TONIGHT

WOMEN

Pacific 10 Conference

USC (16-6, 10-3) at Arizona State (15-7, 7-5), 5:30 PST -- This trip could help determine the Trojans’ finish in the conference and seeding for the Pac-10 tournament. But “it’s too soon to even think that way,” USC Coach Mark Trakh said. At present, Trakh says he’s looking for a return of the Trojans’ desire to play defense the way they did earlier in the season. USC hasn’t held any team under 50 points since the Jan. 16 game against the Sun Devils, when the Trojans won going away, 67-45. USC has won five in a row against ASU.

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UCLA (15-7, 9-4) at Arizona (15-8, 7-5), 6 PST -- Both teams are hobbling into the final weeks of the regular season. The Bruins -- in third place, a game behind USC -- are still without Noelle Quinn. She will have her surgically repaired knee evaluated again next week. Nikki Blue has played most of the season on a bad ankle and now has tendinitis in her left elbow. “Nikki’s carried us the last couple of weeks; I hope she doesn’t hurt her back,” UCLA Coach Kathy Olivier said, half-jokingly. Wildcat center Shawntinice Polk needs time to rest a bad knee and won’t practice much this week, Arizona Coach Joan Bonvicini says.

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--Mike Terry

MEN

Big West Conference

Cal State Northridge (12-9, 9-3) at Utah State (17-5, 8-3), 6 PST -- Northridge has won the last two meetings, including a stunning upset in last year’s Big West tournament semifinals. But the second-place Matadors have never won at Logan. Imagine what they’re in for against an Aggie team that has won its last four games by an average margin of 27.5 points. “We have not played well there since I’ve been in the conference,” Coach Bobby Braswell said. “We have to play a great game, a smart game.” Utah State may have the league’s best player in forward Spencer Nelson. Nelson, a 24-year-old senior, is averaging 15.6 points.

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Cal State Fullerton (12-7, 6-4) at UC Irvine (10-9, 4-7), 7, KVMD (Ch. 23), KUCI-FM (88.9), KWRM (1370) -- Fullerton has won four in a row, its longest streak in five years, as it tries to fend off Idaho for fourth place. The Titans lead the Big West in scoring (76.4 points per game) with all five starters in double figures. Senior forward Ralphy Holmes is averaging 17.8 points in the last five games. Irvine will try to duplicate one of its best efforts of the season when it defeated the Titans, 97-81.

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UC Riverside (8-12, 3-7) at Long Beach State (3-18, 1-10), 7:30, KPRO (1570) -- It is a must-win situation for two struggling teams trying to get into the Big West tournament. Riverside leads Cal Poly San Luis Obispo by two games and three in the loss column for the eighth and final spot. Junior guard Rickey Porter (12.2 points per game) is shooting 48.5% over the last three games. Backup point guard Justin Bell was suspended indefinitely last week for violating team rules but is practicing with the team. Long Beach, trying to make the conference tournament for the first time in three years, has no room for error.

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West Coast Conference

Portland (14-10, 3-6) at Loyola Marymount (11-11, 3-6), 7, KXLU-FM (88.9) -- Loyola figures to be among several teams fighting for seeding position in the conference tournament. Loyola Coach Steve Aggers is continuing to bring guard Brandon Worthy and forward Daryl Pegram off the bench following their return from injuries. The Lions were 2-7 without Worthy.

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No. 14 Gonzaga (17-4, 7-2) at Pepperdine (13-11, 3-6), 8, ESPN2 -- The Waves have shot 50% or better in their last two games while scoring 85 and 88 points. After getting inconsistent play at point guard, Pepperdine Coach Paul Westphal has recently gone with two -- Marvin Lea and Kingsley Costain -- in the starting lineup. Freshman starting center Russell Hicks will miss the game because of a death in the family. Gonzaga, which has won the last seven meetings, pulled back into a first-place tie with two wins last week. The game is a sellout.

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Nonconference

UC Santa Barbara (8-12) at UC Davis (8-14), 7, KIST (1340) -- Santa Barbara Coach Bob Williams returns to the school that he led to the Division II national championship in 1998. The Gauchos have won only one road game this season and are coming off a 30-point home loss to Utah State.

-- Eric Stephens