UCLA Is Re-Testing Its Roadability : Bruins, Seeking Title Route, Play at Stanford, Then Cal

They have played only two basketball games on the road since Dec. 21, but the UCLA Bruins remember what it feels like to play somewhere besides Pauley Pavilion, said Reggie Miller.

“You never forget the road, even though you probably want to sometimes,” Miller said.

Actually, it’s probably wise for Miller and the Bruins to be a little wary of what can happen on the road, where UCLA is 2-4 this season and 8-23 in Coach Walt Hazzard’s tenure.

The Bruins won their last two road games, but those were nearly a month ago in Arizona. If UCLA really expects to fulfill its promise in the Pacific 10 this season, the Bruins are going to have to muscle up and beat some more conference teams in their own buildings.

Right now, the road to the Pac-10 title goes through Stanford and Cal, which are the next two stops for the Bruins. UCLA can sweep the season series with both teams by winning, beginning with tonight’s game at Stanford.

“We’ve won 9 out of 10, so what can you say?” Miller asked. “We’re finding ways to win the games we have to win, and there are 10 games left. I feel like we’re OK. We get these two games and we’ll be in good shape.”

Neither figures to be easy for UCLA, but Hazzard promised that his team will be ready to play. “We’ll come out fighting,” he said.

Maybe it would be better if Miller came out shooting. He shot only seven times in UCLA’s last outing, a 61-60 victory over Washington State at Pauley, a game that was nearly a low-water mark for Miller.

Miller finished with four points, his lowest production since he was held to two points at Washington in early 1985.

When Miller analyzed his game, he blamed himself first and then his teammates.

“I had to involve myself more in the offense and I didn’t,” he said. “I wasn’t aggressive, but now I feel like my teammates will look for me more. In that game, when I was open, I didn’t get the ball, and when I wasn’t open I was getting it with two or three guys around me.”

The Bruins are 7-3 in the Pac-10 and 13-5 overall, and their record is reflected by an ability to win close games. Nine of UCLA’s 13 victories have been by five points or fewer. Five of their victories have been by three points or fewer, including three one-point wins.

It has gotten so that Pooh Richardson suggested that the Bruins pose for a team picture with every player holding a rabbit’s foot. Then he came up with a better idea.

“We’re not going to use rabbit’s feet,” he said. “We’re going to use the whole rabbit.”

Richardson, the most consistent Bruin this season, leads the team in assists and steals, is tied for the team lead in rebounds and is the second-leading scorer behind Miller.

But Richardson said the Bruins as a team need to raise their game to another level, which he is confident will happen.

“We’ll be all right,” he said. “Coach (Hazzard) is waiting for us to come into our own. If we can get these next two games, everything will be clicking for us. It’s only a matter of time, but I hope it’s now. We need it right now.”

Bruin Notes

Time of the Stanford game is 7:35 p.m. in the 7,500-seat Maples Pavilion. It will be broadcast by KMPC. . . . The Cardinal is 11-9 overall and 5-6 in the Pacific 10 and lost at Pauley, 95-75, when Reggie Miller had 23 points and Trevor Wilson had 22. . . . UCLA’s game with Cal is at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Harmon Gym. Channel 4 will carry it. . . . Miller, on playing Stanford and Cal: “These are the key games of the season. You look at those clubs and they don’t have that much talent, but they’re well coached. Stanford hasn’t won a lot of games, but I’m sure they’ll be up for us.” If Miller scores 15 points, he will move ahead of Bill Walton as UCLA’s second all-time leading scorer. Walton had 1,767 points in his UCLA career, which ended in 1973. . . . The Bruins are 9-1 since Charles Rochelin and Dave Immel became starters. . . . Montel Hatcher is 13 points away from 1,000 at UCLA.