Lavin Holding McCoy in Reserve

Even though Stanford’s giant lineup will surely require UCLA to use Jelani McCoy’s size and athleticism, the Bruins’ current starting five is playing too well to make any changes, Coach Steve Lavin repeated Friday.

If things start out poorly today against the Cardinal, Lavin said, he can always get McCoy, who was suspended for the first nine games and has come off the bench for the next six, into the game quickly.

“We’re going to take it one game at a time, look at how this team develops and how Jelani develops,” Lavin said. “When you win 13 out of 14 games as a coach, you’re not in a hurry to change what’s going on.

“Plus, we’ve been getting out to good leads . . . you know, 8-0 [Thursday] night [against California], 23-3 against Oregon. So, these five [Toby Bailey, Kris Johnson, J.R. Henderson, Baron Davis and Earl Watson] seem to have a nice chemistry.”

McCoy, expected to return to the starting lineup last week, took only one shot in 24 minutes against Cal, scoring one point, but was active on defense.

TONIGHT

at Stanford

* 1 p.m * Channel 2

Site--Maples Pavilion.

Radio--AM 1150.

Records--No. 8 Bruins 13-2, 4-1; No. 7 Cardinal 15-0, 4-0.

Update--Despite the bad memories of last year’s 48-point defeat at Stanford, UCLA is in a semi-no-lose situation, which is the way Lavin wants it. The Bruins already have guaranteed a split on this trip by defeating California on Thursday. Even a tight game against the Cardinal would be icing for UCLA. Now, Stanford needs a victory if it wants to maintain home-court dominance (the Cardinal has won its last 19 home games) and a good shot at the Pacific 10 Conference title. After today, the Bruins won’t play another road game until February.