Lavin Starting to Consider Young Look

With JaRon Rush shooting 31.5% the last seven games, Coach Steve Lavin said he is considering a lineup change that would make Ray Young a starter today against Washington.

Lavin was unable to say for sure Saturday because part of his decision depends on whether Dan Gadzuric will be ready to return to the opening lineup.

Gadzuric missed one game because of a sprained ankle and came of the bench Thursday at Washington State. But the ankle, and tendinitis in both knees, apparently worsened after he played 21 minutes against the Cougars.

If Gadzuric does not start, Lavin could move Jerome Moiso to center and Rush to power forward, creating an opportunity for Young.

Or, the Bruins could simply replace Rush with Young at small forward.

Either way, Gadzuric appears likely to play.

Rush leads UCLA in rebounding during Pac-10 play, but he is down to 35.1% overall in shooting.

Lavin’s hope is that Young, a better outside shooter and also a good defender, could be a boost to the perimeter game.

“We need both,” Lavin said. “Both could play 28-30 minutes a game.”

Coming up: Thursday vs. Oregon; Feb. 7 vs. Oregon Sate.

At Washington

12:30 p.m., Channel 7

* Site--Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

* Radio--KXTA (1150)

* Records--Bruins 15-4, 6-2; Huskies 11-7, 4-4.

* Update--Washington could go from being one of the success stories of the 1998 tournament to not even making it this year. Even with most of its key players back. Now, it has to play No. 11 UCLA and No. 13 Arizona in consecutive games.