Yesterday's Action

Not a great day for the Northwest Pac-10 teams--all four lost by double-digits.

Arizona State 77, Washington 63 [ESPN]: Lots of postgame coverage centered on the Dawgs' inability to score against ASU's 2-3 zone, but the real crime in this game was allowing 77 points to the slow-down Sun Devils. ASU averages only 60.4 possessions per game, that's 329th in the country. They've only scored 77 once in Pac-10 play, and that was in a double-overtime game. The Dawgs were atrocious on defense, allowing scores of easy baskets and wide-open jumpers to ASU's motion offense. Pondexter and Brockman looked particularly lost.
Washington 6-9 in Pac-10, 15-13 overall. RPI: 102. Next game Thursday at Stanford.

Arizona 65, Wazzu 55 [ESPN]: Both parties seemed to agree that the Wildcats were the more motivated team--after losing to the Dawgs on Thursday, UA faces the spectre of missing the NCAA tourney for the first time since 1983. Jarryd Bayless had 20 points in the second half. Wazzu couldn't get anything going inside--they shot 22 threes, making only 5.
Wazzu 9-6 in Pac-10, 21-6 overall. RPI: 19. Next game Thursday at Cal.

UCLA 75, Oregon 65 [ESPN]: Oregon once again blew a double-digit second half lead. They led UCLA by 11 with 14 left, then went ten minutes without a field goal. The Ducks are so reliant on the outside shot that they are overly prone to long scoring slumps--they're like a baseball team that can't score without hitting home runs.
Oregon 6-9 in Pac-10, 15-12 overall. RPI: 54. Next game Sunday at Oregon St.

USC 81, Oregon State 53 [ESPN]: Just when you think the Beavers have hit rock bottom, they start the SC game by getting behind 40-9. 40-9!!! It was also 33-5 at one point. The Beavers have lost their last three games by 28, 35, and 38 points.
Oregon St. 0-15 in Pac-10, 6-21 overall. RPI: 244. Next game Sunday vs. Oregon.

Today's action:
Boston @ Blazers, 3pm.
Lakers @ Sonics, 6pm.