Roles Have Been Reversed

Not so long ago, UCLA beating Arizona State was as predictable as a sun-drenched day at Cactus League spring training sites.

But thunderstorms pelted the Phoenix area Friday. And the Sun Devils are looking for their third victory in four games against the Bruins.

UCLA had a streak of 22 consecutive victories against Arizona State end here Feb. 17, 2000. The Bruins won both games in the 2000-2001 season, but lost to the Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion for the first time ever last season.

Arizona State again won at UCLA on Jan. 18 and would appear to hold a substantial edge today.

In his sixth season, Coach Rob Evans has built a contender for the NCAA tournament. The Sun Devils have had trouble beating good teams but are taking care of business against the downtrodden. Which, of course, includes UCLA, loser of 10 of 11.

“Game in and game out they play as hard as anybody in the conference,” UCLA Coach Steve Lavin said.

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T.J. Cummings isn’t happy about not starting. But the perpetually sunny junior post player is rolling with his recent reserve role. He warmly slapped hands with Lavin in the hotel lobby before practice Friday.

“He wants to start, he’s competitive,” Lavin said. “But he understands we are looking at different combinations.”

Cummings started 15 games in a row after coming off the bench against Duke because he was late to a meeting. But freshman Ryan Hollins took his spot with an inspired performance on Jan. 30 against Oregon.

Cummings has been spotty, shooting well one game, rebounding well in another. Rarely has he put together a complete performance.

He made four of five shots in the first half of the 106-70 loss to Arizona on Thursday, but he missed his only attempt in the second half.

TODAY

at Arizona State, 12:30 p.m. PST

Channel 7

Site -- Wells Fargo Arena, Tempe.

Radio -- XTRA (1150/690).

Records -- UCLA 5-15, 2-9 in Pacific 10; Arizona State 16-7, 8-4.

Update -- The Bruins have won five of six in Tempe under Lavin, losing only in 2000. In last season’s 82-79 victory, UCLA sat in a zone defense and Arizona State made only six of 27 three-point shots. The Sun Devils shot much better in a 75-64 victory over UCLA on Jan. 16 at Pauley Pavilion, making 59.6% to overcome a season-high 20 turnovers. The Bruins were held to 22 points in the first half.