UCLA Deep Sixed by Cal

History offers ready reference points to gauge futility.

By the time this season is over, UCLA players will be prepared for postgraduate study in both subjects -- history and futility. Call it a double major.

An 80-69 defeat against No. 25 California on Saturday at Haas Pavilion was unremarkable in every respect except that it marked another step in the Bruin descent into horrific terrain untouched since the 1940s.

The loss was the sixth in a row, equaling UCLA’s longest streak since 1947-48.

The Bruins had losing streaks of seven and eight games earlier in that decade, and reached an all-time low by losing 14 in a row en route to a 4-20 mark in 1937-38.

That’s the worst it has been at a school that also knows the dizzying heights of 88 consecutive victories and seven consecutive NCAA championships under John Wooden in the 1960s and ‘70s.

Now the program has come full circle, resembling the Great Depression-era Bruin teams of Caddy Works.

UCLA is 4-11, 2-5 in the Pacific 10 Conference, with no end to the misery in sight.

The Bruins were ranked as high as No. 11 in preseason polls and picked to finish third in the Pac-10. But apparently the talent was wildly overestimated and the players’ confidence has long since dissipated.

UCLA trailed, 15-5, little more than five minutes into the game and never pulled closer than eight the rest of the way.

Cal, like UCLA, is racing in one direction, but the direction is up. Lost in the Bruins’ shadow for so many years -- make that decades -- the Bears (14-2, 7-0) have won eight in a row and 15 in a row at home.

Cal Coach Ben Braun and UCLA Coach Steve Lavin are in their seventh seasons. Although the Bears have not had the NCAA tournament success of the Bruins, Braun (132-72) is closing in on the career won-loss record of Lavin (139-70).

Lavin needs only one victory to ensure an average of 20 a season, but there is no certainty he’ll get it.

“They seemed out of focus,” Cal forward Amit Tamir said. “They are a team without confidence.”

The intensity the Bruins displayed in a one-point loss to Stanford on Thursday also was lacking.

UCLA did not get a rebound until 7:30 had elapsed and made only seven of 27 shots in the first half, falling behind, 40-23.

Nothing unusual there. In the last five games, UCLA, which shot 36.9%, has averaged 23 points in the first half.

Meanwhile, Cal scored with shocking ease, making nine baskets in the paint in the half and 20 in the game.

“The first half was discouraging because we didn’t play with the intensity and energy we showed against Stanford,” Lavin said. “They got too many easy shots.”

He tried to create a spark by using 12 players -- not including forward Andre Patterson, a starter who sat out because of a sprained ankle. But only for a short time in the second half did any combination mesh.

Freshman center Ryan Hollins, who had played more than four minutes only once in the last nine games, played 15 minutes in the second half.

In another measure of the sad state of the Bruins, Hollins registered four points and three rebounds and became the bright spot.

“He definitely earned an opportunity to play more,” Lavin said.

Jason Kapono scored 23 points for UCLA, including 18 in the second half, in his best performance since scoring 44 against Washington State three weeks ago. He moved to No. 4 on the school’s all-time scoring list, but afterward he seemed numb.

“Every game we get down by 18, then turn it on and start hooping,” he said. “I guess we just want to make the game more challenging and make a comeback win sweeter.”

A victory is only wishful thinking as long as the interior defense remains porous and the perimeter shooting errant.

Cal’s starting forwards and center combined to make 19 of 32 shots. Joe Shipp had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Tamir had 20 points and 10 rebounds and reserve forward Conor Famulener had 10 rebounds.

UCLA’s guards made only three of 22 shots. Senior Ray Young missed his five attempts and has made only two of his last 26. Starting point guard Ryan Walcott has not made a field goal in the last four games.

Opponents, however, are showing no mercy.

“I wish we could have beat them by 40,” Shipp said.

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Moving Up

*--* Senior forward Jason Kapono became the fourth-leading scorer in UCLA history with 23 points against California on Saturday: Player Years G Points Avg DON MacLEAN 1989-1992 127 2,608 20.5 LEW ALCINDOR 1967-1969 88 2,325 26.4 REGGIE MILLER 1984-1987 122 2,095 17.2 JASON KAPONO 2000-2003 113 1,861 16.5 TOBY BAILEY 1995-1998 129 1,846 14.3 ED O’BANNON 1992-1995 117 1,815 15.5 J.R. HENDERSON 1995-1998 127 1,801 14.2 TREVOR WILSON 1987-1990 126 1,798 14.3 TRACY MURRAY 1990-1992 98 1,792 18.3 CHARLES O’BANNON 1994-1997 124 1,784 14.4 BILL WALTON 1972-1974 87 1,767 20.3 DAVID GREENWOOD 1976-1979 118 1,721 14.6 GAIL GOODRICH 1963-1965 89 1,690 19.0 MARQUES JOHNSON 1974-1977 115 1,659 14.4 KENNY FIELDS 1981-1984 109 1,638 15.0 SHON TARVER 1991-1994 124 1,575 12.7 TYUS EDNEY 1992-1995 125 1,515 12.1 POOH RICHARDSON 1986-1989 122 1,461 12.0 EARL WATSON 1998-2001 129 1,449 11.2 SIDNEY WICKS 1969-1971 90 1,423 15.8 WALT HAZZARD 1962-1964 87 1,401 16.1 KIKI VANDEWEGHE 1977-1980 113 1,380 12.2 CURTIS ROWE 1969-1971 90 1,371 15.2

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