NCAA Bid Goes Through Cal

UCLA, facing uncertainty in the lineup because of the injury to Dan Gadzuric and the return Saturday of JaRon Rush, can earn a heavy dose of stability for its NCAA tournament hopes tonight with a victory at California that could also help boost the Bruins into a fifth-place tie in the Pacific 10 Conference.

Gadzuric sat out the second half Saturday against Oregon State and was also sidelined for portions of practices this week after tendinitis flared in his right knee, so Coach Steve Lavin was uncertain of the starters for tonight. Gadzuric could still have his usual spot at center or the Bruins could go with Jerome Moiso there and Sean Farnham at power forward. Or, they could stay with Gadzuric and Farnham for the third consecutive contest.

The frontcourt rotation becomes an even greater issue because of the return of Rush, whose NCAA suspension was unexpectedly slashed Monday. For now, though, the Bruins cannot afford to be concerned with anything but tonight, given the implications that come with their first visit to Haas Pavilion, the renovated version of Harmon Gym.

UCLA and Cal are 6-8. USC is 7-7 and plays at No. 1 Stanford, so the expected Cardinal victory would make the Bruins and Trojans 7-8 but put UCLA in better position for an NCAA invitation because of its stronger nonconference schedule.

That the Bruins go to Palo Alto next makes a victory tonight critical. A loss to Cal means they would have to win each of the final three games to reach the 18 wins they feel will secure an NCAA bid. A win over Cal means they could lose to Stanford and still get to 18 by closing the regular season with a sweep of 1-14 Washington State and 4-11 Washington.

TONIGHT

at California, 7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Haas Pavilion, Berkeley.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Bruins 15-11, 6-8; Bears 15-11, 6-8.

* Update--Cal won by three points at Pauley Pavilion on Feb. 5, but has lost three of its last four games.