Injured Edney Hopeful for Opener as Bruins Roll in Final Tuneup

Tyus Edney sat out UCLA’s 90-74 exhibition victory over the AAU Lafayette Hustlers at Pauley Pavilion Tuesday night, but he said he isn’t going to miss the season opener Saturday against Loyola Marymount.

“There’s no way I’m not going to play,” said Edney, the 5-foot-10 point guard who led the Bruins in assists last season, but who has been troubled by tendinitis in his left knee since the beginning of practice.

Edney might be eager, but he isn’t ready to play 40 minutes.

“Uh, no, not that number,” said Edney.

Against the Hustlers, the Bruins hung a formidable number on the Indiana team, a sixth consecutive defeat. Six UCLA players scored in double figures, led by Shon Tarver with 19 points and George Zidek with 17.

Zidek, who also had 10 rebounds, might have won the starting center job, Coach Jim Harrick said.

“Maybe, just maybe,” Harrick said. “I’d hate not to have a guy of any size (at center).”

Freshman Cameron Dollar started for Edney and played 18 scoreless minutes without an assist.

Harrick hopes Edney can play against Loyola.

“I just don’t want him to re-injure (his knee),” Harrick said. “If I can play him 20 minutes, I’d take that.”