Tonight is a make or break night for both Washington schools. In a game that is scheduled to tip off at 8:30, but probably won't until about 9, the NCAA hopes of both teams are hanging in the balance. For Washington State, they sit firmly on the bubble. In all but one bracket projection they are one of the first eight teams out of the dance. If they complete the season sweep against Washington, they may be in, but it gives them a win over a shot at playing another good team in what will likely be UCLA.
For the Huskies, a loss may throw them out of the tournament. They will play this game with out Venoy Overton and may play it without Justin Holiday. They need a great performance from everyone on the team to ensure a win.
Tonight will do a lot to decide what Pac-10 teams are dancing. It's The Cougars. It's The Huskies. Drama is bound to be happening.
Here are the most recent bracket projections. We'll be back with another look this Saturday and see how the first rounds of the Pac-10 impact the bracket projections.
ESPN: Joe Lunardi (Updated 3/10/2011)
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Washington Huskies: Tenth seed - Anaheim bracket - First and second-round games in Denver - Projected to play the Seventh-seeded Temple Owls - Seed steady
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Gonzaga Bulldogs: Ninth seed - San Antonio bracket - First and Second-round games in Tulsa- Projected to play the eighth seeded Utah State Aggies - Seed rising [Last time: Tenth seed]
- Washington State Cougars: Not included in bracket (Listed as fourth team in "First Four Out" category)
- Pac-10: Arizona (Fifth seed in New Orleans bracket - vs. Boston College), UCLA (Seventh seed in Newark bracket - vs. Saint Marys)
CBS Sports: Jerry Palm (Updated 3/10/2011)
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Washington Huskies: Eleventh seed - Newark bracket - First and second-round games in Tampa - Projected to play the sixth-seed UNLV Rebels - Seed steady
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Gonzaga Bulldogs: Tenth seed - Newark bracket - First and second-round games in Charlotte- Projected to play the Seventh-seed Georgetown Hoyas - seed steady
- Washington State Cougars: Not included in bracket
- Pac-10: Arizona (Seventh seed in New Orleans bracket - vs. Boston College), UCLA (Eight seed in Anaheim Bracket - vs. Illinois)
SB Nation's Blogging The Bracket (Updated 3/10/2011)
- Washington Huskies: Eleventh seed - Newark bracket - First and second-round games in Washington DC - Projected to play the seventh-seeded Vanderbuilt Commodores - Seed falling [Last time: Tenth seed]
- Gonzaga Bulldogs: Ninth seed - Anaheim bracket - First and second-round games in Chicago - Projected to play the eighth-seeded UCLA Bruins - Seed rising [Last time: Tenth seed]
- Washington State Cougars: Not included in bracket (Listed as first team in "Second Four Out" category
- Pac-10: Arizona (Fifth seed in San Antonio bracket - vs.Michigan State /Virginia Tech), UCLA (Eighth seed in Anaheim Bracket - vs. Gonzaga)
Bracketology 101 (Updated 3/10/2011)
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Washington Huskies: Tenth seed - Newark bracket - First and second-round games in Washington D.C. - Projected to play the Seventh-seeded Vanderbilt Commodores - Seed steady
- Gonzaga Bulldogs: Tenth seed - New Orleans bracket - First and second-round games in Charlotte - Projected to play the Seventh-seeded UCLA Bruins - Seed steady
- Washington State Cougars: Not included in bracket (Listed as last team in the "Next Four Out" category)
- Pac-10: Arizona (Fifth seed in San Antonio bracket - vs. Michigan State/Alabama), UCLA (Seventh seed in New Orleans Bracket - vs. Gonzaga )
Bracketville (Updated 3/7/2011)
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Washington Huskies: Tenth seed - Anaheim bracket - First and second-round games in Denver - Projected to play the seventh-seeded Kansas State Wildcats - Seed steady
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Gonzaga Bulldogs: Tenth seed - Newark bracket - First and second-round games in Charlotte - Projected to play the seventh-seeded UNLV Bruins - Seed rising [Last time: Eleventh seed]
- Washington State Cougars: Not included in bracket (Listed as final team in "First Five Out" category)
- Pac-10: Arizona (Seventh seed in New Orleans bracket - vs. Marquette), UCLA (Eighth seed in Newark Bracket - vs. Villanova)