BRUINS GET FIRST TEST AT CENTER UCLA DOMINATES CHAMINADE, BUT KENTUCKY NEXT UP UCLA 88, CHAMINADE 63.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN Staff Writer

LAHAINA, Hawaii -- UCLA's backup point guard situation is stabilized with the emergence of Russell Westbrook, according to coach Ben Howland, so one of the Bruins' remaining mysteries is at center.

Lorenzo Mata seized control of the lead spot, despite missing a month of preseason because of knee surgery, but how he measures up to the best in the nation could decide how late in March the Bruins play.

The first indicator should come tonight, when the Bruins face Randolph Morris and Kentucky in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational.

No. 5 UCLA earned the right to face the Wildcats with a systematic, although not nearly flawless, destruction of Division II host Chaminade 88-63 Monday in the first round in front of 2,400 fans at a sold-out Lahaina Civic Center.

The Bruins (2-0) meet 20th-ranked Kentucky (3-0), and with that comes the chore of slowing down the 6-foot-11 Morris. He scored 20 points and had nine rebounds in an 87-81 defeat of DePaul earlier in day. It sets up a meeting between the two most successful programs in history. The Bruins have won 11 national titles, and Kentucky has won seven.

A win by the Bruins would send them to the title game of the prestigious Maui Invitational for the first time. They finished sixth in 1995, and third in 2001.

``Both our schools have a lot of tradition,'' UCLA guard Arron Afflalo said. ``They're two of the winningest teams in college basketball. A lot of our fans are from the Wooden era, and a lot of their fans are from throughout their history. Both schools are used to winning, so it's very important, let alone we're playing for (a berth in) the championship of the Maui classic.''

Afflalo led UCLA with 25 points in 26 minutes on 10-of-14 shooting, but he found holes in the Bruins' effort, particularly in the transition game.

``I wish I would have played a complete floor game, but our entire team, we need to play a lot better,'' Afflalo said. ``We're going to definitely have to improve (for Kentucky).''

Josh Shipp added 16 points and Darren Collison chipped in 15 points, seven assists and fivesteals. Chaminade was led by Zack Whiting's 14 points and 10 assists.

``I'm just happy we were able to get out this game without playing any of our starters over 30 minutes, because playing three days in a row is grueling,'' Howland said. ``It was good to get some of our younger guys experience. James Keefe played 12 minutes and Russell Westbrook played 15.''

But neither Keefe nor Westbrook, both freshmen, figure to play big roles today.

Under Howland, UCLA has had success double-teaming big men in the low post, with long-armed power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute often providing the double-team. So, more than his scoring, Morris' ability to quickly pass away from the double-team could be key if the Wildcats are to win.

``Morris is obviously a force,'' Howland said. ``It's going to take a team effort. Kentucky is very, very talented, very well coached. -- They have a lot of talent, a lot of size. They have great crowd support, so it's going to be like playing a road game here at a neutral site.''

Mata, who is 6-foot-8, 235pounds, is UCLA's best low-post defender, but depth is an issue at center. Sophomore Alfred Aboya will also get plenty of minutes, but foul trouble could cause the Bruins to use sophomore Ryan Wright, who remains talented but raw.

Another factor could be Mata's conditioning, and how his surgically repaired right knee will respond to playing back-to-back days. He had arthroscopic surgery in mid-October, and returned to practice just 11 days ago.

``Randolph Morris is real strong,'' said Mata, who has faced him in AAU games. ``I'm going to have my work cut out for me. It's going to be a team effort.''

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2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Chaminade's Zack Whiting, right, gets a basket under pressure from UCLA's Darren Collison on Monday.

(2) UCLA coach Ben Howland gives instructions during the firsthalf of the Bruins' game Monday against Chaminade.

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

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