The UCLA Bruins are in search of their first win of the season as they battle the Chaminade Silverswords in the opening round of the EA Sports Maui Invitational at Lahaina Civic Center in Hawaii. This is just the second meeting between these two schools, as UCLA beat Division II Chaminade 88-63 in the opening round of the 2006 Maui Invitational.
UCLA has lost both its games so far this season, both at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles, 69-58 to the Loyola Marymount Lions and 86-66 to the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders. The Bruins have yet to outscore an opponent in any single half so far this season, but figure to have an easy time with Division II Chaminade.
The winner of Monday's contest will play the winner of the battle between the Georgetown Hoyas and Kansas Jayhawks in the tournament semifinals on Tuesday night.
Junior forward Reeves Nelson is back after his one game suspension for a poor attitude, but it is unknown whether or not he will play Monday night. "I acknowledge there are corrections that need to be made and I'm grateful to Coach Howland to have this opportunity to improve and work on being a positive for our team," Nelson said on Thursday. "I appreciate the support of my teammates and will be there for them as we move forward."
Sophomore forward David Wear, the Bruins' leading scorer with 21 total points in the opening two games, suffered a concussion in practice on Thursday, and is probable for Monday's game with Chaminade. Wear is listed as day-to-day.
Monday night's 6:30 p.m. PST contest will be televised by ESPNU, with Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas, and Bill Raftery on the broadcast. For more UCLA basketball news and analysis, be sure to read Bruins Nation.