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Lavin Not Looking Ahead

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NCAA or NIT?

Either way, Bruin Coach Steve Lavin says, it wouldn’t matter.

With six games remaining, including a matchup against No. 1 Stanford on March 4, an NCAA bid seems like a longshot for UCLA.

Nonetheless, Lavin said the NIT is also something to be proud of and his team shouldn’t be looked upon as a disappointment if the Bruins were to take that route.

“Our focus since the beginning of the season has been winning the national championship,” Lavin said.

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Going into tonight’s game against Oregon, the Bruins are in seventh place in the conference, but because of UCLA’s RPI standing (35)--and one of the nation’s strongest schedules--the team still has a chance of reaching the 64-team NCAA field.

“We can talk about all the formulas,” Lavin said, “but if we don’t win, we won’t get in.”

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Freshman Jason Kapono, the Bruins’ leading scorer, missed Monday’s practice because of a minor knee injury. However, Lavin says the 6-foot-7 forward will be in tonight’s starting lineup against Oregon.

TONIGHT

vs. Oregon

7:30, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Pauley Pavilion.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--UCLA 13-11, 4-8 Pac-10; Oregon 18-6, 9-4.

* Update--The Ducks, winless at Pauley Pavilion since 1984, handed the Bruins a 73-58 loss Jan. 29 at Eugene. UCLA has lost three in a row for the second time this season. Oregon, coming off a loss at home to Washington, needs to win two of its next six games to record its first 20-win season in 25 years.

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