No. 11 Arizona
at No. 3 UCLA
The Bruins comprise the best team in the country, right? Wrong. Although both these teams have strugged of late, Arizona will be the one to shrug off the malaise first. The Wildcats will have a chip on their shoulders after losing a tough game against Oregon, and UCLA still believes it’s the team to beat. Once Arizona enters UCLA’s house looking to play, it will be apparent that trouble is Bruin.
Arizona 78, UCLA 64
Ari Wasserman
staff writer
In a huge Pac-10 matchup with Tournament implications, look for the Wildcats to step it up with a lot of energy against an overrated UCLA team. Arizona will take advantage behind future lottery pick Marcus Williams and a strong starting five.
Arizona 86, UCLA 78
Savir Punia
staff writer
Arizona has more holes in it than a screen door. An injury-prone team with a bench shorter than Nic Wise, the Wildcats must work too hard for wins, and it’s showing as the season progresses. Though neither team won in their recent matchups against pesky Oregon, the Bruins kept them down to 68 points, while Arizona allowed them to score 79. Wildcat starters are phenomenal, but that only goes so far.
UCLA 84, Arizona 83
Lance Madden
staff writer
No. 12 Oklahoma St.
at No. 8 Texas A&M
The Aggies have won eight straight games. Well, it was fun while it lasted. Although they have been bullying these unranked teams over the past few weeks, they haven’t been able to handle the big dogs. Texas A&M is 0-2 against ranked opponents this season, with losses to UCLA and LSU. The Cowboys are riding the momentum of their big triple-overtime victory against Texas and will ride the wave of success through the Aggies’ gym.
Oklahoma St. 61, Texas A&M 53
Ari Wasserman
staff writer
After the win against Texas in Stillwater in three overtimes Tuesday, I’m a believer in OSU. The Cowboys are going to take momentum into in this game against yet another overrated ranked team. OSU will come out hard and fast and win this one.
Oklahoma St. 82, Texas A&M 79
Savir Punia
staff writer
The Cowboys lasso the Aggies in this one thanks to the dirty work of one man: Boggan. Oklahoma’s Mario Boggan has scored more than 20 points 13 times this season and more than 30 three times. His latest bulldoggin’ came against No. 21 Texas in a 105-103 triple-OT win. He scored 37 points and grabbed 20 boards, and oh, yeah, he hit the game-winning trey with three seconds left. Tip your ten-gallon to this guy.
Oklahoma St. 80, Texas A&M 71
Lance Madden
staff writer
Washington at
Washington St.
So what if Washington is 1-5 in the Pac-10? Sure, the Huskies have no wins in an away contest this year, but there is a first time for everything. Washington’s outstanding freshman center, Spencer Hawes, is averaging 15.2 points a game, and I don’t think he is too concerned that the game is on the road, despite the team’s recent struggles on the road. Washington has always been the superior of the two schools on the court. Look for the teams’ true colors to show.
Washington 75, Washington St. 64
Ari Wasserman
staff writer
This is a huge Pac-10 rivalry game that promises to be great, with two evenly-matched teams ready to square off. Washington has struggled in conference play with a 1-5 record and needs to move up the standings quickly. Washington State has been a different story, with a three-point loss to UCLA and an upset win against Arizona. It’ll be a close one, but Washington should pull it out with its second conference win of the season in overtime to ignite its ascension up the Pac-10 standings.
Washington 97, Washington St. 96 (OT)
Savir Punia
staff writer
This is a case of little boys and men. No, I’m not talking about Michael Jackson. I’m talking about the young Huskies. The Huskies have underclassmen making up eight of the 12 spots on their active roster. The team is ninth in the Pac-10 and still hasn’t won a game on the road. Tack on another loss, because things aren’t going to change now. I foresee a Cougar mauling.
Washington St. 79, Washington 65
Lance Madden
staff writer