Schedule Bonus for the Bruins

It’s a quirk in the schedule that doesn’t bother UCLA.

Because a Pacific 10 Conference tournament will take place for the first time in many years, conference games were played before Christmas.

The Bruins made a trip to Washington, where they had lost four in a row, and won. Then they went to Washington State and won again.

“We’re real glad that trip is out of the way,” center Dan Gadzuric said.

“It always gave us problems.”

Now Washington and Washington State must travel to Los Angeles, meaning that UCLA will finish its season series against those schools before it begins any other.

It also means the Bruins have a great opportunity to open 4-0 in Pac-10 play--as well as extend their winning streak to nine games heading into a showdown with USC on Thursday at the Forum.

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Gadzuric woke from an early season slump at Washington, scoring 23 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in UCLA’s 85-79 victory.

He hopes for an encore in front of a home crowd.

“I’ve played well since then when I’m not in foul trouble,” he said. “If they make adjustments, I’ll make some too.”

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Freshman point guard Cedric Bozeman is expected to play about 10 minutes as a reserve, his first game since having knee surgery Dec. 3. Bozeman was expected to play last week against Columbia and Georgetown, but Coach Steve Lavin said he wants to err on the side of caution with the talented newcomer.

TONIGHT

vs. Washington, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Pauley Pavilion.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KPLS (830).

Records--No. 14 UCLA 9-2, 2-0; Washington 6-6, 0-2.

Update--The Bruins have won seven in a row, most recently an impressive 98-91 slugfest over then No. 20 Georgetown. Washington lost to Saint Louis on Saturday after falling to UCLA and USC at home in Pac-10 games.