For Missouri, the unknown of UCLA easier than the known of Oklahoma.

Byline: Mike Dearmond

COLUMBIA, Mo. _ If Missouri beats UCLA on Thursday night in their late-night Sweet 16 matchup in the NCAA West Regional, the Tigers' reward could be an Elite Eight game with Big 12 mate Oklahoma. The Sooners play Arizona in the early West game on Thursday in San Jose, Calif.

On the one hand, preparation for UCLA means everything. On the other, preparation for Oklahoma might mean next to nothing.

"I think it's easier to play somebody outside of your conference," Missouri senior guard Clarence Gilbert said Monday, as Missouri began full-bore preparations for UCLA. "Playing a team inside your conference, it's tough. They know you, and you know them. You know what each other is going to do.

"Now, going against UCLA, we have to watch old films. But so do they. We really don't know each other that well."

That, Missouri coach Quin Snyder said, injects a bit of the unknown into the game with the Bruins. But, he said, it also might be more easily overcome than discovering that nugget that makes the difference against a league opponent, especially a league opponent like Oklahoma, which has beaten Missouri eight times in a row.

UCLA and Missouri haven't met since the 1995 NCAA Tournament, when Tyus Edney's mad dash to the basket broke Missouri's heart.