collison hold the UCLA record for most games played in a career (132). However, Aboya has missed practice this week due to flu-like symptoms. He is listed as probable for tonight. ... UCLA forward Nikola Dragovic is shooting .455 on 3-pointers since the start of Pac-10 play and .485 since he moved into the starting lineup Jan. 11 at USC.
Next: 4 p.m. Saturday, at USC, Galen Center, Los Angeles.
Don Ruiz, The News Tribune
