LOS ANGELES — UCLA filed a formal appeal with the NCAA on Wednesday regarding freshman Shabazz Muhammad being ruled ineligible to play basketball for violating amateurism rules.

Coach Ben Howland said the case is expected to be heard by an NCAA appeals committee on Friday and the school hopes to have a resolution shortly thereafter.

"I'm optimistic and hopeful that everything will work out," he said. "Hopeful is a big part of it too."

If the committee rules in UCLA's favor, Muhammad would likely become eligible immediately. But if the committee rules that a violation occurred, the appeal would be denied and Muhammad would have to go through the reinstatement process to regain his eligibility.

The NCAA announced last Friday, less than two hours before the Bruins' season opener, that Muhammad was ineligible to play, leaving them without their touted recruit to start the season.

The NCAA found that Muhammad accepted travel and lodging during three unofficial visits to Duke and North Carolina.

The Los Angeles Times reported a conversation overheard on an Aug. 7 flight from Chicago to Memphis, Tenn., is the basis for UCLA's appeal. The conversation came to light in an email from an attorney who said she was seated behind a man who was speaking loudly about the work of his girlfriend, an "attorney with the NCAA." The man made it clear the NCAA would find Muhammad ineligible and not allow him to play this season.

Top 10 men

At No. 10 Florida 74,

No. 22 Wisconsin 56

Erik Murphy tied a career high with 24 points as the short-handed Gators (2-0) enjoyed a double-digit lead most of the night. He also had seven rebounds. Sam Dekker and Jared Berggren had 11 points apiece for Wisconsin (1-1).

Pac-12 women

UCLA 86,

at No. 11 Oklahoma 80

Thea Lemberger scored 18 points, shooting 7 of 12 from the field, to lead UCLA's upset of Oklahoma. Alyssia Brewer scored 15 points and snagged 16 rebounds for the Bruins (2-0). Markel Walker added 16 points and Jasmine Dixon had 11.

Aaryn Ellenberg led the Sooners (1-1) with 24 points, including 7 of 9 from three-point range.

Notes

• Devin Davis, a 6-foot-6 forward, was one of five players expected to sign with top-ranked Indiana on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. The class has been rated in the top five nationally.

• Conner Frankamp, a 6-foot guard from Wichita who averaged 32.3 points last season, became the first player to sign with Kansas for next season.