UCLA provides all the drama

The NCAA tournament record book will forever read that UCLA qualified for three consecutive regional finals from 2006 to 2008, the first time that has happened since John Wooden’s reign.

Now, let us take a brief timeout to reassess.

The Bruins are back in the Elite Eight, but not without throwing heart-racing fear into their fans for the second time in as many games. After the great escape against Texas A&M; last weekend, UCLA turned what appeared to be a blowout victory over Western Kentucky into a second-half panic attack, watching a 21-point lead melt to four under the heat of a frantic Hilltoppers press.

The final score was UCLA 88, Western Kentucky 78, but viewers who weathered the storm know the true story. The victory moved the Bruins into Saturday’s West Regional final against Xavier, which had to overcome its own bout of anxiety in a 79-75 overtime triumph over West Virginia.

That gives CBS a power-laden Saturday menu, with UCLA-Xavier tipping off at 3:40 p.m., followed by North Carolina-Louisville in the East Regional at 6:05 p.m.

Bottom line: What’s good for UCLA is good for CBS too. The possibility of a UCLA-North Carolina final -- or, failing that, UCLA-Kansas -- is fueling the tournament with interest and expectation that needs no extra stoking. And if the Bruins throw in some second-half dramatics along the way, CBS will just sit back and enjoy the ratings.

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Also available for viewing this weekend:

Boston Red Sox at Dodgers (Saturday, 7 p.m., Channel 9): The Coliseum basks in nostalgia as the Dodgers try to re-create the pre-Dodger Stadium experience and break the world record for attendance at a baseball game. Those planning to be among the expected throng of 115,000 are advised to start looking for a parking space now.

For everyone else, Channel 9 will provide coverage. If all goes well, the Coliseum can try to re-create another long-lost experience and bring back the Rams or the Raiders for an exhibition.

Angels at San Diego Padres (tonight, 7, Channel 13) and Padres at Angels (Saturday, 6 p.m., FSNW): No what-was-it-like-when story line for the Angels in their final preseason tune-ups. Best hook the Angels can manage: See if we can get through the weekend without losing another starting pitcher.

Memphis Grizzlies at Lakers (tonight, 7:30, FSNW) and Washington Wizards at Lakers (Sunday, 6:30 p.m., FSNW): Speaking of hooks, Kobe Bryant’s next technical foul comes with an automatic one-game suspension from the league.

Stanford versus Texas (today, 4:15 p.m., Channel 2): Another proving ground for the Pacific 10 Conference, which has had to all but apologize for advancing half of its NCAA tournament field to the Sweet 16. Stanford, which barely escaped Anaheim and the second round, has a daunting assignment: Trying to find an answer for Texas’ outstanding backcourt -- and doing the searching in Houston.

Villanova versus Kansas (tonight, 6:30, Channel 2): The Wildcats, seeded No. 12 in the Midwest Regional, discover that Detroit is not Tampa, the land that logic momentarily forgot, and that Kansas is not Clemson.

Galaxy at Colorado Rapids (Saturday, 6:30 p.m., FSC): David Beckham, you just became the fifth man in 136 years to make 100 appearances for England’s national soccer team -- where do you go from here? To Colorado, for the start of a new Major League Soccer season, which is something Billy Wright, Bobby Moore, Sir Bobby Charlton and Peter Shilton never said. Trivia note: At the pace Beckham racked up MLS appearances last season -- he had five -- he would need to play until 2026 to reach the MLS century mark.

Chivas USA at FC Dallas (Sunday, noon, Prime): Last season, Chivas served as the control group for professional soccer in Los Angeles: No Beckham, no hype, no global media obsession -- and Chivas was the only Home Depot Center tenant to make the playoffs. Symbolically enough, Chivas begins Season Two of the experiment on the day after Beckham gives it another go in Colorado.

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christine.daniels@latimes.com