Pac-10 Tourney Preview

Since it has been a while since I last blogged up, I would like to first apologize for the absence. Secondly, let's get to the topic at hand. The regular season is over and now a bunch of pretty bad teams will try to steal an automatic bid to the Dance. What will happen? By the way the that league play has gone, I'll probably be completely wrong, but might as well take a stab at it. I will examine each matchup and offer my prediction and quick reasoning for the predicted outcome. This will be done for all ten games.

"Play-in Game":

Oregon v. Wazzu - this will be difficult to call because UO has lame-duck coach Ernie Kent, so it will be interesting to see how he gets his team ready for this game. The Cougs can definitely put up some points if Thompson and their young guys decided to do so, but they have been inconsistent so that is a toss-up. In the end, I think that Tajuan Porter will take care of business and send Oregon to their next game.

1st round:

Cal v. Oregon - This could obviously be Cal against the Cougs, but either way Cal pulls this out. Their three main guys are all seniors who want to prove winning the regular season title was no fluke. They are also coached by one of my favorite coaches growing up in Mike Montgomery, so I have to go with them.

Arizona v. UCLA - Oh man, let's see. Arizona swept the Bruins, though the Bruins dominated the last game, only to lose it in the closing minutes. This game is played in Los Angeles, but it probably does not mean much since the Wildcats destroyed the Bruins at Pauley on Jan 2nd. Though my heart says Bruins, I have to choose the Wildcats.

Washington v. Oregon State - Beaver fever will probably not be enough to stop senior Quincy Pondexter and tiny soph Thomas. Washington has too much fire power to lose this game.

Arizona St. v. Stanford - The Cardinal cannot win away from Maples and Arizona State is simply better than them. So the loose-shocker waving Devils will advance.

semi-finals:

Cal v. Arizona - Arizona has been way too up and down this year to win this game. You also have to figure the Berkeley faithful will try to make this game a home game since they usually don't have too much of a reason to be excited about Cal basketball. Also, Nic Wise will get destroyed by Jarome Randle, and I personally will love to see that happen.

Washington v. Arizona State - Both feel like they have a legitimate case to make it as an at-large but know they are by any means locks. Both teams have also been hot of late but the last time I checked, the game will be played in Los Angeles not Seattle. Washington has issues on the road, so ASU should be able to pull this off.

championship game:

Cal v. Arizona State - Cal pretty much is a lock to make the tourney. Arizona State has a great chance, but is not assured of anything. We do know one thing, Cal sports tend to choke. This could very well happen, and none of us should be too surprised to see ASU win the tournament to earn the automatic bid.