The quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Tournament kick-off at Staples Center at the stroke of noon on Thursday as the USC Trojans and California Golden Bears hit the floor in Los Angeles. The Trojans and Bears finished in a dead-heat in the Pac-10 standings, compiling 10-8 records in conference play. USC holds a slight edge overall with an 18-13 record, half a game better than Cal’s 17-13 record on the year. Both teams are just off the bubble, making Thursday’s matchup crucial for each team’s tournament hopes.
On paper, the Bears and Trojans are about equal, splitting the season series in Pac-10 play. Cal beat USC in Los Angeles in January and the Trojans returned the favor in Berkley a month later. The two head to a somewhat neutral floor, though USC should have a home-court advantage, to settle the score with a berth in the Pac-10 Tournament quarterfinals on the line.
It all gets started at noon on FSN. Tune in throughout the day for wall-to-wall Pac-10 hoops action on FSN.
First round: Wednesday, March 9
No. 9 Oregon State Beavers def. No. 8 Stanford Cardinal, 69-67
No. 7 Oregon Ducks def. No. 10 Arizona State Sun Devils, 76-69
Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 10
No. 4 USC Trojans vs. No. 5 California Golden Bears, noon, FSN
No. 1 Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 9 Oregon State, 2:30, FSN
No. 2 UCLA Bruins vs. No. 7 Oregon 6 p.m., FSN
No. 3 Washington Huskies vs. No. 6 Washington State Cougs, 8:30 p.m., FSN
Semifinals: Friday, March 11
USC/California vs. Arizona/Oregon State, 6 p.m., FSN
UCLA/Oregon vs. Washington/Washington State, 8:30 p.m., FSN
Finals: Saturday, March 12
Semifinal winners, 3 p.m., CBS
For more on the tournament, including the latest news and bracket updates, check out the rest of our 2011 Pac-10 tournament StoryStream.