UCLA at a Glance
Last season: 21-12 overall, 11-7 in Pacific 10 play.
Finish: Sixth in the Pac-10, reached the NCAA West Regional semifinal while seeded No. 8, beating No. 9 Mississippi and No. 1 Cincinnati before losing to No. 12 Missouri.
Coach: Steve Lavin, seventh season, 135-59.
Who’s gone: Center Dan Gadzuric, forward Matt Barnes and guards Billy Knight and Rico Hines.
Who’s new: Centers Michael Fey and Ryan Hollins, forward Marcedes Lewis, guards Ray Young and Jon Crispin.
Projected starters: Forwards Jason Kapono (16 points, 5.1 rebounds) and Dijon Thompson (4.5 points, 2.2 rebounds), center T.J. Cummings (7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds), guards Cedric Bozeman (4 points, 3.5 assists) and Ray Young (7 points, 2.2 rebounds in 2000-01).
Keys to season: The development -- especially on defense -- of freshman post players Michael Fey and Ryan Hollins is needed to overcome the loss of Gadzuric and Barnes. Point guards Cedric Bozeman and Ryan Walcott must continue to improve. Strong perimeter shooting from Kapono, Young and Crispin is essential.
Outlook: Getting 20 wins will be a challenge with a grueling nonconference schedule. UCLA is picked to finish third in the Pac-10.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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