By CURRAN MCCAULEY
In a week that saw a lighter-than-normal schedule due to final examinations at campuses throughout the West Coast Conference, this Saturday still provides a bevy of key Pac 12 match-ups that will serve as a litmus test for the ‘Big 3” of the conference. All three of the games are nationally televised, so WCC fans can get their fix with nothing more than a cable subscription. Don’t blink though, because some of these pairings do not happen very often.
Saturday
Saint Mary’s (6-0) at California (7-2), 12:30 pm PT – Pac-12 Networks
The Gaels make the short jaunt to Berkeley for a highly anticipated matchup with the revamped Golden Bears. Despite just 13.8 miles between the campuses, this is the first game between the programs in 18 years. The Gaels, behind guards Joe Rahon (11.3 ppg) and Emett Narr (16.5 ppg), will look to break into the discussion for a Top 25 bid with a win while Cal’s talented freshman frontcourt Jaylen Brown (14.7 ppg) and Ivan Rabb (12.4 ppg) hope to get the Golden Bears back on track before conference play begins.
UCLA (6-3) at No.20 Gonzaga (6-2) , 7:05 pm PT – ESPN2
Gonzaga plays yet another Pac-12 foe in UCLA at McCarthey Athletic Center. The two programs know each other well, having played last year at Pauley Pavilion, a Gonzaga win, before meeting in the Sweet 16 in Houston, another triumph for the ‘Zags. The matchup represents the first time that UCLA’s storied program has visited Gonzaga’s home court. UCLA, fresh off its triumph over No. 1 Kentucky, will rely on Bryce Alford (16.2 ppg) and center Tony Parker (14.0 ppg and, 10.9 rpg) to combat the Kyle Wiltjer– Domantas Sabonis combination, which has been the key in the wake of Przemek Karnowski’s slow recovery from back spasms.
BYU (6-2) at Colorado (7-1), 5:00 pm PT – Pac-12 Networks
In any other weekend, this is the marquee game on the schedule. These two teams somehow haven’t played since 1955, a Cougar win 60 years ago. It has been an interesting year for BYU, fresh off the contest against Utah, which got chippy at the end, leading to the suspension of freshman Nick Emery for the Weber State contest after he threw a punch at a Ute. Kyle Collinsworth, Chase Fischer and Kyle Davis form an experienced core for the Cougars with an eye on March success. The high scoring Colorado offense includes George King (15.0 ppg) and Josh Fortune (12.0 ppg) to go with Josh Scott, who averages nearly a double-double (18.3 ppg and 9.8 rpg). A Cougar squad that plays regularly near mile-high at will negate CU’s usual advantage at altitude.
Other Games Saturday
Pepperdine (5-4) at Ball State (7-2) – 10:00 am PT – ESPN3
Pacific (1-6) at Fresno State (6-3) – 4:00 pm PT – Mountain West Network
Loyola Marymount (5-4) at Cal State Fullerton (6-2) – 6:00 pm PT – BigWest.TV
Sacramento State (6-2) at Portland (4-6) – 7:00 pm PT – TheW.tv
Pacific Union (NAIA) at Santa Clara (2-7) – 7:30 pm PT – TheW.tv
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