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No. 1 UCLA hosts Michigan before opening Pac-10 schedule

Dec 23, 2006 - 4:52 PM Michigan (11-1) at No. 1 UCLA (10-0) 2:00 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- After some easy December victories, UCLA can expect a stiffer challenge prior to the start of conference play.

The top-ranked Bruins attempt to remain undefeated and continue their home dominance of Michigan when the teams meet Saturday for the fifth consecutive season.

Since winning the Maui Invitational on November 22, UCLA has recorded double-digit victories in five of its last six contests against weaker opponents. The exception was a 65-62 triumph over Texas A&M on December 9.

Josh Shipp scored 18 points, Arron Afflalo added 12 and Darren Collison 11 for the Bruins, who shot 64 percent (16-of-25) from the floor in the second half of Tuesday's 75-61 victory over San Houston State.

Michigan has won all 10 home games and split its two road contests, losing at North Carolina State on November 27. The Wolverines are off to their best 12-game start since 1992-1993.

Courtney Sims scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Lester Abram added 14 points for Michigan, which won its fourth consecutive contest with last Saturday's 67-52 victory over Northern Illinois.

UCLA has won five of the last six encounters against Michigan at Pauley Pavilion and nine of 12 in the series. Afflalo scored 20 points to lead the Bruins to a 68-61 win over the Wolverines last December.