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Veteran Cardinal Meet Youthful Bruins
Men's basketball squad set for Pac-10 showdown with No. 10 UCLA.
January 15, 1999
(AP)- Experience and savvy face youth and exuberance when Pac-10 foes Stanford andUCLA meet Saturday.
The Cardinal travel to Pauley Pavilion to face the Bruins in a keyconference matchup of top 10 teams.
The Bruins (12-3, 4-1), with just one senior and one junior, have won 10 oftheir last 11 games. On Thursday, No. 10 UCLA used strong defense to force 21turnovers in handing California a 72-61 defeat. UCLA's Earl Watson, with 17points, held California leading scorer Geno Carlisle scoreless in the firsthalf.
"Our guys had their best defensive effort," coach Steve Lavin said. "Witha young team, things like that are kind of milestones."
Guard Baron Davis also had a solid game, leading the way with 19 points.Since Davis' return from a knee ligament injury, the Bruins are 10-1.
The No. 4 Cardinal (14-2, 4-0) come in riding a 10-game winning streak afterdowning Southern California 72-55 on Thursday.
Stanford, with a combined total of nine seniors and juniors on the roster,also used strong defense in limiting the Trojans to 29.6 percent shooting. TheCardinal got a game-high 17 points and 10 rebounds from Michael Madsen, who hadUCLA on his mind immediately following the victory.
"UCLA probably has the best young players in the Pac-10. They're verydangerous," Madsen said. "We're extremely wary of their front line, we'reconcerned about the matchups."
However, coach Mike Montgomery thinks the Cardinal experience could givethem the edge they need.
"They're certainly very, very talented and certainly have guys thateverybody knows about, that can make plays and jump and run and shoot," saidMontgomery of the Bruins. "So, if there is an advantage, I hope that's what itis. I hope we're able to take advantage of it."
Last season, Stanford swept the series against UCLA.