Jeff Agase OK, one sob story. Agase had
no computer and had to dictate this entire column over his cell
phone. E-mail Agase at agase@ucla.edu.
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Ten hours of basketball.
Prior to yesterday’s Pac-10 Tournament, I didn’t
think I could do anything for 10 hours.
Sleep? Ever since my friend down the hall told me that an
intruder taped his American flag to him while he was sleeping, I
haven’t been able to get much shut-eye.
Drinking? Nope ““ believe me, I’ve tried. I’ve
fallen flat on my face well before 10 hours.
Studying? I won’t even dignify that with a sarcastic
comment.
I’ll spare you my usual sob story about how, as a lowly
Daily Bruin columnist, I don’t get any respect (or press
passes) at games away from Pauley Pavilion.
Let’s just say that without grovelling at all, I managed
to land free tickets for the weekend from the beneficent Mr. and
Mrs. P, whose last name will remain in secrecy so as to protect
them from ravenous ticket-seeking college students.
Given the exorbitant ticket prices that drove most of us
students (including myself) out of purchasing range, I stuck out in
my raggedy T-shirt like a compliment for Steve Lavin.
It’s really a shame that the sky-high ticket prices
prevented more dedicated UCLA student fans from making it out to
the first day of the tournament.
The amalgamation of blues, reds, greens, purples and even
mustard yellows ““ the war paint of eight different sets of
fans all mixed in one surprisingly cozy arena atmosphere ““
makes it a day unlike any other in sports.
It also makes you wonder why the Pac-10 had neglected it for
more than 10 years. Four games, 10 hours. For those of you unable
to be here, recounting my day at the Pac-10 Tournament in the next
best thing.
Hour 1: Washington vs. Oregon.
Before the game, I boldly (read: stupidly) declare to all those
in earshot of Section 217 at Staples Center that Washington will
win the game.
Both schools brought their bands, which can’t seem to take
turns (sounds like Smashmouth and Fine Young Cannibals playing at
the same time).
Most importantly to me, Oregon brought its cheerleaders. Hello,
ladies!
Hour 2: As Oregon starts to pull away, you can still appreciate
the fact that this tournament allows UW’s cheer squad to make
one last trip to end the season. Too bad their cards spell out
“U-S-I-K-E-H.”
Time to end the season.
Hour 3: USC vs. Stanford.
Picking a team to root for in this game is like deciding
you’d rather contract malaria and smallpox. I’ll take
smallpox, er, Stanford.
Hour 4: Apparently Captain Anti-fun Mike Montgomery, who said he
didn’t want his Stanford team to play in this tournament,
forgot to tell his players to show up anyway. Adding insult to
injury was the scoreboard, which called them the CardinalS.
Hour 5: USC looks scary, and I should really try to stand up.
Ow, I think I have a hip pointer. Hello, worker’s comp from
the Daily Bruin.
Hour 6: Dinner with Daily Bruin basketball writer Dylan
Hernandez. As you might expect, uneventful.
Hour 7: Arizona State vs. Arizona. The tournament gives these
two nemeses a chance to break a season split. The beauty of this
thing is that only one will leave with season bragging rights.
Pretty cool. This gaudy halfcourt logo could go.
Hour 8: I see a gloomy Stanford fan trying to sell her tickets
for the rest of the tournament. Priceless.
Hour 9: UCLA vs. Cal.
Woohoo! Time to watch the best darn 19-10 team in all the
land!
Um, somebody hit the snooze button tonight? I know it’s
late guys, but I’ve been here for nine hours now, and
I’m fighting through it. Wake up!
Hour 10: Either (a) I have lost all sense of time, (b) that was
a really fast first half or (c) I have lost all sense of time.
As the bittersweet day spilled into an unexpected 11th hour, and
Cal beat UCLA in what turned out to be the only close game of the
day, I couldn’t help but think about Arizona coach Lute
Olson’s remarks regarding the tournament.
He said it was “asinine” that the teams of the
Pac-10 have to play a tournament before the NCAA Tournament.
What’s more asinine, that Olson’s team might have to
play an extra few games, or that this great spectacle was missing
for the last 12 years?
I’ve got almost 11 great hours that make the answer an
easy one.