Beavs look for streak-busting win at UCLA

THE BEAVS HAVE lost nine straight against UCLA on the hardcourt and have come up short at Pauley all but once since 1987-88. But there has arguably never been a better opportunity for OSU to pull the upset at UCLA as there is tonight -- the Bruins enter with an identical 12-14 mark to the Beavers and they're but one-game ahead of OSU in the Pac-10 standings.

Plus, UCLA F Reeves Nelson will not play after having a partial retinal tear repaired. Reeves hammered the Beavs for 14 points and 12 rebounds in the first meeting, a 62-52 UCLA win in Corvallis on Jan. 30.

Oregon State leads the Pac-10 in steals per game (8.1) and three-point percentage defense (29.9), Oregon State also ranks third in scoring defense (61.1) and field goal percentage defense (42.5).

UCLA is averaging 66.9 points per game. The Bruins are currently hitting 47.0 percent from the field.

Something, as they say, has to give.

BASED ON THE previous meeting, and other season stats, it would appear Oregon State's best opportunity to capture a W might be found inside when OSU is on offense.

UCLA opponents are hitting 44.8 percent of their shots from the field and 37.3 percent from beyond the three-point line. OSU is shooting 30.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 43 percent overall.

Oregon State couldn't solve the Bruins' zone the first time around and outside shot after outside shot went begging. At the same time, OSU doesn't want to go away from their hottest hand right now, Calvin Haynes.

Haynes has averaged 17.0 points over his last eight games. He's averaging 15.1 points per game in Pac-10 play this season.

The game is being nationally televised by FSN. Tip-off is at 8 p.m.