Pac-10 Tournament Preview: How Will It All Shake Out?

With the PAC-10 Tournament just a couple of weeks away, it's time to take a look at how it all might shake out. 

The easiest and surest prediction for the PAC-10 tourney?  It promises to be a hoops slugfest. 

Though winning here would mean most to the lower seeded teams, nobody is going to ease off the gas.

Two seeds already are set.  UCLA will be the No. 1 and Oregon State will be No. 10.  Here's a look at how things might play out for the rest of the teams in this monster conference...

Game 1—No. 8 Oregon vs. No. 9 Washington

Huskies will surprise some by opening the tourney with a win.

Game 2—No. 7 Cal vs. No. 10 Oregon State

The Beavers' season of misery will come mercifully to an end.

Game 3—No. 4 WSU vs. No. 5 USC

Last year the Trojans avenged their regular season pummeling at the hands of the Cougs.  Not this year.  Cougs will prevail.

Game 4—Washington vs. No. 1 UCLA

No letdown for the Bruins.  UCLA cruises to the next round.

Game 5—Cal vs. No. 2 Stanford

Rivalry or not, this game will see the Cardinal advancing.

Game 6—No. 3 Arizona vs. No. 6 ASU

Another rivalry pairs up on a neutral court.  The ‘Cats' big game experience—earned throughout their far tougher season schedule—will pay dividends here.  Wildcats move forward.

Game 7—WSU vs. UCLA

The Cougs will have a few days to prepare for their opening game in the NCAA.  UCLA reaches the finals.

Game 8—Stanford vs. Arizona

This could be the game of the tournament.  Both teams can and will light up the scoreboard.  In the end, Arizona will outshoot Stanford and earn the right to play UCLA.

Game 9—UCLA vs. Arizona

This matchup will see a Final Four team come up against a Sweet Sixteen team.  UCLA goes to the Dance with a Pac-10 Championship on their resume.

With only a couple of weeks left in the season, the Pac-10's talent and play has been awesome…with just one exception. 

The conference will be well represented in the NCAA this year.  Depth has given every team some tremendous experience that will serve them well.

Let the Madness begin!

GO COUGS!!!