Howland finds some meaning in momentum

This UCLA game today against Washington, it doesn’t seem to mean much.

The second-ranked Bruins (26-3, 15-2) already are Pacific 10 Conference champions.

They probably have earned one of the four No. 1 seedings in the NCAA tournament. As other contenders for those coveted top seedings have lost lackluster games (North Carolina, Florida), key players (Wisconsin) or their offense (Ohio State scored 49 points in beating the Badgers in its last outing), UCLA has cheerily gone about winning tough road games and buffing up each part of its game.

Momentum, that’s what is at stake for UCLA when it plays the Huskies (17-12, 7-10).

Winning every game matters, says Bruins Coach Ben Howland. It’s why Howland didn’t send reserve center Alfred Aboya home Friday.

Though he scored eight points in Thursday’s conference title-clinching win over 13th-ranked Washington State and happily talked about the state of his baby hook shot -- “I’m making it, right?” Aboya said -- the sophomore had taken a hard shot to his left knee. Though Aboya played after taking the hit from Cougars center Aron Baynes, UCLA trainer Carrie Rubertino told Howland Thursday night that Aboya was in pain.

When the Bruins arrived here Friday afternoon and headed to practice, Aboya went to have an X-ray on his knee.

“I want to win,” Howland said when asked why he didn’t just send Aboya home. “I want him to play.”

Though the knee was swollen and painful Friday, the X-ray results were negative. No structural damage was found and Aboya was told he should be available against Washington.

“Momentum,” Howland said. “It’s important. We’re trying to win this game as if we have to win because we need to win. We’re fighting to be one of the higher seeds.”

Aboya has averaged nearly five rebounds and six points while playing an average of 19 minutes over the last six games.

“Alfred has really come on in the second half of the season,” Howland said.

Starting center Lorenzo Mata sprained his left thumb Thursday night, but he is also expected to play. Sophomore Ryan Wright and freshman James Keefe might get extra minutes against Washington because of Aboya’s sore knee.

Keefe, a highly ranked high school player out of Santa Margarita, has averaged only 6.6 minutes of play.

“Bottom line,” Howland said, “he’s playing behind three really good big guys [Mata, Aboya and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute]. Keefe’s going to be a solid player for us in our program. And he may get more opportunities than I anticipated starting tomorrow.”

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Howland says he is absolutely positive USC has already earned its spot in the NCAA tournament.

“Not only is ‘SC in,” Howland said, “ ‘SC’s a five seed. They sweep the Oregon schools, beat Wichita State. They have 12 conference wins [actually 11]. I know that’s enough.”

Howland also said he’s sure that Washington State, Oregon, Arizona and Stanford are safely in the NCAA field.

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TODAY

at Washington, 11 a.m., Channel 2

Site -- Bank of America Arena, Seattle

Radio -- 570

Records -- UCLA 26-3, 15-2 Pacific 10 Conference; Washington 17-12, 7-10

Update -- The Huskies, who will finish seventh in the Pac-10 and open the conference tournament Wednesday against 10th-place Arizona State, have five players averaging in double figures, led by center Spencer Hawes (15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds a game), who has set freshman school records for points (429) and blocked shots (48). The Huskies are 16-2 at home this year.

diane.pucin@latimes.com