Pittsburgh ? Pittsburgh basketball coach Ben Howland met with his players Monday, but gave no indication whether he was in line to take over at UCLA.

Howland, who called UCLA his “dream job” last week, declined to speak with reporters after meeting with his team. Players also had no comment as they rushed away from the meeting looking glum-faced.

Howland met during the weekend with UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero, but did not say if he was offered the job. He is believed to be the Bruins’ top candidate.

Howland, a Southern California native, said last week that he hoped to be considered by UCLA.

“Given that my family roots are in California and my parents live there, I felt compelled to look at the potential opportunity,” Howland said. “I want to emphasize that I have a tremendous situation at the University of Pittsburgh. We are building something very special here and it would take an extraordinary set of circumstances for me to leave.”

Marc Boehm, Pitt’s interim athletic director, was unhappy upon learning Howland talked with UCLA without first speaking to him.

“Coach Howland has a contract with the University of Pittsburgh through 2009,” Boehm said. “He has consistently stated that he plans to honor that contract and we hope that will be the case.”

Howland signed a seven-year contract extension worth $5.9 million last year, but the deal contains a buyout clause. Because of performance bonus clauses, he is expected to make about $900,000 this season.

Pitt reportedly is working on another extension that would be worth even more money.

Former coach Steve Lavin made $578,000 at UCLA. To lure Howland, the Bruins would likely have to spend more than twice that.

Howland, the AP national coach of the year in 2002, has coached Pitt to consecutive Sweet 16 appearances.

¢

Spartan fans riot: Michigan State fans overturned four cars, tipped vending machines and set fires in trash bins Sunday night in East Lansing, Mich., after the Spartans lost to Texas, 85-76, in the South Regional final at San Antonio. Officers in riot gear dispersed the crowd using tear gas. Seven people were arrested.

Sunday’s disturbances caused about $40,000 in damage to university property. On Friday, 18 people were arrested after Michigan State’s victory against Maryland.

¢

Field set for Preseason NIT: Bob Knight and Texas Tech are set to return to the NIT for the 2003-04 season.

Texas Tech, Connecticut, Georgia Tech and Utah headline the group of teams selected for the preseason NIT. The Red Raiders are in this year’s NIT Final Four and play St. John’s today in New York.

Davidson, Georgia State, Hofstra, Louisiana-Lafayette, Marist, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri-Kansas City, Nevada, St. Francis, Vermont and Yale round out the field.