6 Ucla

There's a cloak-and-dagger feel to the UCLA program these days. The Bruins' practices are top secret, closed to the media for the first time in school history, and one of the favorite pastimes in Westwood is trying to guess the identity of Dave Gibson, the pseudonym used by someone whose accusatory e-mail spurred an investigation of coach Steve Lavin last spring.

Athletic director Peter Dalis received a missive last March from this unknown correspondent that listed a number of NCAA infractions purportedly committed by Lavin and threatened to send the allegations to administrators at the NCAA and the Pac-10 if Lavin wasn't fired by April 2. Dalis turned the e-mail over to the conference, which determined that there was no credible evidence to support the charges. "Believe it or not, it was a pretty quiet off-season, compared to what we're used to," says Lavin, referring to a string of controversies that have swirled around UCLA for a number of years. "A little drama doesn't shake anybody up around here. We just kept preparing and looking ahead to the season."

For the Bruins it's an enjoyable view. With four returning starters from a team that reached the Sweet 16 last season, UCLA not only appears to be the class of the Pac-10 but also has the talent and experience to make a serious run at the national championship. The Bruins will lean heavily on 6'7" junior forward Jason Kapono, who is known equally well for his headband and his marksmanship, and 6'11" senior center Dan Gadzuric, who could be one of the top big men in the country if he avoids the injuries and foolish fouls that have slowed him in the past.

Kapono and Gadzuric will be surrounded by a passel of skilled midsized players, including 6'7" forward Matt Barnes, 6'5" guard Billy Knight and a pair of highly regarded 6'7" freshman forwards, Dijon Thompson and Andre Patterson. UCLA is so loaded that Lavin persuaded senior guard Ray Young, a solid contributor, to redshirt this season. With T.J. Cummings, a 6'9" sophomore, helping Gadzuric inside, the Bruins probably won't find themselves looking up at Arizona and Stanford in the conference standings as they have for the last few years. "Instead of trying to beat the favorites, we are the favorites," says Kapono. "Now we have to prove we deserve to be looked at that way."

The only spot in the starting lineup in which Lavin won't be able to write in a familiar name is at point guard. Taking over for the departed Earl Watson, a four-year starter and UCLA's emotional leader last season, will be 6'6" freshman Cedric Bozeman, a blue-chip recruit from storied Mater Dei High in Los Angeles. When asked how he would have felt coaching a game without Watson at the point last year, Lavin replied, "I guess I would feel like Linus without a blanket."

Having so many experienced teammates around him should accelerate the learning curve for the gifted and graceful Bozeman. Once Lavin gets a good look at his team, he won't need a blanket to have a sense of security.

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