Dec. 27, 2006

LOS ANGELES -

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GAMEDAY CENTRAL
DATE: Dec. 28, 2006
SITE: Pauley Pavilion (12,800)
TIP-OFF: 7:34 p.m. PST
TV: FSN Prime Ticket
TALENT: Steve Physioc (play-by-play), Marques Johnson (analyst)
RADIO: AM 570
TALENT: Chris Roberts (play-by-play), Don MacLean (color)
SIRIUS RADIO: Channel 181
WEB: www.uclaBruins.com
SERIES: UCLA leads 89-13

UCLA vs. WASHINGTON STATE
This is the 103rd meeting between UCLA and Washington State with the Bruins leading the series 89-13, including winning the last four and 25 of the last 26 games. UCLA is 49-1 against the Cougars in Los Angeles, with the only loss coming in 2004 (48-55). UCLA has won the last two games in Pauley by two points (63-61 in 2006 and 58-56 in 2005 in overtime).

NATIONAL POLLS
UCLA was preseason rated No. 5 (tied with Pittsburgh) in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 6 in the Associated Press poll, marking the second straight season that the Bruins were ranked in the preseason polls. The Bruins are currently ranked first in both the Associated Press (unanimous, all 31 first-place votes) and ESPN/USA Today (71-of-72 first-place votes) polls.

BRUINS IN PACIFIC-10 OPENERS
UCLA is 18-10 (.643) all-time in Pacific-10 Conference openers (since 1978-79). UCLA is 24-4 (.857) all-time in Pac-10 home openers. The Bruins are 3-2 against Washington State in Pac-10 openers and 2-0 against the Cougars when opening Pac-10 play with WSU at home. The last time the Bruins opened Pac-10 play with Washington State was also the last time UCLA opened up with WSU at home, which resulted in an 84-56 Bruin win on Jan. 2, 1997. UCLA head coach Ben Howland is 3-0 in home Pac-10 openers and 2-1 in Pac-10 openers.