COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT : Michigan Has Same Talent, New Attitude : West Regional: The Wolverines, who play UCLA today, have been more respectful toward foes.

Chris Webber has acknowledged the complaints against Michigan’s Fab Five the past two seasons by displaying disparaging quotes in his room.

The 6-foot-9 power forward offered some choice samples Saturday:

--Michigan is the country’s biggest underachiever.

--Webber is the country’s least improved player.

--Michigan’s showboating affects its play.

--Michigan is lackadaisical.

--Michigan lacks discipline.

“Nah, I really don’t even listen to that,” Webber said after reciting the examples.

Well, yes, the Wolverines listen to what is said about them, but they no longer are affected by it.

When they were five fabulous freshmen playing in the Final Four last season, the criticism stung almost as much as the 71-51 loss to Duke in the championship game.

But Webber, 19, and the Wolverines have grown.

They have learned that words are hurtful, and while still loose-lipped, Michigan players are more careful whose feelings they trample.

Instead of walking into the West Regional here with a feeling of invincibility, Michigan (27-4) is showing respect for its opponents. It might be nothing more than courtesy, but the No. 1-seeded Wolverines played the part well in their 84-53 victory over Coastal Carolina during the first round.

They were complimentary of the 16th-seeded Chanticleers before they sent them packing.

Now, Michigan is hoping to advance to the West Regional semifinals in Seattle with a victory over ninth-seeded UCLA today at McKale Court at about 1:45 p.m. PST, 30 minutes after the George Washington-Southern game. It will be televised on Channel 2.

Saturday, the Wolverines were praising UCLA (22-10), which tied for third with Arizona State in the Pacific 10 Conference.

Ray Jackson, a forward who is the least known of Michigan’s starters, said the Wolverines watched a tape of UCLA’s 78-67 defeat by Duke in Durham, N.C. They also watched UCLA eliminate Iowa State, 81-70, Friday night.

“I don’t think they know too much about us,” said Mitchell Butler, the Bruin captain.

Jackson, who had a career-high 19 points against Coastal Carolina, said it seemed UCLA’s front line could handle Michigan’s powerful inside players.

Wolverine Coach Steve Fisher was leading the pitch. He said the Bruins’ Richard Petruska, who played well against Iowa State, would be a handful for the Wolverines. But Petruska, 6 feet 10, 260 pounds, might have problems stopping Webber, an All-American.

“I don’t know,” Jackson said. “He looked real good to us.”

If UCLA has an advantage, it is knowing its opponent. Butler said the Bruins have seen Michigan on television so much, “you know what everyone on their team can do.”

Webber hasn’t seen many of the UCLA games.

“They don’t come on until 12 o’clock,” he said.

Michigan commands more attention than the subdued Bruins.

The Wolverines have come under national scrutiny since Webber, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, Jalen Rose and Jimmy King joined forces in Ann Arbor last season. Many fans adopted the free-spirited youngsters, but others were more discerning. They thought the young players too brash for their age.

Webber has said Michigan does not get the respect of Indiana, Duke, North Carolina or Georgetown because some dislike its attitude. “It’s a style a lot of people don’t agree with,” Webber said. “I understand why people don’t like it, but I don’t think it’s right or wrong.”

Jackson, the only starter not averaging in double figures, said all the talking keeps the team loose. The players have even tried teaching Coach Bill Frieder a few expressions. They are proud to note that they have persuaded their conservatively dressed coach to wear trendy baggy shorts to practice.

Anything to keep the kids happy.

“Ever since last year we’re like this traveling sideshow,” Webber told Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom.

That show is expected to conclude in New Orleans for this season’s Final Four.

The Bruins know that much is true.

“It will be a humongous obstacle for us to beat Michigan,” Butler said.