Pac-10 Veterans Provide Test

The Bruins, who got a major test last week when they headed into a hostile environment for the first time, get another this week when the Bay Area teams come to Pauley Pavilion.

California, tonight’s opponent, starts four seniors and one junior. So does Stanford, the visitor Saturday for the matchup of top-10 teams.

UCLA has juggled its opening lineup with regularity, but its representation the last game was three freshmen and two sophomores.

“I think the whole year, that will obviously be the challenge for this team,” Coach Steve Lavin said.

*

Dan Gadzuric is finally winning what has been an ongoing battle against his sore knees--perhaps only temporarily because tendinitis can flare again without warning--but a sore back is now causing problems.

TONIGHT

vs. California

7:30, Fox Sports West

* Site--Pauley Pavilion.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Bruins 11-3, 3-1; Bears 10-3, 1-2.

* Update--After starting 9-1, including a win over North Carolina, Cal has lost to Stanford and Oregon in the Pacific 10 Conference. Guard Geno Carlisle leads in scoring at 18.1 points a game. The other starter in the backcourt, Thomas Kilgore, had big games against the toughest opponents, getting 21 points and eight rebounds against Stanford and 21 points against North Carolina.