Zeigler Interviews, Bruin News Updates

By Brian Dohn
L.A. Daily News

Central Michigan athletic director Dave Heeke contacted UCLA assistant coach Ernie Zeigler about the Chippewas vacant men's basketball head coaching position, and an interview is expected, sources said.

Zeigler, 40, is a Michigan native with strong ties to the area. He was born in Detroit, prepped at Detroit Cody High and played at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Mich., and Northwood University in Midland, Mich. He also recruits the state for UCLA.

Heeke also spoke with Bruins coach Ben Howland about Zeigler, who has been a member of Howland's staff for the past five seasons. The position opened when Jay Smith resigned May 11.

Zeigler had an informal interview with Pepperdine during the Final Four, but was not one of the finalists.

Farmar update: Howland said Monday point guard Jordan Farmar, who declared for the NBA draft but could pull his name out by the June18 deadline and return for his junior season, remains undecided on whether he will participate in the pre-draft camp next month in Orlando.

Farmar began his workouts for NBA teams Monday with the Clippers, and Howland said "Jordan said everything went well." Howland added Farmar finalized details to work out for the Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers. Farmar already had workouts scheduled with the Lakers and the New Jersey Nets.

Scheduling look: UCLA has a tentative agreement to play Texas A&M in the Wooden Classic at The Pond in Anaheim on Dec. 9.

It would pit the Bruins, who reached the national championship game in April, against an Aggies team that was ousted in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Texas A&M returns its top six scorers from a team that was 22-9 last season and won an NCAA Tournament game for the first time since 1980.

Also, UCLA reached an agreement to play Brigham Young at Pauley Pavilion in November. As previously reported, the Bruins will also host Michigan, UC Irvine and Long Beach State, and travel to West Virginia in non-conference matchups. They will also play three games in the Maui Invitational.

UCLA still has a few games to fill on its non-conference slate.

(reprinted with permission)

(BruinBasketballReport.com)