Bruins’ First Trip Goes to the Big Apple

NEW YORK — UCLA’s basketball season began with tough home victories over New Mexico State and Temple, followed by a 19-point win over Delaware State at Pauley Pavilion.

Tonight, the undefeated, 16th-ranked Bruins will face their biggest challenge to date, playing 11th-ranked Memphis in the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament at Madison Square Garden.

“A number of our players haven’t been to New York before,” Coach Ben Howland said. “It’s one of the greatest places to play.”

The Bruins are expected to have point guard Jordan Farmar and center Michael Fey in uniform after both players sat out Saturday’s victory over Delaware State because of injuries suffered against Temple.

Farmar, the Pacific 10 Conference freshman of the year last season, sprained his right ankle. Fey, UCLA’s starting center a year ago, injured his left shoulder. Both players worked out with the team Tuesday.

In wins over New Mexico State and Temple, sophomore Arron Afflalo led UCLA with 41 total points.

Memphis (2-0) defeated Wisconsin Milwaukee and Alabama to advance to New York, and is led by sophomore guard Darius Washington, who averages a team-high 19.5 points.

Both teams are young. UCLA will use three freshmen and three sophomores in its rotation. The Tigers will counter with six freshmen and two sophomores.

In the first game of tonight’s doubleheader, top-ranked Duke will play Drexel. The championship and consolation games will be played Friday.

In 1992, the last time UCLA advanced to the semifinals of this tournament, the Bruins lost to Seton Hall but defeated Florida State in the consolation game.

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TONIGHT

vs. Memphis, 6 PST, ESPN2

Site -- Madison Square Garden.

Radio -- 570.

Records -- UCLA 3-0, Memphis 2-0.

Update -- The Bruins will be without sophomore Josh Shipp (hip surgery) and freshman Alfred Aboya (knee surgery).