Lavin Stands by Familiar Formula

As the Bruins venture into must-win terrain, Coach Steve Lavin refuses to change his season-long refrain.

“As far as the [Pacific 10] conference race goes, I’ve never focused on it,” he said. “I never talk to the players about winning.

“If there is a sense of urgency, it is about getting stops on defense. If we do that, we have a better chance of winning games. If we win games, we have a better chance of making the conference tournament and doing something special.”

UCLA needs to gain at least a split on the trip to Oregon State and Oregon to have any chance of finishing seventh and avoiding a first-round matchup with No. 1 Arizona. Bruin players recognize that their recent improved play only really matters if it results in victories.

“These last four games in conference will determine our way into the tournament,” senior guard Ray Young said. “We have to get some wins.”

UCLA played Oregon State and Oregon tough at home, but lost both games. The Bruins held a seven-point second-half lead over the Beavers before falling, 83-79, and took the Ducks to overtime.

Lavin said his team’s plight bears little resemblance to the situation the Bruins found themselves in two years ago when they won six conference games in a row and made the NCAA tournament after starting 13-11, 4-8 in the Pac-10.

“We caught fire,” he said. “This is totally different. We’re having the worst [UCLA] season going back to George Washington or Calvin Coolidge, or whoever.”

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The key to beating Oregon State is containing forwards Brian Jackson and Philip Ricci.

Jackson, a 6-foot-9 slasher, dominated the first half against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion and finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Ricci, a 6-7 senior, took over in the second half and finished with 26 points and 14 rebounds.

“Those two dominated us,” Lavin said. “[Ricci] is a load. He’s really improved his game the last couple of years. He has a good feel for the game as well as being strong.”

“A key will be keeping [UCLA center] Ryan Hollins and the other front-line players from getting into foul trouble.”

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TONIGHT

at Oregon State, 7

Fox Sports Net 2 (9:30, delayed)

Site -- Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, Ore.

Radio -- XTRA 1150/690

Records -- UCLA 6-17, 3-11, Oregon State 12-11, 5-9.

Update -- A year ago, UCLA eliminated Oregon State from contention for the Pac-10 tournament. Tonight the Beavers can clinch a berth by beating the Bruins. Oregon State is coming off a 75-71 loss to Washington State, which had not won a conference game. UCLA senior forward Jason Kapono needs three points to reach 2,000 in his career.