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UCLA on the rise

By David Wharton
Staff WriterFollow
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The relationship between UCLA and the national polls continued its roller-coaster ride this week as the Bruins worked their way back up the rankings.

Coming off a sweep of the Oregon schools at home, the Bruins (24-7, 13-5) rose from No. 20 to No. 15 in the Associated Press poll. Their standing improved from No. 17 to No. 14 in the coaches poll.

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It’s not quite as lofty a position as UCLA enjoyed at the start of the season, when voters had the team at No. 4, but it’s an improvement from several weeks ago, when the Bruins were close to falling out of the Top 25.

At least two experts who predict the NCAA tournament pairings were also impressed.

Joe Lunardi, of ESPN’s Bracketology, now has the Bruins as a fourth seed in the South Region. CBSSports.com’s Jerry Palm has them as a fourth seed in the East.

-- David Wharton

Sports Now
David Wharton

David Wharton has filled an array of roles – covering the courts, entertainment, sports and the second Persian Gulf War – since starting as a Los Angeles Times intern in 1982. His work has been honored by organizations such as the Society for Features Journalism and Associated Press Sports Editors and has been anthologized in “Best American Sports Writing.” He has also been nominated for an Emmy and has written two books, including “Conquest,” an inside look at USC football during the Pete Carroll era.

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