A loud shriek echoes around the Collins Courts of the John
Wooden Center every intramural basketball season. The noise
resembles that of a cat, if it had its tail stepped on ““
repeatedly.

It seems like just a bad dream, but the Bruins woke up to
reality Saturday when the 2002-03 season ended. At the hands of
Oregon, UCLA lost in stunning fashion, 75-74 in the second round of
the Pac-10 tournament.

Baron Davis and Jerome Moiso stepped on the court at Staples
Center for the New Orleans Hornets Monday night for a game against
the Clippers. Back home in Los Angeles, the two former Bruins were
reminded how lackadaisical UCLA has become since they left.

Ray Young is usually one of the first Bruins at practice and he
is nearly always one of the last to leave.
But despite his hard work, the fifth-year senior has failed to
live up to his potential during his career at UCLA ““ until a
week ago.

UCLA students may have more reason to cheer this offseason,
following one of the worst basketball seasons in school
history.
The UCLA Athletic Department is considering selling more
arena-level tickets to the student fan base for next season.

UCLA and No. 21 Stanford turned Pauley Pavilion into a shooting
gallery on Saturday ““ but the better defense won the game,
and the Cardinal came out victorious, 93-84.

For five years, the UCLA career of senior guard Ray Young has
been nothing but a bumpy roller coaster ride.
Last season he redshirted in an attempt to rebuild lost
confidence.

After weeks of inconsistent play, Cedric Bozeman finally
silenced his critics ““ for now.
The former McDonald’s All-American has been inconsistent
in his two years as a Bruin, but two clutch game-winning free
throws against Georgetown could mark the turning point in his
career.

Mired in a nine-game losing streak, the UCLA men’s
basketball team just hasn’t been able to solve its
opponents’ big men.
In the season opener, the University of San Diego’s Jason
Keep (6-foot-10, 290) scored 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as
UCLA lost 86-81 in overtime.

In one of the most impressive performances by the UCLA
basketball team this season, an opposing player still showed them
up. Oregon forward Luke Jackson came off the bench to lead his team
to a 96-91 overtime victory, and he was not even supposed to
play.