UCLA SCOUTING REPORT

* About UCLA: A victory tonight would give the Bruins their first nine-game winning streak since 1996-97, when the run reached 12 in a row. It would also mean Steve Lavin had won at least 22 games in each of his four seasons as coach. Four players have led the team in scoring during the streak, and four players have also led in rebounding, including guards Earl Watson and Billy Knight. The Bruins have been outrebounded only once in the last nine games.

Iowa State

* About Iowa State: UCLA’s revolving-door substitution pattern is a dramatic contrast to Iowa State, which avoids that problem by simply not substituting. The starters played the entire second half Saturday against Auburn and the reserves played a total of 16 minutes. That came after the opening-round win over Central Connecticut State, when the two players off the bench combined for 18 minutes. One of the key reserves, such as they are, is guard Brandon Hawkins from Crenshaw High. Hawkins averaged 12.9 minutes before the tournament and is the only Cyclone substitute to get at least eight minutes in the first two rounds.

* Keys to the game: Iowa State can’t come close to countering UCLA’s size, so the Bruins need to capitalize on that by getting big production on the boards and the scoreboard from Dan Gadzuric and Jerome Moiso. That makes point guard Watson a double key. He must take care of the ball and not waste chances to pound it inside and must also contain Cyclone Jamaal Tinsley when the Bruins go man-to-man. Otherwise, Tinsley can break down the defense off the dribble and get penetration.

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UCLA (21-11) vs. Iowa State (31-4)

6:45 p.m.* today at Auburn Hills, Mich.

*Time approximate