Wandering Kansas Wends Its Way to Wondering UCLA

It’s a big game by way of Maui, Chicago and stops in between, but Kansas finally has found its way to Westwood for a game that may or may not rekindle UCLA’s Final Four dreams.

The Jayhawks, No. 1 in both wire-service polls and frequent-flier statements, finish a wandering few weeks of travel today at Pauley Pavilion, home of the very rested, very untested No. 17 Bruins.

Do the 6-0 Jayhawks, who beat No. 4 Cincinnati in Chicago on Wednesday to give them five victories away from home, know what to expect today, especially considering their devastating come-from-behind blowout of the Bruins in Lawrence, Kan., a season ago?

“I think,” Kansas Coach Roy Williams said, “we’ll catch UCLA with their best shot.”

UCLA opened the season Nov. 20 with an overtime loss to Tulsa, had 13 days off before defeating Cal State Northridge last Tuesday, and today has this nationally televised showdown to show whether it has moved past the disruption caused by the sudden firing of Jim Harrick last month.

“The seniors have something to prove, the coaching staff has something to prove, and we as a team have something to prove to the nation,” senior Charles O’Bannon said.

In last season’s memorable game at Allen Fieldhouse, UCLA played almost perfect basketball for a half, leading at one point by 19 points, and at the half, 41-26.

But then, with Bruin point guard Cameron Dollar suffering from injuries to both hands, Kansas point guard Jacque Vaughn dominating the floor, and the crowd in pandemonium, Kansas overwhelmed the Bruins, winning, 85-70.

“I think, in my career, that will be probably the craziest game I’ll ever play,” Dollar said, before pointing to three fingers on his left hand. “I was dribbling with just these fingers right here. That was pretty wild.”

Dollar injured his left little finger, played 25 minutes, and had five turnovers and only two assists.

This season, Vaughn is out at least until January because of a wrist injury--and Dollar is injury free.

“When I found out he got hurt, I was sad for him--and for us,” Dollar said of Vaughn. “Because we always run into each other in the summer, and we talk about playing against each other.

“Last year, I didn’t have all my facilities to play against him. And this year, he’s not even in the game. It kind of puts a damper on it for me.”