Locals Add to Schedule’s Toughness

When UCLA Coach Steve Lavin talks about the Bruins’ challenging nonconference schedule, he insists that he is not only concerned with national powers such as Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Purdue and DePaul.

Scoff at the locals on the schedule if you must, but Lavin is quick to note that UCLA defeated Pepperdine by two points last season on a disputed call at the buzzer. So Lavin isn’t apologizing for playing Cal State Northridge tonight, UC Santa Barbara next week or UC Irvine next month.

UCSB and UCI are experienced teams building off .500 seasons. Northridge is coming off a 20-win season.

“Some people think of them as a Division II program that just made the transition to Division I, so they might overlook them,” Lavin said. “I think they’re a team that expects to come in here and beat us.”

*

Center Dan Gadzuric sat out most of Monday’s practice because of flu but is expected to play tonight.

TONIGHT

vs. Northridge

7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Pauley Pavilion.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--UCLA 1-1, Northridge 1-0.

* Update--The 14th-ranked Bruins play their first regular-season home game against the Matadors, who won 20 games last season and are projected as Big Sky Conference champions this season. “They should be in the [NCAA] tournament this year, and they can make some noise once they get there,” Lavin said. Center Brian Heinle, projected as the Big Sky player of the year, scored 13 points Sunday as Northridge opened its season with a 90-73 victory over Howard. The Bruins are 4-0 in the series.