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		Notes from Day 2 at the Pac-10 tournament By Morris Phillips March 11, 2010

	The biggest news of Thursday’s quarterfinal round was Arizona State’s loss to Stanford, which once again, imperils the Pac-10’s quest to get more than one NCAA tournament bid. ASU came into the tournament clinging to the bubble, but on the good side, predicted by several outlets to be one of the final invitees to the Big Dance. But the loss puts that in jeopardy. Continuing the theme of recent weeks, teams on the bubble seemed to be playing their way out a lot more often than playing their way in. Memphis’ quarterfinal loss to Houston on Thursday in Conference USA is another example of a bubble team sputtering at the worst time. For ASU, the hope now is that the trend continues. Specifically, they need Illinois to falter in the Big Ten quarters and San Diego State to fall early in the Mountain West tourney. If ASU has played its way out, then maybe others will to. That’s probably the only way they can get back in. Sound confusing? That’s because it is confusing, at least until clarity is provided on Sunday. “We didn’t play our best game. It led to multiple Stanford transition opportunities and it put us behind the eight-ball,” Arizona State Coach Herb Sendek said afterwards. If the Pac-10 named an all-quarterfinal team, the UCLA’s Reeves Nelson would have to be a first-team selection. By returning from his eye injuries, in which he faced the possibility of suffering a detached retina, Nelson sparked the Bruins with his presence and his play. Nelson missed four games—three of which where Bruins’ losses—to play lights out against Arizona, contributing a game-high 19 points, on 8 of 9 shooting, and 11 rebounds. The freshman from Modesto plays like a train wreck with grace, a combination that clearly sets him apart. On Thursday, Nelson took his time, but found his way, and played to the crowd to boot. On a pair of breakaway dunks, Nelson went in two handed with the flying bird finish, followed by winks for the Bruins cheering section and his teammates. Based on the winks, it appears the retinal surgery Nelson had last week was a success.