We'll try to throw it all in one big post here:

--- First is my preview story today that takes a look at UW's post-season chances, which most realistically might focus most on the new CBI. I talked with Rick Giles, the president of the group organizing the CBI, and he talked highly of the chances of a team like UW. The tournament isn't being designed as a way to necessarily reward teams with great won-loss records, but to put together as entertaining an interesting a tournament as possible of the teams that are left. So I guess the sense it will consist largely of big-name schools like UW that had a few good wins along the way, but not enough to get in the other tournaments.

--- It's Cal's last home game here today and one columnist wonders if it also might be the last home game for coach Ben Braun. As the story details, Braun has three years left on his contract, but is also now looking at possibly his fourth year out of five without an NCAA tourney bid, and maybe no post-season at all.

--- The San Francisco Chronicle looks at the last game for seniors DeVon Hardin and Eric Vierneisel.

--- Here's another story on Hardin, who turned away thoughts of the NBA for a final season at Cal, a decision that hasn't turned out like he'd hoped.

--- Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News takes Cal today (and he's admittedly a lot braver than I am to attempt to pick all these games against the spread. Maybe next year).

THE PICKS. ...

Speaking of which, here are my picks today:

WASHINGTON AT CAL: The Bears are 2-6 at home in Pac-10 play while the Huskies are a better road team this year than they were last season. Thursday's game indicated UW hasn't packed it in (but that Cal may have), though Husky fans have sadly seen it happen all too often this season that Washington plays well one game and like, uh, heck, the next. Still, we'll jump on the limb and assume they can put two in a row together and beat a Cal team that will be hampered by a less-than-100-percent Patrick Christopher. Also, UW coach Lorenzo Romar promises some different strategies on Ryan Anderson. The Huskies had some success with a different way of defending Brook Lopez the other night, so maybe they'll have some better luck today with Anderson, as well. WASHINGTON 73, CAL 67.

WASHINGTON STATE AT STANFORD: Cougs played one of their best games on Thursday while the Cardinal struggled more than expected against the Huskies. But maybe that was the wakeup call the Cardinal needs to get up for this one, a game Stanford has to win to set up having a chance to move into at least a tie for first place at UCLA Thursday. WSU's defense has been much better of late, but key may be on the other end. Stanford is best in the conference defending the three (32 percent in Pac-10 play) while WSU is second in hitting threes (39.6 percent). Winner of that battle wins this game. STANFORD 67, WSU 61.

USC AT ARIZONA STATE; This looks like a must-win for ASU, which is 7-8 in Pac-10 play and will finish next week on the road at the Oregon schools. USC has won three in a row and coming off a surprisingly easy win at Arizona. This one figures to be closer, but guess here is that the talented Trojans, with Daniel Hackett back in the fold, are hitting their stride and will be too much for ASU today. USC 65, ASU 59.

SEASON RECORD: 58-18.