Pac-10/Big 12 Hardwood Series

I enjoy any competition that puts the Pac-10 against another conference. It gives us a chance to answer the constant critique that we are soft and insubstantial. Last night USC forward Leonard Washington tried to answer these charges in his own particular Trojan idiom, he punched OU stud Blake Griffin in his family jewels. Washington was ejected and Griffin just seemed to get angry as the Sooners held on against a physical and talented USC team.

Dad you aren't that impressed with USC but I think Daniel Hacket is really tough and Taj Gibson always gives UA trouble. In fact I think they could take 2 from UCLA.

This is partly due to the fact that I was not that impressed with UCLA against UT. These two teams were very evenly matched. They have experienced guards and athletic shooters but no inside presence. They both play great defense, but the difference is A.J. Abrams can get his shot off whenever he wants. I think that UT could be headed to the final four because of that quick release.

As for the boys from Westwood, UCLA has little offense without their smothering defense and Aboya put backs. Shipp and Collison are special but neither of them scares me the way Kevin Love did. I think if teams can keep it close against UCLA and then force them to make a shot in the final seconds they can beat the Bruins.

Both of these games were exciting and I think all four teams involved will be contenders but none are better than UNC.

In the only other game in the Series, Washington beat Okie State making the Pac-10 record 1-2 against the Big12.

Arizona is at A&M tonight which will be interesting (more on that tomorrow).

Below is the rest of the schedule (Can't wait for that OSU/Iowa St. matchup).

How will the pac-10 end up?

My prediction: 5-7 (Pac10-Big12)

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Baylor at Washington State
Oregon State at Iowa State

Sunday, December 7, 2008
Kansas State at Oregon
Nebraska at Arizona State
California at Missouri

Also:
Colorado at Stanford (Sat., Nov. 29, 2008)
Kansas at Arizona (Tue., Dec. 23, 2008)
Texas Tech at Stanford (Sun., Dec. 28, 2008)