LOS ANGELES – If the preseason predictions come true and Cal is indeed a member of the Pac-12’s top tier, UCLA and Oregon might be in a class by themselves.
Cal was picked to finish fourth in the conference, but the Bruins entered Thursday’s game against the Bears as the No. 4 team in the country.
The gap between the two is wide, evidenced by UCLA’s 81-71 victory over Cal in front of a sellout crowd at Pauley Pavilion.
By halftime, what was billed as a critical matchup for the Bruins felt like most of their games this season.