Men’s basketball schedule
announced
The 2003-04 UCLA men’s basketball schedule was released Wednesday, and it will feature nine NCAA Tournament teams from 2002-03 and two NIT teams.
The regular season kicks off with Vermont on Nov. 29 at Pauley Pavilion. The Catamounts won the America East Conference in 2002-2003 and went to the NCAA Tournament.
Before the game against Vermont, the Bruins will play two exhibition games, the first being a Nov. 12 rematch against the EA Sports All-Stars, who beat UCLA last year.
Key non-conference games include a Dec. 6 game against Kentucky at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, host of the Wooden Classic, and a Dec. 20 game hosting Michigan State.
“This is one of the toughest schedules in America,” UCLA coach Ben Howland said.
“We are going to be put to the test right at the start of the year and the overall competitiveness of our schedule, both non-conference and conference will continue throughout the season.”
Hollins finalist for USA Junior National
Team
UCLA’s Ryan Hollins is one of 15 players who hope to make the USA Basketball Men’s Junior World Championship Team.
The USA Junior Team will compete in the 2003 FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Men’s Junior World Championship in Thessaloniki, Greece, from July 10 to 20.
Hollins, along with the other finalists, is currently in a training camp in Dallas, Texas, through July 6.
The 12-man roster will be finalized by then.
The 15-man team is currently playing in the Global Games, which last until July 5.
Each member of the team is on a Division I college team, but this year’s team lacks a marquee name like last year’s team had.
“There may not be a ‘big name star’ like we had last year with Carmelo Anthony, but what we have is a team that is really going to play hard,” USA junior and Oregon head coach Ernie Kent said.
“Play hard and focus together.”
Anthony was drafted third by Denver in Thursday’s NBA Draft.
Ware on Jim Thorpe Award ‘Watch
List’
UCLA junior Matt Ware was put on the Thorpe Association’s pre-season “Watch List” for the 2003 Jim Thorpe Award.
The Thorpe Award is given annually to the nation’s best collegiate defensive back.
Track and Field announces NLI signings
Both the UCLA men’s and women’s track and field teams had National Letter of Intent signees to announce on Tuesday.
Men’s head coach Art Venegas announced that Micky Corbin, Gregory Garza, Brandon Johnson and Philip Nossmy had signed with UCLA.
Women’s head coach Jeanette Bolden announced that Alison Costello, Dianna Gooden, Georgea Richards, Danielle Smith and Renee Williams had signed with the Bruins.
Compiled by Gilbert Quiñonez, Bruin Sports Senior Staff.