These West Coast Offenses Got Cut Off at the Pass

One West Coast upstart, Gonzaga, is eliminated. Then the other. . . .

So much for the theory that UCLA’s superior athletic ability would force Iowa State into a half-court game. . . .

I guess the Bruins weren’t ready to play the Palace. . . .

UCLA’s last chance in the 80-56 loss Thursday night came when the Cyclones’ Marcus Fizer went to the bench after drawing his third foul with 12:33 remaining. When he returned four minutes later, the Bruins had cut the lead by only two points--from 16 to 14. . . .

Earl Watson needed Chuck Bodak in his corner. You know, the cut man for Oscar De La Hoya. . . .

Watson, his left eye swollen since Saturday’s game against Maryland, said he wasn’t seeing double. . . .

But he was seeing triple double. Well, almost. His counterpart, Jamaal Tinsley, had 14 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. . . .

Among contemporary point guards, Tinsley is most often compared to Gary Payton. CBS’ Bill Raftery isn’t so contemporary. He said Tinsley reminds him of Earl “The Pearl” Monroe. . . .

As great as Fizer and Tinsley are, almost as important to the Cyclones’ success is Kantrail Horton’s defense. I don’t remember anything about Jason Kapono from this game other than his headband. . . .

Bob Boyd, who would be better remembered nationally if he hadn’t coached across town from John Wooden, had to have been ecstatic. That’s not because UCLA lost but because one of his proteges, Larry Eustachy, won. . . .

OK. It’s also because UCLA lost. . . .

Eustachy drove from Ames, Iowa, to Auburn Hills, Mich. With these gas prices, that’s fear of flying. . . .

The winner of Saturday’s game between Michigan State and Iowa State is your national champion.

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When the Angels sent second baseman Randy Velarde and pitcher Omar Olivares to Oakland last July, they got three minor leaguers in return. . . .

When the Dodgers sent second baseman Eric Young and pitcher Ismael Valdes to Chicago in December, they got middle reliever Terry Adams and two minor leaguers in return. . . .

When the Angels got second baseman Adam Kennedy and pitcher Kent Bottenfield from St. Louis on Thursday, they had to give up Jim Edmonds. . . .

The price of second baseman and starting pitchers is going up almost as fast as dot.com stocks. . . .

Under the circumstances, the Angels probably did the best they could. . . .

Although you’ll hear more about Bottenfield because he was an 18-game winner last season and the Angels are desperate for starting pitching, Kennedy probably will be more important to their future. . . .

The Cardinals didn’t think he was ready to start at second base this season, trading for Fernando Vina. . . .

But Kennedy, a former All-American at Cal State Northridge, has impressed scouts at every level. Besides his hitting, they like his work ethic and his leadership qualities.. . .

The Cardinals had more doubts about Bottenfield. . . .

He won only 18 games in his first six major league seasons combined, and even though he matched that last season alone, he received more run support than the Cardinals’ other starters. . . .

Of course, the Angels might also score a lot of runs for him even without Edmonds. . . .

The Cardinals weren’t convinced Bottenfield was a No. 1 starter. Or even a No. 2 or a

No. 3. . . .

They overhauled their staff during the winter, bringing in Darryl Kile, Pat Hentgen and Andy Benes. . . .

The Cardinals, who acquired Mark McGwire from Oakland after the Angels decided not to trade Edmonds for him, now have Edmonds as well. . . .

This closes a sad chapter in Anaheim. . . .

A local favorite from Diamond Bar, Edmonds was more popular with the fans than in the clubhouse. He wasn’t serious enough for some of his more intense teammates. . . .

One was Chuck Finley, who gave Edmonds a Bronx cheer when the Yankees were considering trading for him. . . .

Circle June 2-4 on your calendars. Finley and Edmonds could face each other when the Cleveland Indians visit St. Louis on those days. . . .

Even if Edmonds matures, he still won’t be the best center fielder in the National League Central. But he could be the boost that the Cardinals need to overcome Ken Griffey Jr. and the Cincinnati Reds.

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While wondering if it could have been considered a Dream Team without Vince Carter, I was thinking: The New Jersey Devils are acting like George Steinbrenner already owns them, NBC won’t have to worry about lapel microphones going to waste if Tom Lasorda becomes coach of the U.S. Olympic baseball team, the LPGA tournament in Rancho Mirage will always be the Dinah Shore to me.

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Randy Harvey can be reached at his e-mail address: randy.harvey@latimes.com