Bruins Don’t Play Guessing Games

In a repeat of last season, when the Bruins refused to guess where they might be sent and what seeding they might receive, the UCLA locker room was silent about seedings.

The Bruins, who were happily surprised to get a No. 2 Midwest Regional seeding last year, were determined to let the selection committee make its announcement today, and move from there.

“I don’t care what seed we get or where we go,” J.R. Henderson said. “We’ve got to play well, that’s all that matters. We’re going to play somebody tough no matter what happens.”

Said Coach Steve Lavin: “We’re not going to get caught up in that. . . . We just know we have to pack our bags because we’re going to be flying somewhere.”

Kris Johnson said he had no idea how the committee will evaluate UCLA’s strange season.

Johnson said he did understand the potential lure of matching UCLA up against Rhode Island, coached by Jim Harrick, even though that’s unlikely because both teams figure to be seeded somewhere between No. 5 and No. 8 and therefore would not be likely to meet at least until the third round.

“Stranger things have happened,” Johnson said. “We might end up with Rhode Island in the first round, you know? That’s not far-fetched.”