Fey May Need Patience
It wonât be a game for slow-footed runners or tentative shooters.
When UCLA faces No. 13-ranked Washington today, the ball will move up and down the court in a hurry, and Ryan Hollins will get another chance to play substantial minutes.
Because the Huskies donât have a big, lumbering center, Bruin junior Michael Fey, 7 feet tall and eager to make a good impression in front of friends and family (heâs from nearby Olympia), probably will be on the bench more than heâs on the court.
âWeâre going to give Mike ample opportunity,â UCLA Coach Ben Howland said, âbut this is a perimeter-oriented team. Like Washington State.â
Fey, UCLAâs third-leading rebounder and fourth-leading scorer, played only four minutes -- all of them in the first half -- of the Bruinsâ 58-56 overtime victory over Washington State on Thursday night. It was Hollins -- also 7 feet tall but thinner and more mobile than Fey -- who played a significant role in the UCLA victory.
âIt felt good,â said Hollins, who had eight points and eight rebounds in 36 minutes, his longest stint of the season.
Howland did have one suggestion for Hollins: âDonât dribble the ball when you get it in the post.â Hollins was called for a traveling turnover late in regulation play Thursday. While a replay seemed to show Hollins didnât take an extra step, Howland didnât care. âHe just looks awkward,â Howland said.
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Howland said his main concern about playing step for step with Washington is fatigue. While the Huskies have five players averaging in double figures in scoring and nine players getting significant minutes, the Bruins had three players -- Dijon Thompson, Josh Shipp and Hollins -- who played all 25 minutes of the second half and overtime Thursday, and freshman guards Jordan Farmar (22 minutes) and Arron Afflalo (24) didnât get much rest either.
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TODAY
at No. 13 Washington, 2 p.m.
FSN West
Site -- Bank of America Arena, Seattle.
Radio -- XTRA (570).
Records -- Huskies 18-3 overall, 8-2 in Pacific 10 Conference; Bruins 12-6, 6-4.
Update -- Although Washington is tied for the conference lead, ranked 13th in the country and is off to its best start in 29 seasons, UCLA has reason for optimism. The Bruins are the last team to beat the Huskies at home. Since UCLA prevailed here on Jan. 10, 2004 -- 86-84 in overtime -- Washington has won 19 consecutive home games. UCLA also won at Pauley Pavilion last month. The Bruins were down by 21 points in the first half before rallying for 95-86 victory.
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