Shipp, Aboya Take First Steps at Practice

The Great Danes of the University at Albany have slipped into town for their first meeting with the Bruins tonight at Pauley Pavilion, but few around Westwood appear to have noticed.

Seems nearly everybody’s attention is focused on some big football game on Saturday.

If the Albany players want to know just how big UCLA vs. USC is, they need go no further than their own athletic director, Lee McElroy, to fill them in. McElroy, in his sixth season running the Albany program, was a two-year starter at linebacker for the Bruins. McElroy played for UCLA from 1967 to 1969.

Albany has lost three straight after winning its opener, the most recent defeat to San Diego State, 80-53.

But while others may be distracted this week, UCLA Coach Ben Howland is determined to keep his players’ focus sharp for tonight’s game and a Sunday afternoon meeting with Coppin State.

The key to the Bruins’ fortunes this season might be better gauged this week by the progress being made in their practices rather than in their games. Two projected starters, 6-foot-5, 207-pound sophomore forward Josh Shipp and 6-8, 233-pound freshman forward Alfred Aboya, are taking their first tentative basketball steps this season. Both are taking part in the first stage of practice, but neither has remained on the court when their teammates reach full speed.

Aboya, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in July and his left knee in October, was penciled in to return to full practice this week and may yet do so.

Howland is hoping Shipp, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right hip in September, will be ready to play in a game by the start of Pacific 10 Conference play at the end of next month.

Both players will be needed if the Bruin frontcourt is to rise to the level of their backcourt.

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TONIGHT

vs. Albany, 7:30, FSNW2

Site -- Pauley Pavilion.

Radio -- 690.

Records -- UCLA 4-1, Albany 1-3.

Update -- UCLA guard Jordan Farmar (right ankle sprain) and center Michael Fey (left shoulder sprain) will play, but neither is fully recovered from injuries suffered nearly two weeks ago against Temple. The Great Danes are led offensively by junior guard Jamar Wilson (17.5 points per game) and sophomore forward Bret Wilson (12.8).

Tickets -- (310) 825-2946.