And a common theme is emerging: the Bruins need to win this game if they want to keep progressing toward a NCAA berth. Not only because this is a very winnable home game, the type you need to win simply to be competitive in the conference, but also due to the specific opponent: Arizona State. It's quite possible that the fourth (and final) spot for a Pac-10 team in the tourney will come down to us and ASU. If we win this game, we'll go up 2-0 on them head-to-head, which certainly should help our chances. However, if we lose, we might be looking at a must-win against them in the first round of the Pac-10 tourney (we will play them in the first round if we finish 4-5 in the conference). So hopefully on Thursday we won't fall behind by more than say, I don't know, eight points before we start playing. Is that asking too much?

Official UCLA preview (pdf)
NCAA will be watching closely (Daily News)
Still a chance (Press-Enterprise)

This last article has a great quote from Jim Saia about his team's discussion of sneaking into the eighth spot of the Pac-10 tourney: "We've mentioned it." Come on, Jim! I expect a little more confidence from you! After all, it was a mere two years ago that (as an assistant) you led our Mighty Bruins to an eighth place Pac-10 finish (actually a 3-way tie for sixth!). You need to be an inspiration to all head coaches whose replacements have already been hired.