Sophomores Are the Veterans

The Bruins opened practice as one of the nation’s youngest teams with five freshman and seven sophomores.

Three of those freshman--center Dan Gadzuric, forward Jerome Moiso and small forward JaRon Rush--could be in the starting lineup when UCLA begins the 1998-99 season against Santa Clara on Nov. 19 at Pauley Pavilion.

Moiso has been particularly impressive, showing quick passes and outside shooting not normally associated with a 6-foot-10 1/2 player.

“He has such an unusual arsenal of skills,” Coach Steve Lavin said. “You watch him make a play and you’re like, ‘Did he just do that?’ ”

But every time Lavin gets excited about his team, he stops to remind himself there may be rough days ahead as the youngsters struggle to mature. The onus will be on returning guards Earl Watson and Baron Davis, who is expected to return from off-season knee surgery in the next few weeks.

“I say, ‘Veterans, you’ve got to talk to the young guys,’ ” Lavin said. “Then I laugh because my veterans are just sophomores.”

Still, Davis has tried to do his part from the sideline, urging Gadzuric to get back on defense, applauding a dunk by Rush.

“You don’t want to sit there like a total mute,” Davis said. “You have to try to participate as much as possible.”

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UCLA plays the California All-Stars at 7:30 tonight in an exhibition game at Pauley Pavilion. The all-star team lost to New Mexico, 102-101, on Monday night at Albuquerque.