20th Victory: Is It Magic for Bruins? : College basketball: Chancellor maintains wait-and-see posture on Harrick after UCLA has no trouble with Washington, 93-64.

The send-off Saturday night was supposed to be for senior Mitchell Butler, playing in his last game at Pauley Pavilion after four respectable seasons.

But was it for Coach Jim Harrick and the UCLA Bruins to go to the NCAA tournament as well?

Butler, a 6-foot-5 forward from Inglewood, had a season-high 18 points to go with four blocked shots, five steals and six rebounds as the Bruins overwhelmed Washington, 93-64, before 9,152 in UCLA’s regular-season home finale.

As much as the Bruins’ victory meant to Butler, it was a benchmark for Harrick and his players. Harrick got his fifth 20-victory season since coming to UCLA from Pepperdine in 1988. And the explosive performance probably assures him of leading the Bruins into his fifth consecutive NCAA tournament.

So, will the much-maligned coach return next season for the final year of his contract?

Chancellor Charles Young, speaking after the game, refused to comment on Harrick’s contract or whether he will receive an extension.

When asked why he and Athletic Director Peter Dalis have not alleviated the pressure on Harrick by publicly supporting him, Young replied: “Because we do (evaluations) regularly at the end of the season. It’s not taking long. The press is making a big deal, especially the sportscasters who seem to have nothing else to talk about when we’re on national television.”

Young, who had refused interview requests for the past month, said Harrick has done a good job at UCLA. But he is aware of the incessant criticism by basketball boosters.

“There’s been a lot of complaints (and) a lot of support,” Young said. “Sure, you’d like to have everybody happy, but you’re never going to.”

Saturday, none of the Bruin partisans were grousing as UCLA (20-9, 10-6 in Pacific 10 Conference) won by its widest margin of the season. Even the chancellor could be seen leading cheers.

Playing a fluid game, the Bruins enjoyed themselves. Butler, one of three seniors saying goodby to Pauley Pavilion, was instrumental in the onslaught.

Getting his teammates to join him in a hard-nosed defensive effort, Butler and UCLA frustrated the bedraggled Huskies (13-13, 7-10). Butler’s 360-degree dunk on a breakaway after a steal with 1:17 to play for a 91-62 lead put an exclamation point on the effort.

Not one to miss an opportunity, Butler said, “I knew what I was going to do the moment I stole the ball.”

Although UCLA led only 35-34 at halftime, it played with confidence not seen in Pauley Pavilion for some time. And with Washington’s 6-10 Rich Manning suffering from a 102-degree fever, the Huskies offered little resistance.

Washington stayed close in the first half when Harrick substituted freely. But when the Huskies took a 39-35 lead to open the second half, there was a moment of doubt.

UCLA used a 7-0 run for a 42-39 lead, but Washington closed to 42-41 on Prentis Perkins’ layup. It was the Huskies’ last hurrah.

UCLA went on a 17-0 run to take a 59-41 lead with 12:31 to play.

Then the fun began.

Butler was only happy to share his day. Shon Tarver made 11 of 18 shots and scored 27 points. Ed O’Bannon scored 22. Tyus Edney made four of five shots--including both of his three-point shots--and had 13 points and six assists.

“It all started in the second half of the Washington State game,” Butler said of the Bruins’ big comeback victory Thursday night.

“The guys just played through the fatigue and pain, and today they just busted out. We were a little more flamboyant, a little more flashy, but yet it came off simple defensive plays.”

Harrick said the defensive effort generated the lopsided victory. Richard Petruska, the Bruins’ center, echoed that sentiment, saying he had so much help in the middle that the Huskies’ front line was confounded.

UCLA Notes

UCLA was 14-3 at Pauley Pavilion. In 28 seasons, the Bruins are 406-46. . . . Coach Jim Harrick on his fifth 20-victory season: “I think that shows consistency and a solid and sound program.” . . . UCLA travels to Arizona State and Arizona next weekend with a chance to finish second in the Pac-10. UCLA, California and Arizona State are tied for second. . . . The Bruins shot 64.9% in the second half and finished at 58.7%. . . . Other seniors honored Saturday night were Richard Petruska, a starting center, and Mike Lanier, a 7-foot-7 reserve, who also got to start.