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Date Posted: 09:50:17 02/25/02 Mon
Author: Jon Ralston
Subject: Bob Highfill Article

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Originally Published Monday, February 25, 2002
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Expect a wild run to Big West tourney

By Bob Highfill

Record Staff Writer

It's possible the University of the Pacific men's basketball team could take a No. 3 seed with it to the Big West Tournament.

The Tigers need to win their last two games of the regular season this week, then receive some help to make it happen. Third place isn't what the Tigers hoped for at the start of the season, but it's a lot better than what seemed probable just a week ago, when they were tied for fifth.

But faster than you can say, "Basket by Mike Hahn," the Tigers find themselves tied for third place with UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Northridge, with Cal Poly and Long Beach State close behind.

The wild, wild (Big) West is in its final week with the top seven seeds up for grabs. UC Irvine and Utah State, which will play the Tigers on Thursday at Spanos Center, have clinched the top two, though the order isn't set, while the next five are anyone's guess.

Hahn said he believes the Tigers set themselves up for a strong finish with wins at Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside last week.

"Obviously, it feels real good," said Hahn, who made 10-of-11 shots from the floor and 4-of-5 from the line for a career-high 24 points against UC Riverside on Saturday. "We wanted to prove to ourselves we could win on the road, and we did a lot of good things."

A lot of good things have to happen this week for the Tigers to finish third.

First, they have to beat the conference-leading Aggies on Thursday, something they haven't done since the 1998-99 season, then eighth-place Idaho on Sunday at Spanos Center.

Cal State Northridge will play the same teams at home in reverse order, Idaho on Thursday and Utah State on Saturday. UC Santa Barbara has an "easier" schedule with home games against Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside, the two teams that won't participate in the tournament.

Cal Poly is a game out of third and has UC Riverside and Cal State Fullerton coming to San Luis Obispo this week, and Long Beach State, which is 11/2 games out of third, will finish at home with UC Irvine on Saturday.

Should Pacific and UC Santa Barbara run the table and finish tied for third, the Tigers would earn the No. 3 seed by virtue of its win over Utah State. If Pacific and Cal State Northridge end up tied, the conference by-laws might come into play because both teams would have 1-1 records against Utah State and UC Irvine. If Pacific, Cal State Northridge and UC Santa Barbara falter, Cal Poly or Long Beach State could sneak in there.

Last season, seeding didn't mean a lot, as Pacific finished fifth and reached the championship game against Utah State. Pacific coach Bob Thomason is confident his team can find its way there again, regardless of its seeding.

Said Thomason: "I think on a neutral court, our kids will be fine."

* To reach reporter Bob Highfill, phone 546-8299 or e-mail bhighfil@recordnet.com

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