Briefs

Men’s basketball schedule
announced

The 2003-04 UCLA men’s basketball schedule was released
Wednesday, and it will feature nine NCAA Tournament teams from
2002-03 and two NIT teams.

The regular season kicks off with Vermont on Nov. 29 at Pauley
Pavilion. The Catamounts won the America East Conference in
2002-2003 and went to the NCAA Tournament.

Before the game against Vermont, the Bruins will play two
exhibition games, the first being a Nov. 12 rematch against the EA
Sports All-Stars, who beat UCLA last year.

Key non-conference games include a Dec. 6 game against Kentucky
at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, host of the Wooden Classic, and a
Dec. 20 game hosting Michigan State.

“This is one of the toughest schedules in America,”
UCLA coach Ben Howland said.

“We are going to be put to the test right at the start of
the year and the overall competitiveness of our schedule, both
non-conference and conference will continue throughout the
season.”

Hollins finalist for USA Junior National
Team

UCLA’s Ryan Hollins is one of 15 players who hope to make
the USA Basketball Men’s Junior World Championship Team.

The USA Junior Team will compete in the 2003 FIBA (International
Basketball Federation) Men’s Junior World Championship in
Thessaloniki, Greece, from July 10 to 20.

Hollins, along with the other finalists, is currently in a
training camp in Dallas, Texas, through July 6.

The 12-man roster will be finalized by then.

The 15-man team is currently playing in the Global Games, which
last until July 5.

Each member of the team is on a Division I college team, but
this year’s team lacks a marquee name like last year’s
team had.

“There may not be a “˜big name star’ like we
had last year with Carmelo Anthony, but what we have is a team that
is really going to play hard,” USA junior and Oregon head
coach Ernie Kent said.

“Play hard and focus together.”

Anthony was drafted third by Denver in Thursday’s NBA
Draft.

Ware on Jim Thorpe Award “˜Watch
List’

UCLA junior Matt Ware was put on the Thorpe Association’s
pre-season “Watch List” for the 2003 Jim Thorpe
Award.

The Thorpe Award is given annually to the nation’s best
collegiate defensive back.

Track and Field announces NLI signings

Both the UCLA men’s and women’s track and field
teams had National Letter of Intent signees to announce on
Tuesday.

Men’s head coach Art Venegas announced that Micky Corbin,
Gregory Garza, Brandon Johnson and Philip Nossmy had signed with
UCLA.

Women’s head coach Jeanette Bolden announced that Alison
Costello, Dianna Gooden, Georgea Richards, Danielle Smith and Renee
Williams had signed with the Bruins.

Compiled by Gilbert Quiñonez, Bruin Sports Senior
Staff.</>