Games #181-182. It’s Pac-10 fever at the Staples Center as two quarterfinals give several teams a shot to keep hope alive in an otherwise disappointing season.
3 pm. California vs. USC. Southern Cal has emerged this week as everyone’s sexy pick to win the tournament and steal an at-large bid away from a team like VCU or Colorado. Four of ESPN’s 10 experts picked the Trojans to win the whole thing, while UCLA got the second-most votes at three, and No. 1 seed Arizona only got one (nice objectivity, Miles Simon). But before USC can think about cutting down any nets, it has to get past Cal, which surprised many with its fourth place finish this year in the Pac-10. USC and Cal split their season series, and each game was decided by three points or less. The crowd will undoubtedly be partial to the Trojans’ cause, but don’t be surprised if this one goes down to the wire.
11:30 pm. Washington State vs. Washington. Nothing would make the Cougars happier than knocking off hated Washington for the third time this season, possibly kicking the Huskies off the bubble and into the NIT. This game could very well serve as a de facto play-in game for the NCAAs. It’s suspect whether the Huskies’ resume can withstand another late loss (after all, there can only be so many Villanovas in the Dance), and a loss to Wazzu would drop UW to 4-7 in its last 11 games against teams not named Seattle University. Now the Cougars probably have to win two games this weekend to stake their claim for an at-large bid, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities. At least Wazzu will have Klay Thompson and Reggie Moore back on the court, while Washington will be without Venoy Overton.