Mixed-up lineup relies on all players

Wednesday, February 17, 1999

Mixed-up lineup relies on all players

M.HOOPS: Farnham, Loyd set to start against USC, avenge Bay Area
losses

By AJ Cadman

Daily Bruin Staff

Question: How many UCLA men’s basketball players does it take to
get to the NCAA Tournament?

All 14, according to Bruin head coach Steve Lavin. He is still
feeling the after effects of a Bay Area sweep that marked the first
two-game conference losing streak of his career.

Affirming his belief that the UCLA starting lineup is not a
given but earned, Lavin has decided to mix up the starting lineup
for the 18th time in 25 games tonight, against crosstown rival
Southern California in Pauley Pavilion.

"The big advantage (in changing the lineup) is that we have the
youngest team in the history of our storied program and the second
youngest in the country," said UCLA head coach Steve Lavin. "We are
preparing for the long haul."

The backcourt will remain the constant for UCLA, as sophomores
Baron Davis and Earl Watson lead the troops into battle against the
Trojans.

Davis’ play this past weekend was one of only two bright spots
for the Bruins. He scored 24 and 27 points (a career high)
respectively against Stanford and California, and looked invincible
with his dribble penetration and clutch perimeter shooting.

"Baron, over the last month, has played the best basketball of
his career and the best basketball of his life," said Lavin of the
point guard. "I’d say he’s playing as well as any guard in the
country the last three or four weeks."

In the frontcourt, freshman JaRon Rush will start against
Southern Cal after putting in two solid all-around performances in
Northern California. His shooting has shown improvement after a
dismal start, but his trademark for the weekend, as it has been all
year, has been his tenacious work on the glass. He was especially
impressive against the trees of Stanford’s frontline.

But, Lavin’s bartending of the UCLA lineup places another
cocktail on the Pauley Pavilion counter. Following the
disappointing loss against the Golden Bears at the New Arena in
Oakland, Lavin announced the newest look for the Bruins.

Upperclassmen Brandon Loyd and walk-on Sean Farnham will get the
nod tonight when the opening tip drops. Loyd played well in his
minutes on the floor against Cal, hitting two three-pointers, one
of which temporarily silenced the largest crowd ever to watch a
Pac-10 basketball contest. Walk-on Todd Ramasar will be the first
substitute off the bench.

"They are very capable basketball players with great attitudes,"
said Lavin. "They appreciate the opportunity to be a part of a
major college program and play hard."

Southern Cal enters the 207th meeting between these two schools
fresh off claiming a huge upset at Maples Pavilion against
Stanford.

The Trojans led most of the game, but could not hold on in
regulation. Freshman point guard Brandon Granville scored 21 points
to go along with seven assists to lead the USC charge. Sophomore
center Brian Scalabrine hit a clutch, the three-pointer in
overtime, to seal the victory for the Trojans as he finished with
22 points on eight of 13 shooting.

"We finally beat someone who is up in the (national) rankings,"
said Trojan guard Elias Ayuso after the win over Stanford. "It
shows how good we are."

The Bruins have notched wins the last nine meetings against
Southern Cal. The last victory came at the Sports Arena on Jan. 20,
98-80.

But, USC is looking to garner respect for a program seeking a
bid to the post-season NIT (National Invitational Tournament). They
would also love to spoil UCLA’s hopes of a high seeding in the NCAA
post-season tournament.

The Bruins’ 8-5 record in conference play all but eliminates
them from a conference title with Stanford, Arizona and Washington
ahead of them in the standings after this weekend’s Bay Area
blitzkrieg.

Next on tap for the Bruins after Southern Cal is their
non-conference showdown with No. 19 Syracuse on Sunday afternoon.
Then, there are rematches with the Washington schools at home and
the two Arizonas on the road.

Each game is crucial to the Bruins’ season. Their first
obstacle: tonight against crosstown rival Southern California. And
to Lavin and Co., it will take every bit of manpower to stake a
claim in St. Petersburg for the Final Four in March.

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