UCLA Scouting Report

About UCLA: The Bruins have won five of their last six, but the defeat came by 17 points in their most recent game, the regular-season finale at Arizona. On the other hand, two of those five victories were impressive showings against teams that made the tournament, by 24 points over Syracuse and 17 over Washington. Baron Davis finished second in the Pacific 10 Conference in assists (5.2) and steals (2.54) and seventh in scoring (15.9). Steve Lavin is 5-2 in his first two trips to the tournament as coach.

* About Detroit Mercy: The Midwestern Collegiate Conference champions have gone from missing the tournament 19 years in a row to making it the last two. In 1998, as the No. 10 team in the Midwest, the Titans beat No. 7 St. John’s in the opening round before losing to Purdue. Four key players from that team--all starters now--are back. Coach Perry Watson is 112-63 in his six seasons and 49-11 the last two.

* Keys to the game: UCLA needs two things: a (fairly) sound Davis and consistent execution of a halfcourt offense, both of which are uncertainties and could deteriorate as the game progresses. Without playing a slow-down game to control the tempo, Detroit was second in the nation in scoring defense and third in shooting defense because it has the speed to deny easy transition baskets and an aggressive style that forces opponents to be patient.

UCLA (22-8) vs. Detroit Mercy (24-5)

at Indianapolis, 7:10 p.m. approximately

Channel 2

UCLA

Starting Lineups

Forward: 4 JaRon Rush 6-6, 210

Guard: 21 Ryan Balley 6-1, 210

Center: 0 Jerome Moiso 6-10 1/2, 230

Guard: 25 Earl Watson, 6-0, 185

Guard: 5 Baron Davis, 6-2 1/2, 210

Detroit Mercy

Starting Lineups

Forward: 34 Bacari Alexander, 6-5, 235

Forward / Guard: 5 Desmond Ferguson, 6-7, 205

Center: 45 Walter Craft, 6-11, 265

Guard: 3 Rashad Phillips, 5-10, 160

Guard: 32 Jermaine Jackson, 6-5, 200