UCLA's plan isn't full of holes

Great fun, these UCLA comebacks.

A 13-point deficit against Michigan State erased in a 68-63 victory Nov. 20.

An 18-point deficit against Davidson obliterated in a 75-63 runaway Dec. 8.

Down eight to Michigan in the second half Dec. 22, nearly forgotten after a 69-54 rout.

Down seven to Oregon on Jan. 24, before rising up to win, 80-75, at Eugene.

And then, last week's double drama:

The Bruins trailed Stanford most of the game last Thursday before rallying for a 77-67 overtime victory, helped by their wits and a controversial foul on the Cardinal's Lawrence Hill that put Darren Collison at the free-throw line near the end of regulation.

After trailing California by 11 points three times in the second half Saturday, the Bruins scratched out an 81-80 victory on an arching shot by Josh Shipp that sent Pauley Pavilion into a tizzy.

Each of those games was terrific theater.

Each of those games was tough on the nerves.

"We can't let it happen again," Collison said firmly.

Those comebacks -- and others -- have given the Bruins a strong collective belief that no hole is too deep to escape.

"We always find a way to come back and win the game. We know how to win," senior center Lorenzo Mata-Real said. "We never quit when we're down."

But they've also realized it's not wise to tempt fate anymore.

An unfocused first half might not hurt them much against California in their Pacific 10 Conference tournament quarterfinal game today at Staples Center.

It's the prospect of playing three games in three days that has the Bruins (28-3, 16-2 in the Pac-10) thinking they shouldn't put themselves in position to expend more emotional and physical energy than they have to.

"We can't dig ourselves a hole, and I think this team understands that," Collison said. "I think it's going to be a different story going into the first game of the Pac-10 tournament."

A stumble today or Friday would wound their pride and might cost them the No. 1 NCAA seeding, as a quarterfinal loss to Cal did last year. It wouldn't wreck their season.

A stumble next week would be a different story.

"If we lose one game when all the madness is going on, we're out," center Kevin Love said.

"We need to get out and jump on teams early and not let that happen to us."

This comeback thing isn't new. As Coach Ben Howland said the other day, the Bruins have become good second-half performers the last few seasons.