Fey May Need Patience

It won’t 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 don’t 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 (he’s from nearby Olympia), probably will be on the bench more than he’s on the court.

“We’re going to give Mike ample opportunity,” UCLA Coach Ben Howland said, “but this is a perimeter-oriented team. Like Washington State.”

Fey, UCLA’s third-leading rebounder and fourth-leading scorer, played only four minutes -- all of them in the first half -- of the Bruins’ 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.

“It felt good,” 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: “Don’t dribble the ball when you get it in the post.” Hollins was called for a traveling turnover late in regulation play Thursday. While a replay seemed to show Hollins didn’t take an extra step, Howland didn’t care. “He just looks awkward,” 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) didn’t 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.