UCLA takes on Oregon State tonight, still hoping for title

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Expect a grind-it-out game tonight when the Pac-10’s third-best defense -- and second-worst offense -- come to Pauley Pavilion. Oregon State is a much better team than when it hosted the Bruins in January and was thumped, 69-46.

A slow pace would actually suit Ben Howland, whose Bruins have had an uncharacteristic season with a high-scoring offense (76.4 points per game, second in the Pac-10) and a middle-of-the-pack defense (63.7 ppg, fifth in the Pac-10).

In a news conference this week, Howland previewed the Beavers’ zone defense and their offense:

The Bruins must win their final home stand and hope for Washington State to upset Washington to split the conference title with the Huskies.

-- Adam Rose