Pac-10 tournament semifinals

UCLA (29-3) vs. USC (21-10), 6 – This will be the first meeting between the cross-town rivals in the 11-year history of the Pac-10 tournament. The teams split their regular-season meetings, each winning on the opponent’s home court after words spoken in the days leading up to the game provoked strong reactions. USC won, 72-63, on Jan. 19 at Pauley Pavilion after Trojans players were angered by UCLA junior Josh Shipp’s contention that the Bruins embodied the team concept and that the Trojans were more likely to chase scoring titles. UCLA pulled out a 56-46 victory on Feb. 17 at the Galen Center after USC freshman Davon Jefferson popped off about the Bruins’ lack of physicality in the first game.

– Ben Bolch

Washington State (24-7) vs. Stanford (25-6), 8:30 – Both teams are a given for the NCAA tournament, so this is about seeding and site for them. The Cougars are probably in the fifth seeding range now, and a victory in the conference tournament could put them as high as No. 3. Stanford is probably a third seed now, and a conference tournament championship could lift it to No. 2. The Cardinal swept the season series from the Cougars.

– Houston Mitchell