Howland Plans to Supersize Lineup

It was Steve Lavin’s last grand vision for the Bruins, to someday team two 7-footers on the court. He recruited Michael Fey and got Ryan Hollins as a transfer but oversaw only their incubation period as freshmen before being fired.

Someday is today, it turns out. Lavin’s vision is now Ben Howland’s patchwork plan against UC Riverside.

With no reliable power forward eligible or healthy, Howland will start Hollins at the position, moving him from backup center. Fey, who scored 20 points in the opener against Vermont, is the starting center. The two practiced together -- instead of against each other -- for the first time this week.

“I know forward as a second position,” Hollins said. “It doesn’t come as natural to me yet, but it’s not hard to learn.”

Hollins often played power forward last season, but in Lavin’s scheme the position was almost identical to center. Howland’s offense requires forwards to be active on the perimeter, cutting off of screens and slashing to the basket.

“Down the road, I’ll probably be the power forward, so I might as well do it now,” Hollins said. “I never felt like I was a true low-post player, anyway.”

Josiah Johnson started at power forward against Vermont. However, he had difficulty defending Taylor Coppenrath, who scored 38 points in UCLA’s one-point victory. Howland said senior post player John Hoffart will play tonight as well.

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X-rays Monday showed that the collapsed lung of forward Trevor Ariza is filling with air but is not yet fully expanded. Ariza did not play against Vermont and is expected to sit out at least three more games. He will have a CT scan today at UCLA Medical Center.

“He may not come back until January,” Howland said. “He’s at one of the top hospitals in the country. Whatever they tell us, that’s what we’ll do.”