Beavers change it up

UCLA's first matchup with Oregon State in mid-January was a low-scoring affair, but packed full of drama, as UCLA needed a 5-0 spurt in the final minute to eke out the 62-57 win.

Much has changed since then. The Bruins, who were coming off a 63-52 loss to USC at the Galen Center the first time they met the Beavers, are now one of the Pac-10's hottest teams.

Oregon State is a bit different now, too, having inserted guard Ahmad Starks into the starting lineup for Calvin Haynes. Starks played just three minutes and scored zero points in the first matchup. During the past four games, though, he's averaged 25.5 minutes and more than nine points, starting the past three.

Howland does not expect a repeat of the first matchup, when the Bruins held the Beavers to just one player in double-figures, forward Roberto Nelson.

"I don't expect that will happen again (today)," Howland said. "That'd be great if it did. They're playing a little differently now."