Lavin Has Some Real Big Plans for Small Lineup

Coach Steve Lavin, after using the same starters the first two games, is considering a change today against Maryland in the Puerto Rico Shootout, partly to match up with the Terrapins’ quickness and partly because the small lineup played well Thursday against San Francisco.

Either Rico Hines or Brandon Loyd could become starters in the semifinal of the eight-team tournament in place of Matt Barnes in the backcourt, with the versatile Barnes getting more minutes at forward. Or both could become starters--the availability of point guard Earl Watson for today is uncertain because he needed stitches on his right (shooting) elbow to close a cut suffered during Thursday’s game.

Hines and Loyd were sparks in the 69-62 victory, with Hines coming off the bench to play 20 of his career-high 33 minutes in the second half as the Bruins went small. The switch also meant that starting power forward Jerome Moiso played only four minutes after intermission and 16 in all, and never at the same time center Dan Gadzuric was on the court.

TONIGHT vs. Maryland

Puerto Rico Shootout

10:30 a.m. PST

* Site--Eugene Guerra Sports Complex, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

* TV--ESPN2.

* Radio--AM 1150.

* Records--UCLA 2-0, Maryland 5-0

* Update--The Bruins are 2-0 for the first time since 1994-95.