Second Time Around Is Key

To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and UCLA has plenty to prove in that quest.

The Bruins defeated NCAA tournament-quality opponents in nonconference play, knocking off Kansas, Alabama and Georgetown in convincing fashion.

The Pacific 10 Conference has been another story.

UCLA (15-6, 7-4) has lost to Oregon, USC, Arizona and Stanford while beating up on the lower echelon--sweeping four games against the Washington schools and defeating California, Arizona State and Oregon State.

To fulfill the expectations of a team that, with four returning starters, was picked to win the Pac-10 title and believes it can reach the Final Four, the second time around the conference must include victories over top opponents.

Although the Pac-10 tournament the second weekend in March reduces the importance of the regular season, games against other NCAA tournament-bound teams are viewed closely by the selection committee. The difference between a No. 2 or 3 seeding and a No. 5 or 6 could be the outcome of, say, Wednesday’s game between UCLA and USC.

For seeding purposes, it’s also useful to have a kick down the stretch--which begins about now.

The regular-season title is still up for grabs. First-place Oregon (17-5, 9-2) is 4-5 away from home and must travel to Stanford, California, UCLA and USC. The Trojans (16-5, 8-3) and Arizona (15-6, 8-3) are tied for second, the Bruins are one game behind them and Stanford (13-6, 6-4) is another half-game back.

“We’ve got a lot of big games coming up soon,” center Dan Gadzuric said. “We know what we need to do and we know it can be done.”

Steve Henson