Collison out next two games

This is how UCLA Coach Ben Howland prefers his preseason basketball tournaments -- two games at home and none in Maui.

The second-ranked Bruins begin play tonight in the first round of the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic. Pauley Pavilion is the site of one of four tournament regionals; Maryland, Missouri and Michigan State are the other host schools.

If UCLA (1-0) beats Youngstown State (0-0) tonight and also wins Tuesday night against the winner of tonight’s Weber State-Cal State San Bernardino game, the Bruins would expect to play Maryland in Kansas City in the semifinals Nov. 19.

A year ago the Bruins earned early-season national recognition for beating Chaminade, Kentucky and Georgia Tech at the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

“Maui is nice for our fans,” Howland said. “There is great competition over there, but it’s very difficult to play three road games back-to-back-to-back. I would prefer to play any game at home. I never want to go on the road.”

Howland confirmed that junior point guard Darren Collison, who sat out practice Sunday because of a sprained left knee suffered nine days ago in an exhibition game, would not play tonight or Tuesday.

“It’s feeling better,” Howland said. “It’s a progression of things now. [Today] will be the treadmill run. Assuming that the doctor releases him, Tuesday will be lateral slides. Wednesday it will be stops and starts with transition movements on the floor. Hopefully by Thursday he’ll be able to practice.”

In the meantime sophomore Russell Westbrook will get his second start at point guard. “For him it’s just more and more experience,” said Howland.

Howland said Westbrook had too many turnovers (six) in a season-opening win over Portland State on Friday. “But he did a very good job defensively.”

When Collison is healthy, Howland said, he is excited about the defensive pressure opposing point guards will feel.

“If you really study the film,” Howland said, “people will be open a moment but with the good pressure on the ball we give you on the point, guys [inside] can recover to the open man.”

Howland also said he was not worried about the play of junior forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, who is adjusting to playing small forward after being moved from power forward.

“There are so many things that are different defensively and offensively,” Howland said. “Defensively he’s trailing and chasing guards instead of extending screens and helping out the forwards.”

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Howland said junior swingman Michael Roll is recovering well from a foot injury. “He’s feeling better,” Howland said. “I’m hoping that he’ll be back in time for the Texas game” Dec. 2.

Howland said the Bruins also hope to have forward James Keefe (shoulder surgery) back for the Idaho State game Dec. 15. . . . Marquette beat Duke to win the CBE Classic last year.

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TONIGHT

vs. Youngstown State, 8, ESPN2

Site -- Pauley Pavilion.

Radio -- 570.

Records -- UCLA 1-0, Youngstown State 0-0 (14-17 in 2006-2007).

Update -- The Penguins are 1-18 against ranked NCAA Division I teams and are playing their first game in California. Senior guard Byron Davis is the top returning scorer and assist leader for Youngstown State, which is coached by Jerry Slocum. Slocum previously coached at Gannon University in Erie, Pa., when UCLA’s Ben Howland was at Pittsburgh. The Bruins are hoping Mbah a Moute, who had only one basket and one rebound in Friday’s opening win over Portland State, can find his comfort zone at the small forward spot. UCLA’s game will be preceded by Cal State San Bernardino vs. Weber State, which begins at 5:15 p.m.

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diane.pucin@latimes.com