Wednesday, February 4, 1998
Bruins catch up on hoop dreams
HOOPS: Great start in conference puts title within UCLA’s
grasp
By David Arnold
Daily Bruin Contributor
The UCLA women’s basketball team (12-6, 7-2), who began the year
dreaming of conference titles and NCAA Tournament berths, is well
on its way to reaching these lofty goals. At 7-2 in the conference,
the Bruins can boast their best Pac-10 start in the history of the
program and an undefeated record in conference road games at
5-0.
Their Pac-10 record has the Bruins tied with Arizona and Oregon,
Friday’s opponent, for second in the conference and in contention
for the crown. However, with losses at home already against
conference leader Stanford and Arizona, UCLA must beat the best of
the west on the road to end up on top.
* * *
In Kathy Olivier’s five years as head coach of the women’s team
the Bruins have yet to be asked to the Big Dance. This year,
however, may be Olivier’s best opportunity so far, as UCLA has only
lost to teams ranked in the top 10 (No. 5 North Carolina, No. 6
Stanford and No. 8 Arizona) since November.
Then there are the road sweeps of both the Oregon schools and
the Washington schools, not an easy task in any sport and deserving
of national respect.
Add that to the fact that the Bruins are tied for second in
their conference, and last year the NCAA had the top five Pac-10
teams on their dance cards, and there’s a lot to be optimistic
about.
* * *
Coming off a great year in which she racked up Pac-10 Freshman
of the Year honors, was ranked a pre-season All-American, and was
the leading scorer for the Junior National Team, sophomore Maylana
Martin is having another outstanding year.
She’s played, started and scored double digits in every game so
far this season, extending her streak of double-digit games to 28,
and 42 of her 45 collegiate games. Martin has also had six
double-double’s, and ranks in the top 10 in the Pac-10 in five
categories: second in scoring (19.5 ppg), second in rebounding
(8.1), third in free-throw percentage (.752), fifth in blocks
(.078), and ninth in field goal percentage (.500).
With point guard Erica Gomez’s return to the lineup following a
redshirted ’96-’97 season, a lot of attention early in the season
was directed away from Martin. Since then, however, Martin has been
turning heads in every game.
* * *
For the Bruins, last year’s rookies are this year’s team
leaders. This year’s sophomore class has been the difference in
rebounding UCLA from a 13-14 record last year to 12-6 with nine
remaining games to play.
The team’s eight players, using just their second year of
eligibility, include starting forwards Martin and Marie Philman,
starting point guard Gomez and starting center Janae Hubbard. In
addition, a sophomore has lead the team in scoring in every
game.
What this means for Olivier is that her already talented roster
will be around long enough and will gain enough experience to win
the big games. However, what it also means is that when these
sophomores graduate, the recruits coming after them will have to
step into the lights without much experience as starters.