With Pac-10, watch what you wish for: Other notes

For those clamoring for the Pac-10 to trade the anonymity of Fox Sports Net for the omnipresence of ESPN, Saturday's UCLA-Arizona telecast may seem like the TV equivalent of fool's gold.

Yes, ESPN will throw its multi-platform broadcasting clout behind a Pac-10 matchup for the first time since 1995. No, that doesn't mean fans should expect the network to air Pac-10 basketball with any regularity in the future.

FSN and the Pac-10 have a broadcast partnership in place through 2012, but ESPN purchased the rights to air two high-profile conference games this year: Saturday's contest and next month's USC-Arizona matchup in Tucson. Though ESPN is expected to buy two more Pac-10 games again next year, this doesn't appear to be the precursor to a long-term venture.

"I don't want to throw anyone under the bus, but ESPN doesn't want more than one to two Pac-10 games a year," Fox Sports Net scheduling manager Jeremy Langer said. "It's a tonnage issue for them. They're happy with the games they have."

The common perception is the Pac-10 suffers by not being on ESPN, but the truth is there are pros and cons to aligning with either network.

FSN provides the conference with more money, better timeslots and broadcast crews more familiar with West Coast teams. On the other hand, its regional carriers offer limited, inconsistent national coverage and don't come close to matching ESPN in terms of national exposure.

Even Langer acknowledges the Pac-10 will benefit from ESPN's decision to showcase Saturday's game.

"I hope it's a win-win," he said. "I'm a firm believer that there are benefits to being on FSN and negatives to being on ESPN, but I know the conference appreciates the added exposure."

SIZZLING

-- Drake (18-1)

In a conference typically dominated by the likes of Southern Illinois, Creighton and Wichita State, Drake has emerged as this year's front-runner. The Bulldogs remain the Missouri Valley's only undefeated team nine games into conference play.

-- Connecticut (15-5)

Written off after losses to Notre Dame and Providence earlier this month, Connecticut came back strong the past two weeks. Impressive victories over Marquette, Indiana and Louisville have the Huskies in good shape for an NCAA bid.

--The Calathes brothers

It was a great weekend to be a Calathes. After Pat hit a game-winning three-pointer with 3.9 seconds left Saturday to lead Saint Joseph's past city rival Temple, Nick scored 15 points, grabbed 10 boards and dished out seven assists in Florida's victory over Vanderbilt.

FIZZLING

-- The Pit Crew

As if watching their beloved Ducks get swept at home wasn't tough enough, Oregon students took a lot of flak for their profanity-laden treatment of UCLA's Kevin Love. Oregon athletic director Pat Kilkenny threatened to move the student section farther from the court if such behavior continued.

-- Vanderbilt (17-3)

The Commodores were good enough to win 16 straight games to start the season, so it's hard to understand how they've lost three of four in the mediocre SEC. An 86-64 shellacking at rebuilding Florida on Sunday was particularly disturbing.

-- Ben Braun

Pressure is building on the Cal administration to make Braun's 12th year as Cal's basketball coach his last. Losses in four out of five games have the Bears in ninth place in the Pac-10 and on the outside of the NCAA tournament picture.

QUOTABLE

"I thought there was some really vile, inappropriate, disgusting innuendo."

-- UCLA coach Ben Howland on the Oregon student section's behavior Thursday night Kevin Love's homecoming.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)