PAC-10 Tournament Article. (Part Two)

March 13, 2008 by Ryan Walker

After Cal’s take down of Washington and the debacle that was technically considered a game between Arizona and a JV school from somewhere in the northwest, the Pac-10 tournament is in full swing.

#1- UCLA

#9- Cal

A rematch that could not have been written better. After a controversial 1 point victory for the Bruins last week, Cal has a chance for redemption. So how does a 16-14 team in Cal present a legit problem for the Bruins?

For Starters reguardless of what their record says, the Bears are very good team, and they provide match-up problems for UCLA. With Ryan Anderson, who hit a HUGE three in the final minute to seal the game for the Bears last night, Cal has a versatile forward who can take UCLA’s big men away form the basket. Meanwhile DeVon Hardin and Kevin Love will be having a battle underneath. If DeVon Hardin can stay out of foul trouble and concentrate on boxing out Love EVERY play, Cal has a chance.

The teams that seem to give UCLA the most problems, are teams that can shoot the ball, and one thing is for sure, Cal can shoot. Cal’s sophomore studs Ryan Anderson, Patrick Christopher, and Jerome Randle can all score from the outside, all three have the ability of taking over games, and if they get hot, UCLA very well could be looking at an early exit.

However, let’s not be too optimistic, UCLA still has one of the best defenses in the country. They can close out on perimeter shooters, causing them to either alter their shot, or disrupt their rhythm. This was especially true in their first meeting, where UCLA held Ryan Anderson, Patrick Christopher, and Jerome Randle to a combined 11-35 shooting. If Cal shoots like that again, this game will be over in a hurry.

In the end, Cal will shoot a decent percentage from the field, and the game will certainly be closer many think. Final score: UCLA-72 Cal-64.

#2- Stanford

#7- Arizona

This game has all the makings of a classic PAC-10 slugfest. Stanford is coming off of consecutive losses, including an absolute heart-breaker at Pauley Pavilion. A third consecutive loss heading into the tournament could be disastrous for the Cardinal.

After discarding OSU, the Wildcats now face a tough team with the college version of the twin towers. For the Wildcats it truly has been feast or famine this seaosn, sweeping Washington St, Cal, and Oregon St, while being swept by Stanford, UCLA, Oregon, and Arizona St.

Led by the talented freshman Jerryd Bayless, and sophomore forwards Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill, Arizona will tell you, there is no more important player than Arizona PG Nic Wise. With Wise, who is returning from a knee injury, the Wildcats are a COMPLETELY different team. Wise allows Bayless to play off the ball, and is arguably Arizona’s only true PG.

Even though Stanford won both meetings this year, it was by a combined 5 points. The key to the third meeting will be Stanford’s outside shooting. Stanford’s starting Guard Anthony Goods, who Arizona has held to 5.5 PPG average on just 2-12 shooting in the two previous meetings this year, is my pick for the biggest wildcard of the game. If Goods shoots well from the outside, Arizona is in trouble. In the end, this game is big for both teams, and ultimately Stanford is the team that can not afford to go into the tournament on a three game losing streak. Even though it is usually extremely hard to beat a team three times in a season, Stanford wins 65-60. Though Arizona will still get an invite to the big dance.

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