Win over USC would likely give ASU NCAA berth

Arizona State can do itself — and the bracketologists — a favor today. Beat USC, and the Sun Devils will, in all likelihood, secure a berth in the NCAA tournament.

Lose, and they’ll have to endure a nervous 72 hours waiting for Selection Sunday.

“If we can win against USC, I think we’ll be all right,” point guard Derek Glasser said. “This is the biggest game of the season so far.”

Taking care of the Trojans will not be an easy task. USC has won five of its past six games, its only loss coming on March 1 against ASU at Wells Fargo Arena. The Trojans are 11-4 since Jan. 12 and included in that stretch is a victory over UCLA.

“We’re playing a team that is red-hot,” ASU coach Herb Sendek said.

The Trojans also will be out to prove a point. Several USC players thought they were jobbed by the officials in ASU’s 80-66 victory. The Sun Devils made 34 of 39 free throws and the Trojans had just 11 attempts.

USC was whistled for 29 personal fouls to ASU’s 14, and three Trojans fouled out.

The chippy game heightened the rivalry between the two teams. For whatever reason, ASU and USC have developed a healthy dislike for each other.

“Those guys don’t have much respect for Arizona State,” freshman guard Jamelle McMillan said.

Junior forward Jeff Pendergraph isn’t sure about that. He just sees a USC team that doesn’t back down no matter who the adversary.

“Their whole team is physical and intense,” he said. “It’s not like certain guys on their team bring a certain energy. Everybody on their team is ready to go all the time.

“You say the wrong thing to somebody and they’re going to let you know. They’re not going to ignore it and play on. I don’t want to say they take it personal, but they take the game personal. It’s a serious deal for them to play basketball.”

The March 1 contest featured a stirring duel between freshmen James Harden and O.J. Mayo. Harden had 24 points on 7 of 8 shooting for ASU while Mayo scored 37 points and made 7 of 10 3-point attempts.

Don’t be surprised if they put up similar numbers today. Mayo is nearly unstoppable when he’s on — “we’ll just try to hold him under 40,” Glasser said with a smile — and Harden will be fully engaged because he’s playing in Staples Center for the first time.

Staples, of course, is the NBA home of his idol, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

“I’m excited about that,” Harden said.

While USC would seem to have the edge, given it’s playing in Los Angeles and is out to avenge its last loss, ASU does have one factor working in its favor.

The Trojans already have locked up a spot in the NCAA tournament. The Sun Devils probably haven’t, so they’ll play with a desperation that sometimes produces victories.

“I think we need to win,” Pendergraph said. “Even if what we have right now is enough, it would help take our fate out of other people’s hands.”

Pac-10 Tournament

When: Wednesday through Sunday

Where: Staples Center

Thursday's games: ASU vs. USC, 12 p.m.; UCLA vs. California - Washington winner, 2:30 p.m.; Oregon vs. Washington State, 6 p.m.; Stanford vs. Arizona - Oregon State winner, 8:30 p.m.

Semifinal games: 6 p.m.; 8:30 p.m. Friday

Championship game: 3:15 p.m. Saturday

Most To Gain: ASU, Oregon and Arizona. All three teams are on the NCAA Tournament bubble. A win in the quarterfinals likely would guarantee a tournament berth.

Most To Lose: UCLA. If the Bruins take care of business, they’ll be the No. 1 seed in the West. But if they’re upset early in the tournament, they could drop to a No. 2 seed and be sent East.

Watch Out For: USC. The Trojans are red-hot, having won five of their last six games and 11 of their last 16. Plus, they’ll be playing in front of a partial crowd at the Staples Center.

Player To Watch: Arizona’s Jordan Hill. If the Cats have any hope of beating Stanford in the quarterfinals, Hill must stay out of foul trouble while trying to guard the Lopez twins, Brook and Robin.