UCLA TODAY

vs. UC Irvine, 5 p.m., FSNW2

Site -- Pauley Pavilion.

Radio -- XTRA (1150/690), KUCI (88.9 FM/1370 AM).

Records -- Anteaters 1-1, Bruins 2-0.

Update -- It looks as if UCLA fans will get their first look at freshman Lorenzo Mata. The 6-foot-8 center from South Gate High sprained his left ankle in practice Nov. 19 and sat out the Bruins’ first two games. Mata, who will back up junior Michael Fey, had a limited workout Thursday and made it through a full practice Friday, so Coach Ben Howland said Mata probably will play today. UC Irvine had a one-point lead over USC at halftime Monday, prompting Howland to praise the Anteaters as well-coached, even though they ended up losing, 90-70, to the Trojans. Coach Pat Douglass is trying to blend seven new players into the rotation and it is one of the newcomers, junior college transfer guard Aaron Fitzgerald, a 6-2 junior, who is working out the best so far. He is averaging 22 points a game. “He’s a good player,” Howland said. “He can give us trouble.” Howland expects the Anteaters, who were picked to finish seventh in the Big West, to provide UCLA’s toughest test so far this season. UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero hired Douglass as Anteater coach, choosing him over Howland.

Tickets -- (310) 825-2946.

-- Diane Pucin