UCLA BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: STANFORD LOSS REMAINS FRESH.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN

Staff Writer

Ben Howland lost 37 games in his four seasons as UCLA's coach, but none had the tenor of the debacle at Stanford a month ago.

The Bruins led by 17 points late in the first half and were looking to tack on a few free throws when they imploded, as Stanford scored 50 second-half points in the win.

When asked Friday if the loss was more difficult than most others, Howland simply chuckled and said, "Yup. Yes."

The fourth-ranked Bruins are hoping to avenge it today when Stanford visits Pauley Pavilion, and for added incentive, a win would give UCLA at least a share of the Pacific 10 crown.

"I can't wait to play them," UCLA junior guard Arron Afflalo said. "A team scoring 50 points on us in a half, we weren't playing any defense. It started right at the end of the half. We had built up a lead and became complacent a little bit.

"A 17-point lead on your opponents home floor, those are the times you have to clamp down, mature a little bit and really understand, 'this is the time to lay the hammer down."'

As if it happened yesterday, Howland recites what went wrong during the 75-68 loss on Jan. 28 at Stanford: James Keefe missed the front end of a one-and-one, point guard Darren Collison shot too quickly coming out of a timeout and Stanford hit a 3-pointer at the end of the first half.

"Stanford played very well in the second half," Howland said. "You have to give them credit. (Lawrence) Hill and (Anthony) Goods played really well. The Lopez kids (Brook and Robin) were very effective. They did a good job and we didn't keep our composure very well in that game."

Today, the Cardinal will be without Goods, its second-leading scorer. The guard averaging 13 points per game will miss his fourth straight game with an ankle injury.

Title watch: If the Bruins win, it would clinch at least a tie for the Pac-10 title, and put UCLA in prime position to secure the top seed in the Pac-10 tourney.

Two scenarios could play out for UCLA to clinch the top seed and play the winner of the No. 8 vs. No. 9 play-in game (at this point, California vs. Oregon State) in the tourney's first round.

First, UCLA beats Stanford and Washington loses at Oregon. Second, UCLA defeats Stanford and Washington State loses at Oregon State. (The Bruins clinch the title outright in this scenario).

"We want to win it outright," Howland said.

The Pac 10's top seed plays at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, at Staples Center. If victorious, it doesn't have to play the next day until 6:20 p.m. in the semifinals.

Comfort at home: When Jordan Farmar left for the NBA, Darren Collison became UCLA's point guard a year before projected.

While many of his teammates played summer pickup games on campus and built cohesiveness, he remained at his Rancho Cucamonga home during the first quarter of UCLA's summer session. He took a summer class at nearby Chaffey College.

"There were a lot of people concerned," Collison said. "(Former teammate) Ryan Hollins called me, and a couple other people called and were worried why I wasn't up (at UCLA).

"That's how I work. I need my own time, my own space. But I'm getting my work in, believe me."

Howland said the preference is to have the players remain on campus.

"We wanted him to be here, but he's a home-body," Howland said. "He wants to be at home, and I can't tell you how nice their house is. It's like a castle. ... But there wasn't any concern."

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No. 4 UCLA vs. STANFORD

-- Brian Dohn