Often overlooked during championship week, the Pacific-10 Conference finds itself in the spotlight this year after a roller-coaster season. While UCLA has emerged as a clear favorite, unpredictability abounds and lower-than-usual seeds like Arizona and Washington will look to make a splash. The jury is out on whether tonight's game against Southern California is a must-win for Stanford to make the NCAA tournament, but it's safe to say a win would have the Cardinal faithful resting easy on selection day.

10) Arizona State (2-16 Pac-10) lost five of its last seven games of the regular season, but was coming off a momentum-gaining 42-41 win over California going into last night's match-up with Washington. The 10th-seeded Sun Devils have been playing close to teams all season, playing eight conference games decided by five points or less. So, it wasn't that much of a surprise when ASU gained a 45-41 upper hand in the middle of last night's second half. The Huskies rallied to close out the game, outscoring the Sun Devils 18-6 to clinch the win. As the old adage suggests, winning is everything, especially in the Pac-10.

9) Oregon State, in the ninth seed, had the best chance of the two bottom dwellers to get an upset in yesterday's play-in game. It didn't happen, though, as the Beavers were pounded, 70-51 by California. Oregon State (3-15) was the only team without a single All-Pac-10 selection or honorable mention, and failed to rebound from last week's 49-70 trouncing at the hands of cross-state rival Oregon.

8) Eighth-seeded Cal (6-12) appeared in the tournament's championship game last season, only to be handed a 71-52 beating by UCLA. Without Leon Powe this year, it'll be difficult to get that far again. But with last night's play-in win, the Bears snapped a four-game losing streak. Cal went on a 34-2 run, with eight three-pointers, to take the lead in the first half and eventually finish off the Beavers. The Bears' last win in the regular season, coincidentally enough, also came against Oregon State.

7) Winning the Pac-10 Tournament is a must for disappointing Washington (8-10) to make the NCAAs. Winners of two straight, against USC and UCLA no less, the seventh-seeded Huskies seem primed for the spoiler role. Their lone road victory, a 66-61 win at Arizona State, may point otherwise, but Washington at least redeemed itself with a 59-51 win over the Sun Devils last night. Whether the Huskies can win over any other team at Staples is yet to be seen.

6) Head coach Trent Johnson says Stanford should make the NCAA tournament "win or lose," but the sixth-seeded Cardinal (10-8) may need one more just to be sure. While Johnson cautioned against expecting too much, sophomore guard Anthony Goods should play in tonight's game against USC. Along with All-Pac-10 honors for Lawrence Hill, and All-Freshmen honors for Brook Lopez, Goods' return could be the boost Stanford needs.

5) This year's fifth seed represents the lowest ever for Arizona (11-7) in the tournament's 10 years. The Wildcats are essentially a lock for the Big Dance and could make a splash in the Pac-10s as well. Chase Budinger got the nod for Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, but experienced hands like All-Pac-10 forward Marcus Williams and reigning Pac-10 Player of the Week Ivan Radenovic know what it takes to win in the postseason.

4) Fourth-seeded Oregon (11-7) upset Washington in last season's tournament before losing to Cal in a double-overtime semifinal thriller. All Pac-10 guard Aaron Brooks leads the team and the Pac-10 in scoring with 18 points per game. The Ducks had a solid season, including quality wins over UCLA, Washington State and Arizona, but get a first-round match up against the Wildcats as a reward.

3) A first-round loss to Stanford could put USC's NCAA Tournament credentials in question, but the team is more or less a lock. Third is the highest seed for the Trojans (11-6) in the Pac-10s, and the squad will have a friendly crowd at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Head coach Tim Floyd said the Pac-10 Tournament is wide open, and prevailing opinion agrees.

2) Washington State, picked to finish last in the preseason media poll, now finds itself a two seed in the Pac-10 Tournament after its best regular season in 60 years. First-year coach Tony Bennett took Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors, and Derrek Low and Kyle Weaver were each named All-Pac-10. The Cougars (13-5) don't play a pretty brand of basketball, but they've been getting the wins. Tonight's match up against rival Washington is must-see TV.

1) A likely No. 1 seed for the Big Dance, UCLA (15-3) will look to repeat for the tournament crown before making a deep run in the NCAAs. Pac-10 Player of the Year Aaron Afflalo leads a deep and talented squad that is thinking about a national championship. Darren Collison has capable filled in for Jordan Farmar at point guard, and the consensus is that the Bruins are better than last year--a scary thought.

@@line:Contact Patrick Fitzgerald at patfitz@stanford.edu.