ASU lost to USC 59-55. Now they are forced into a sort of college basketball purgatory, and wait for things top play themselves out. They certainly aren't out, but they need help.

First, I'd like to give a few thoughts on the game.

I am not someone who believes that the refs can blow a game. Clearly, ASU's inability to rebound throughout the game and score in the final ten minutes is why they lost. The foul call on Jeff Pendergraph, however, was an abysmal call.

Not only his putback clean, it's a call that should never be made in that situation. Pac10 referees have been inconsistent with their foul calls during crucial situations all season long. It's something that must be addressed in the offseason. If they don't call the foul on Washington State on James Harden at the end of that game, they can't call Pendergraph in that situation. One of those should have gone in the Sun Devils' favor. If it had, they'd be a lock for the tournament right now. This referee inconsistency must be addressed.

If the Devils do make the tournament, some of the players must also begin to step it up. Abbott, McMillan, Glasser, and Shipp were a combined 4 for 23. Either put it in the basket, or shoot it less.

It's over and done with now, so it's time to bubble watch.

Last check we had 7 spots open, for what I considered 15 teams: Arizona State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Villanova, Texas A&M, Arizona, Oregon, Ole Miss, New Mexico, Illinois State, Dayton, St. Joseph's, Temple, and South Alabama. (Now add in Baylor)

Syracuse lost to Villanova, eliminating them from consideration. Baylor lost to Colorado, which likely puts the on the low-end of the bubble, and likely below ASU. Dayton's loss also kicks them out of contention. We can also combine St. Joseph's into one team, because it's nearly impossible for both to grab bids. This opens the bubble up to 8 spots, and lowers the number of teams down to 13 (Baylor is still certainly on the bubble).

Teams on the bubble who are finished: Arizona State, South Alabama, Baylor, Villanova, and Illinois State.

ASU is still in very good position to get one of those eight bids. There's a very good chance Arizona, Oregon, Ohio State, and Virginia Tech all have very good chances to lose their next game as well. It will be close.

What to root for:

Root for anything that will make their big wins bigger. That means root for Xavier and USC to win their conference tournament, and for Stanford to make the final.

Root for bubble teams to lose. Along with the four teams I mentioned earlier, an early loss to Ole Miss, UNLV, or UMass could really help the Sun Devils.

Root for Oregon and UA to lose… BIG. Margin of loss isn't supposed to matter, but if either team embarrasses themselves, it would be hard for the committee to take them over ASU, who finished higher in the conference standings.

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