Halfway through the league schedule, the Pac-10 is starting to shake out. 

Nic Wise scored 30 points, including the final seven, as Arizona topped Cal on Sunday to take over first place in the Pac-10. It’s the first time the Wildcats have been in first place this late since they won the title in 2005.

If the NCAA tournament were filled today, Cal and Arizona would seem to be the only deserving Pac-10 teams.

The conference still might get four teams into the NCAA tournament, but a couple have some ground to make up.

Arizona State and UCLA, which both started slowly, have rallied to stay in chase position behind Arizona and Cal. The Sun Devils have won five of seven – their two losses coming against Arizona and Cal. They look like a strong candidate for a third NCAA berth, if the Pac-10 gets one.

The Bruins have won three of four, but they have a tough finish, with a game against Cal this weekend and five of their final seven games on the road.

If the Huskies hadn’t lost all four Pac-10 road games, they’d be sitting better than 4-5. As it is, they have some catching up to do if they are going to have a chance to make the tournament without winning the conference tourney.

Washington State, Oregon and Stanford all are 4-5, too, but they are a combined 2-10 against Cal, Arizona, ASU and Washington. The Cougs, Ducks and Cardinal don’t have the ability to overtake the top four, and that should become apparent over the final four weeks.

GAME OF THE WEEK
Arizona at Washington, 7:30 p.m. (FSN)
The Huskies were blown out by 17 points at Arizona in Week 2, but they have been winning handily at home. They know they cannot afford to lose many more. The Wildcats have played well on the road, winning three of their last four. In addition to Wise, the Huskies will have to deal with freshman forward Derrick Williams (16.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg).