Pac 10 Action

staples center in los angeles, home of the Pac10 basketball tourney

It’s tourney time and the Pac-10 has three games on today. Some have to win, some can lose and be safe. That is never a good way to go. Plus you would rather have an easy game the first round and not be in the middle where all the upsets are. Oh, and the Pac-10 officials are once again causing controversy. Why is that the Pac-10 has so much trouble in this area?

USC (20-10) vs ASU (19-11) at Noon PDT

The Trojans are essentially playing a home game, as the Pac-10 tourney is playing in the Staples Center in L.A. Some are saying that ASU needs this win. I think they both need it. If USC loses they need some help to make the tourney. If ASU loses, it’s over for this year. ASU Freshman James Harden says he will return next year.

UCLA (28-3) vs. California (16-14), 2:30 pm PDT

The Bruins also are playing what is essentially a home game. Granted they have to drive farther than USC. I think it’s about a 20 minute longer drive, assuming no sigalerts. Cal has to win out and take the post season tourney crown or they go home, it’s that simple. UCLA is in no matter what. Wins in the tourney affect their placement only. Cal downed Washington yesterday to advance.

Washington State (23-7) vs. Oregon (18-12) 6pm PDT

The Ducks have to win, it’s that simple. Washington State could lose and make the tourney, however that is risky. The PAC-10 is good, but not good enough to let Wazzou make the tourney and Oregon, if Wazzou loses. Worse if Stanford, USC, or UCLA lose as well, it could cut the Pac-10 teams to 5 instead of the 7 they think they can get.

Stanford (24-6) vs. Arizona (19-13), 8:30 pm PDT

Stanford is most likely in even if they lose. Arizona really needs to win or play close. A win and they most likely make it. Play close and they will be biting their nails for a week. Stanford won both meetings this year, not a good sign for Zona. Arizona defeated Oregon St yesterday.

Pac10 officials raising eyebrows, also

Tags: pac-10, ucla, usc, cal, washington, oregon, arizona state, arizona, zona, stanford