Pac 10 hoops is going to be tough this year

[Russ Smith]

UCLA survives against WSU, down 10 in the first half, 9 with 14 minutes left. Collison scoreless with 3 fouls in teh first half, goes off for 13 in the 2nd. Roll hits a huge 3 late and UCLA holds on. WSU blocked a lot of shots and UCLA was in foul trouble both halves, the refs were just now allowing much contact.

USC and UW are in OT, USC is up 3 under a minute.

UA ran out Cal, Stanford beat ASU.

 

[Lefty]

Looks like the Pac-10 goes six deep. The only breathers are against ASU, Oregon State, Cal(they're decimated with injuries) and Stanford.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I wouldn't call Stanford a breather. They're certainly not an NCAA team but have at least beaten some decent teams this year. You're right that Cal, ASU, and Oregon State are horrendous and I want to see Oregon play somebody before crowning their ass. The first half the Pac schedule is very tough for the Cats (SoCal and Washington trips as well as Carolina) so if they come away near the lead I like our chances.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

Hey Russ, WVU plays UCLA in a few weeks. Should be a good game. WVU just upset UConn and was up by as many as 17 in the second half. UCLA might have some trouble with WVU's 1-3-1 zone, but this will be a tough gamefor WVU to win. It is sandwiched between games at #7 Pitt and at Georgetown, where they play 3 games in 4 days.

Should be interesting thoug, UCLA is tough

 

[Russ Smith]

Continue to be impressed with this conference. Stanford pushed UA the whole game until a late run at the end, the Lopez twins are rounding into shape now and look terrific, they're going to be murder to handle, and Lawrence Hill is very good too, if they get any guard play at all watch out.

UA continues to be impressive offensively, their defense looked better too, still not much of a bench but that starting 5 is awfully good.

USC and WSU both continue to impress, USC's problem is turnovers, and not shooting the 3 very well, they're dead last in the conference in made 3's. That killed them today eventually WSU just started sagging it in to stop all the high % shots, and USC missed some 3's. Both teams are much better than expected though.

I think OSU exposed Oregon a bit today, Oregon won but the game was much tighter than I expected, even in a rivalry game.

 

[Russ Smith]

Wow, UCLA just blew out UW today, 22 point win. UCLA had a 10 point lead midway in the first half when the ref called a really late foul on Mata giving Hawes 2 Ft's, Mata never touched him. UW got a brief run going largely on foul shots, and then UCLA ran out 9-0 at the end of the half to go in up 14. Then blew them out, up 22, UW ran it back to 12 with a brief flurry before UCLA ended it.

Roll was great off the bench, Shipp cramped up(same leg he has a sprained ankle on) and Roll came in and got hot. Afflalo was unreal, 27 points 8 assists 5 boards and stifling as usual defense. 20 in the first half, UCLA, was 12-25 on 3's for the game. Collison had a career high 12 assists.

I kind of figured we'd beat UW handily because I didn't think their guards could hold up to the pressure on the road, UW is 0-3 on the road this year with 2 blowout losses, very talented team but young.

I still don't think UCLA is the best team in the country but 2 of the last 3 games have been awfully impressive, Michigan and UW with a not so impressive win over WSU in one of those grind it out games WSU forces you into.

Going to be a fun year in the Pac 10.