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Arizona State at No. 14 Arizona
Today
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No. 20 USC at No. 10 Stanford
Tomorrow
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No. 8 Florida at No. 5 Alabama
Saturday
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UCLA at No. 10 Stanford
Saturday
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No. 20 USC at Cal
Saturday
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Justin St.Germain
Sports Editor
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Fresh off an upset of UCLA in Pauley, ASU's being heralded as a dangerous team. But there's a difference between being dangerous and being good - just ask Portland State and Washington, both of whom beat ASU by 10-plus this season. Any team that lives and dies by Chad Prewitt can't be that dangerous. Arizona will cruise in an ugly game.
Arizona State 78, Arizona 87
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This is the game of the week, between two teams tied atop the Pac-10 standings playing in one of the loudest arenas in college basketball. As long as the Trojans aren't all worn out after their strenuous Valentine's Day weekend, they should be able to handle the pressure and contain a late Stanford spurt to win.
USC 76, Stanford 75
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The bad news is, it's SEC basketball. The good news is, Alabama's Coleman Coliseum only holds 15,316 rednecks, so there'll be less mullets and camouflage clothing than in the football version of this matchup. Did I mention neither of these teams has beaten a Pac-10 team this year?
Florida 82, Alabama 85
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The Bruins might have just helped knock Arizona out of first, but they're going to be UA's best friend for the rest of the Pac-10 season. Currently sixth in the Pac, the time is ripe for UCLA to mount its annual "save Steve Lavin's job" late-season win streak. With Stanford and Oregon remaining on their schedule, the Bruins will wreak havoc in the standings.
UCLA 90, Stanford 86
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Cal was the talk of the Pac-10 and looked like a favorite for the regular-season title until they lost to Washington by 15 last week. Things won't get any easier for the Bears when USC and David Bluthenthal come to town. Bluthenthal had 21 and 31 in his last two games, so that means he should put up 41 against UCLA and then 51 on Cal.
USC 79, Cal 78
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Brian Penso
Staff Writer
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The game is already over. The Wildcats have lost two tough games in a row, and they were embarrassed by ASU in their first meeting. Look for the dependable tandem of Walton and Gardner to combine for at least 40 points to lead the Wildcats to a 20-point victory.
Arizona State 69, Arizona 89
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This game is going to be decided on the perimeter. Stanford's Casey Jacobsen will get his points, but will USC be able to match his 3-point shooting? Expect Stanford to dominate the perimeter and Sam Clancy won't be able to carry the Trojans in this one.
USC 67, Stanford 79
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Wow! What a football game this would be, but this game may be just as exciting as a classic Gator-Tide football affair. The winner of this game keeps their chances of gaining a top seed in the NCAA Tournament alive. Look for the team that has the ball last to prevail in this one.
Florida 60, Alabama 61
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This game is going to be a matchup of two of the nation's top shooters- Jacobsen and Kapono. UCLA needs a win to gain some confidence as they have dropped out of the rankings. However, that won't happen. UCLA will crumble and Jacobsen will outshine Kapono with eight threes.
UCLA 75, Stanford 85
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Cal is a team that no one really expected to be in the hunt for a Pac-10 title at the beginning of the season, but a late-season loss to Washington cost them. Clancy and the Trojans are looking to make a statement and the Golden Bears are far from Golden. USC will win this game easily to stay in the Pac-10 race.
USC 84, Cal 75
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David Stevenson
Baseball writer
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I'm a Dallas native, so I really don't get this "rivalry." I can't remember when ASU has been nationally ranked and both schools have worthless mascots in both Wilbur the Wildcat and Sparky the Sun Devil. Where's the hatred? ASU comes off of an emotional win against UCLA Saturday but won't survive Arizona's revenge.
Arizona State, 71 Arizona 85
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All Trojans flip out when they hear people refer to their school as "Southern Cal" and not "Southern California." What's the deal with that? Stanford's Curtis Borchardt is averaging 16.7 points and 11.3 rebounds a game. He obviously has been blessed by alumnus Mark Madsen.
"Southern Cal" 73, Stanford 84
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So, Alabama got caught cheating in football. Kind of makes you wonder what's going on with the basketball program this year. Alabama's roster features names like: "Rambo," "Solomon," "Demetrius" and my personal favorite, " Terrance." But Florida has more experience and normal names.
Florida 77, Alabama 71
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Bruin coach Steve Lavin's misuse of a timeout against ASU last Saturday has the fans begging for him to be fired. Hopefully UCLA will wear those slick, black road jerseys. Stanford is primed to take over this conference under the leadership of guard Casey Jacobson.
Stanford 87, UCLA 78
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Cal beat "Southern Cal" 92-91 in overtime on Jan. 24. The Golden Bears are desperate for a win, having lost to Washington last week. Cal sophomore guard Shantay Legans is flat out funny-looking with that shaved dome. "Southern Cal" seems to be withering throughout the year.
"Southern Cal" 76 Cal 94
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Josh Bogorad
Staff Writer
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Upon hearing that the Sun Devils were in contention for the NCAA tournament, I quickly placed a phone call to Lucifer to check if hell had frozen over. It has not, and thus ASU once again finds itself destined for the NIT. ASU embarrassed Arizona last time in Tempe, and you can guarantee Lute Olson and the Cats will remember it tonight.
Arizona State 69, Arizona 87
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The Cardinal and Trojans will lay it all out the line in this battle of Pac-10 leaders. USC controls its own destiny and can guarantee a regular-season championship by winning out. But they have the most difficult schedule of all contending teams. A trip to the unfriendly confines of Northern California will put an end to USC's hope of going unbeaten from here on out.
USC 72, Stanford 75
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Two Top Ten powerhouses face off in an SEC battle for supremacy. Florida's big three of Udonis Haslem, Matt Bonner and Brett Nelson are averaging just under 50 points per game, and will prove to be too much for Alabama. The Gators have two more games against ranked opponents, and two wins will almost guarantee a No. 2 seed in March.
Florida 81, Alabama 71
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If there's one team in the Pac-10 that's as unpredictable as Arizona this season, it's UCLA. The Bruins are looking for some momentum heading into tournament time after slipping out of the Top 25. They're going to have to find it somewhere else though, because Casey Jacobsen will out-duel Jason Kapono and Stanford will complete the Southern California sweep.
UCLA 66, Stanford 88
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Cal has shocked everyone this season and is possibly tournament-bound with four games left in the regular season. The Pac-10 tournament will give the Bears a final chance to prove they belong with the big boys in March. However, these last four games could determine the fate of this team. Saturday will put them one step farther from their goal.
USC 75, California 68
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