TONIGHT

No. 6 UCLA

(19-10, 11-7)

vs. No. 3 California

(21-7, 12-6)

9 p.m.

THE SEASON

UCLA defeated Cal, 64-57, at Pauley Pavilion; Cal defeated UCLA, 69-51, at Haas Pavilion.

STARTING LINEUPS

FORWARDS

UCLA’s Jason Kapono, 6-8, 16.9 ppg vs. California’s Joe Shipp, 6-5, 14.3 ppg.

UCLA’s Matt Barnes, 6-7, 13.3 ppg vs. California’s Jamal Sampson, 6-11, 6.7 rpg.

CENTERS

UCLA’s Dan Gadzuric, 6-11, 7.6 rpg vs. California’s Solomon Hughes, 6-11, 8.0 ppg.

GUARDS

UCLA’s Billy Knight, 6-5, 14.1 ppg vs. California’s Brian Wethers, 6-5, 9.6 ppg.

UCLA’s Cedric Bozeman, 6-6, 3.6 apg vs. California’s Shantay Legans, 5-10, 3.9 apg.

KEY RESERVES

UCLA: T.J. Cummings, 6-10, 8.0 ppg; Dijon Thompson, 6-7, 4.0 ppg; Andre Patterson, 6-7, 2.4 rpg; Ryan Walcott, 6-0, 1.9 ppg; Rico Hines, 6-5, 2.2 rpg.

California: Amit Tamir, 6-10, 11.5 ppg; Dennis Gates, 6-3, 3.8 apg; Ryan Forehan-Kelly, 6-5, 7.5 ppg; A.J. Diggs, 6-0, 3.2 ppg.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

Gadzuric posted double-doubles in both earlier meetings and seems to hold a psychological advantage over the younger Sampson, who totaled 13 points and nine rebounds in the two games. Tamir was held scoreless as a starter in UCLA’s victory, but he came off the bench to lead Cal with 18 points at Haas Pavilion. Wethers consistently penetrated the lane in Cal’s victory, scoring 15 points on five-for-seven shooting.

KEYS TO THE GAME

UCLA’s zone defense in the first meeting forced the Bears to take 25 three-point shots. They made only five and shot 37% from the field. The Bruins went to a man-to-man in the second game and were shredded inside. Holding Cal to under 50% shooting is essential. UCLA needs another big game by Gadzuric, hot shooting from either Kapono or Knight and balanced scoring from the supporting cast.

No. 2 Arizona

(19-9, 12-6)

vs. No. 7 Arizona St.

(14-13, 7-11)

6:30 p.m.

THE SEASON

Arizona State defeated Arizona, 88-72, in Tempe and Arizona beat Arizona State, 83-75, at Tucson.

STARTING LINEUPS

FORWARDS

Arizona’s Luke Walton, 6-8, 15.1 ppg vs. Arizona State’s Tommy Smith, 6-10, 12.0 ppg.

Arizona’s Rick Anderson, 6-9, 7.1 rpg vs. Arizona State’s Awvee Storey, 6-6, 6.9 ppg.

CENTERS

Arizona’s Channing Frye, 6-10, 6.3 rpg vs. Arizona State’s Chad Prewitt, 6-9, 17.6 ppg.

GUARDS

Arizona’s Salim Stoudamire, 6-1, 12.9 ppg vs. Arizona State’s Curtis Millage, 6-2, 13.4 ppg.

Arizona’s Jason Gardner, 5-10, 20.6 ppg vs. Arizona State’s Jason Braxton, 6-2, 2.2 apg.

KEY RESERVES

Arizona: Isaiah Fox, 6-9, 4.0 rpg; Will Bynum, 6-0, 6.6 ppg; Dennis Latimore, 6-8, 2.6 rpg.

Arizona State: Shawn Redhage, 6-7, 5.4 ppg; Kyle Dodd, 6-0, 2.3 apg; Kenny Crandall, 6-3, 6.8 ppg .

HOW THEY MATCH UP

Although the talent is about equal, Arizona is more cohesive and far more likely to make a run in the tournament. Gardner and Walton are the most savvy players on either team and can be counted upon to deliver in the clutch. Prewitt’s ability to score from the perimeter gives Arizona State an edge at center over the uneven Frye and Smith is the most athletic player on either team. Millage and Stoudamire are both dangerous shooters. Storey and Crandall are coming off injuries.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Arizona State must stay close early and hold off the inevitable Wildcat streak, which most likely will be triggered by Gardner and Stoudamire hitting from long range and by Walton making expert passes in transition. Arizona State has good depth and Coach Rob Evans can keep his players fresh with frequent substitutions.