Barack Obama may be right if Cal loses

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Here is a game that the Pac-10 needs to win, this No. 7 seed California against No. 10 Maryland. If you’re California Coach Mike Montgomery and you couldn’t find time to talk to ESPN’s Andy Katz when Katz was trying to speak to each of the 65 coaches who had made the NCAA tournament, and when the nation’s president, Barack Obama, picked against five of the six Pac-10 teams in the first round, and when you’re the first of those teams up on the schedule -- come on Bears, represent a little better.

California is trailing 34-31 at halftime and every time I look up Cal is missing a layup or a tip-in or a wide-open three-pointer. Maryland shot 33% from the field in the first half.

If the Bears lose this, will it start a domino effect for the unloved conference?

-- Diane Pucin