Taking a Place in the Rank and File

Although March Madness is months away, it’s never too early to glance at the power ratings. The Bruins (3-3), who have yet to beat a winning team, have a Ratings Percentage Index of 140--eighth in the Pacific 10 Conference--and are 104th in the Sagarin ratings. Among the schools rated higher in the Sagarin are Holy Cross (100), Jacksonville (91) and Rutgers (89).

“We’re not playing good basketball--so obviously I’m not getting the job done,” said UCLA Coach Steve Lavin, whose team has beaten Kentucky, UC Santa Barbara and Hawaii. Those schools have a combined record of 6-12.

Lavin said he’s not overly concerned about the slow start, especially in light of last season’s surge in which the Bruins closed their Pac-10 schedule with six consecutive victories to secure an NCAA tournament bid.

“It’s very early,” he said. “November and December are more important now than they were in the ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s or ‘70s. But ultimately it comes down to how you’re playing late in the year.”

*

Before its four-point victory Saturday over California, UC Irvine had lost nine consecutive games to Pac-10 teams. The Anteaters do have the distinction of being the only Southern California team--aside from USC--with more than one victory over UCLA. The schools have split their four meetings, the last being a 134-101 victory by UCLA in 1990. The Bruins play host to the Anteaters on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.