UCLA BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: ABOYA MAY SIT THIS OUT.Byline: BRIAN DOHN Staff Writer SEATTLE -- UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX backup center Ryan Wright blew a defensive assignment that led to a dunk. He then failed to catch a pass under the basket, and subsequently committed a foul. It was a heckuva heck·uv·a adj. Slang Used as an intensive: You've done a heckuva good job. [Alteration of heck of a.] 42 seconds for Wright, and the only ones he played in Thursday's 53-45 win at No. 13 Washington State, but also 42 seconds more than power forward James Keefe played. Both could play key roles today when No. 2 UCLA plays Washington because Alfred Aboya, the Bruins' top backup at center and power forward, is hobbled by a sprained left knee. Aboya was injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. in the first half against Washington State, although he did finish the game. An MRI 1. (application) MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2. MRI - Measurement Requirements and Interface. was performed and Washington's team doctors examined him. Results of the tests were negative, and he could play against the Huskies, but the question is whether coach Ben Howland Ben Howland (born May 28, 1957 in Lebanon, Oregon) is an American college head coach of men's basketball. He has been the head coach of the University of California, Los Angeles since 2003, and recently signed a contract extension through 2013. wants to rest his only productive backup low-post player. "I didn't even know about it until after I got on the bus after the game," Howland said before the test results were known. "I would say right now he's doubtful for (Washington). We're going to err, just like we have with all injuries, on the side of caution." Causing more concern is Aboya's past health issues. He already had two surgeries on his left knee, and one on his right knee. Junior Lorenzo Mata and sophomore Luc Richard Mbah a Moute Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (born 9 September 1986 in Yaounde, Cameroon) is a 6' 8" Cameroonian basketball player who plays for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins in the Pacific Ten Conference of the NCAA. both will start at center and power forward, respectively, as usual, but if either gets in foul trouble, the game could change dramatically. Aboya is averaging 4.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game, and also brings energy and toughness to the court. Wright, a sophomore, is averaging 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, and Keefe is averaging one point and 1.6 rebounds per game. What's at stake: UCLA already clinched the Pacific-10 title, and it appears would have to lose in the first round of the Pac-10 tournament as well for its No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament NCAA Tournament can mean: Men's Sports
double jeopardy. . So what's at stake for the Bruins today? "Momentum," Howland said, "Playing against a really good team that's 16-2 at home, seeding for us for the NCAA Tournament, an opportunity for them to get in the NCAA Tournament." CAPTION(S): box Box: No. 2 UCLA vs. WASHINGTON - Brian Dohn |
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