No. 8 Washington vs. No. 9 California
The Pacific-10 Conference Tournament begins today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, with two “play-in” games between the bottom four teams in the conference.
First up is No. 8 seed Washington against No. 9 seed Cal in what should be a competitive matchup as the teams split their season series, each winning on the other’s home court.
California led the conference in scoring this season at 77.5 points per game, and features sophomore Ryan Anderson, who led the conference in individual scoring with 21.5 points per game, is third in rebounding at 9.9 rebounds per game and was recently named to the All Pac-10 first team.
Washington’s case for an NCAA at-large bid came to an end with a 76-73 loss to Washington State last weekend, and their chances at making a run in the conference tournament may have taken a hit as well as junior Jon Brockman injured his ankle with less than two minutes left to play in the game and is listed as day-to-day.
No. 7 Arizona vs. No. 10 Oregon State
A Beaver victory would certainly be the biggest upset in the short history of play-in games in the Pac-10 tournament, but don’t tell that to Oregon State senior Marcel Jones, who has predicted a tournament championship for his historically futile team.
“It’s a different season, and we start from scratch. Different attitude, different atmosphere, neutral site,” Jones told the Register-Guard this week. “I think it’s a great opportunity, and I like the fact people don’t give us a chance.”
Jones led the Beavers in scoring (10.5 ppg) and rebounding (5.4 rpg) this season, and certainly hasn’t started doubting his own abilities because of the poor season his team has had.
“I think I’m better, or just as good, as anyone in the country,” Jones said. “I’m just on a team that didn’t do so well.”
Arizona needs every win it can get if it has any hope of making it into a 24th consecutive NCAA tournament. Despite the Wildcats’ strength of schedule, their sub-.500 Pac-10 record and number of losses down the stretch might keep them out of the field if they don’t win at least two games at the Pac-10 tournament.

Arizona State (19-11, 9-9)

Some analysts are convinced that the Sun Devils are near locks for the tournament despite their weak Ratings Percentage Index of 74 and their 9-9 conference record.
They beat Xavier by 22 points, swept Arizona and beat USC and Stanford. Five wins against Top 50 teams should get them in, but the Sun Devils need to put up a fight against USC in the Pac-10 Tournament to assure it.

Oregon (18-12, 9-9)

The Ducks could very well be either the last team in or the last team out.
Most people are saying they need to beat Washington State on Thursday to assure themselves a date to the Big Dance, but Oregon hopes to avoid the issue entirely by winning the whole Pac-10 Tournament.
Should the Ducks fail to receive an at-large bid, they’d have reason to gripe if the Wildcats, a team they beat twice, make it.

Stanford (24-6, 13-5)

The Cardinal is a lock to make the tournament and will only want to win the tournament to either receive a better seed, or to get revenge on UCLA, who swept Stanford this year, the most recent being a highly contested matchup.
Stanford, however, doesn’t seem to play very well come tournament time and usually bows out in the second round. Is it a coincidence that Stanford has its finals around the same time?

UCLA (28-3, 16-2)

The Bruins are looking to establish themselves as a No. 1 seed for the NCAAs and will need a good performance in the Pac-10 Tournament to solidify it.
They struggled against the Bay Area schools last weekend and looked vulnerable for an upset. They’re looking to wipe away those doubts and secure one of the brackets’ top spots to try to create an easier road for the NCAA Championship.

USC (20-10, 11-7)

The Trojans are playing for seeding as well. Right now they are projected as a No. 7 in an ESPN bracket and obviously want to improve that seed if they want an easier time advancing through the bracket.
After sweeping the Bay Area schools last weekend, the Trojans are getting hot at the right time and should be a team to watch for in either tournament.

Washington State (23-7, 11-7)

Another Pac-10 shoo-in, the Cougars will face the Ducks in each team’s first game of the tournament. Washington State is listed as a No. 6 seed in the latest ESPN bracket and may have trouble against an Oregon team that feels the matchup is a must-win game.
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