Lavin Aiming for Pac-10 Run

UCLA had reasons for supporting the Pacific 10 Conference tournament when it was implemented before the 2001-02 season.

It would be held at Staples Center. It would be a tune-up for the NCAA tournament. It would generate revenue for the conference.

Never did the Bruins believe that only a year later the tournament would represent their last chance at redeeming a losing season. That type of motivation was reserved for the likes of Oregon State and Washington.

But after four consecutive Pac-10 losses and a 4-10 overall record, UCLA is pinning its slim hopes on improving enough to make a run in the Pac-10 tournament.

“Coaches like it because it keeps your team in a good mind-set,” Bruin Coach Steve Lavin said. “You have something to continue to work toward.”

First the Bruins must make the tournament, which takes the top eight teams. That will require a few more victories. The Bruins are seventh, one game in front of ninth-place Oregon State.

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Andre Patterson insists he is ready to play on a sprained left ankle, but Bruin trainers are more cautious, saying it will be a game-time decision. Patterson, a sophomore forward, leads UCLA with 5.3 rebounds a game and a shooting percentage of 63.9%. He injured the ankle 1:32 into the game at Stanford and did not practice Friday.

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TODAY

at No. 25 California, 1 p.m., Fox Sports Net

Site -- Haas Pavilion.

Radio -- XTRA 1150/690.

Records -- UCLA 4-10 overall, 2-4 in Pacific 10; Cal 13-2, 6-0.

Update -- The Bears have won 14 in a row at home, including a 73-68 victory Thursday over USC. UCLA has not had success at Cal recently, losing by 18 points last season and by 29 in 2001.