STF Conference Reports: Pac-10 3/6/08

Team Of The Week - Arizona State. Though only one victory last week the Sun Devils put themselves firmly on the good side of the bubble with Saturday's win over Souther Cal. Despite the beating UCLA handed them Thursday. With the win they're on the verge of locking up a tournament bid one year after finishing 2-16 in conference. It's been a great year for ASU when you consider where they were at this time last year and with the Oregon schools on tap it appears the Sun Devils and fabulous freshmen James Harden will reach their goal. A truly fantastic coaching job by Herb Sendek.

Player Of The Week - Kevin Love. Nothing like a pair of double-doubles to go with a sweep through Arizona for one of the conference many freshmen stars. Kevin Love has been as good as advertised this season for the Bruins and I'm sure the best has yet to come with the season's largest stage looming just over the horizon. He's the ultimate weapon for the leagues best team as he can knock it down from the perimeter and get the tough buckets on the block as well. Regardless of how it all shakes out for UCLA though, I expect him to return next season and be even better. If you can imagine that.

Team With The Worst Week - Arizona. Their streak of winning one and losing two continued this week as they followed up their win at Washington State with a pair of home losses to USC and UCLA. Neither of which was terribly close and has placed this squad just as close to the fringe as their in-state rivals. Like those rivals, however, they've got the Oregon schools remaining on their schedule and have a great shot to reach .500 in conference with a two game winning streak. Without those wins (against Oregon State especially) they'll be sweating buckets come Selection Sunday regardless how good their computer numbers look. I think they pull it off as both Arizona squads sweep through Oregon and put the final nail in the Ducks coffin.

Games To Watch -
3/6 - Arizona State @ Oregon - Oregon's last shot to try and sneak in starts here.
3/6 (7) Stanford @ (3) UCLA - The Bruins look to strengthen their case for a #1 seed with a sweep of the Cardinals.
3/8 - Arizona @ Oregon - A virtual must-win for the 'Cats and their crumbling resume.
3/8 (7) Stanford @ USC - A win here locks in the Trojans, but could leave the Cardinals a seed line lower.