ARIZONA WIN FITS PERFECTLY TWO ROUTS IN A ROW ALLOWS OLSON TO REST STARTERS FOR FINAL ARIZONA 90, OREGON ST. 59.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

Once upon a time, the Pacific-10 Tournament would wear on Arizona coach Lute Olson like a rumpled oxford. He complained that it fit uncomfortably, wearing his players out, keeping them away from class and failing to serve any good purpose, least of all his own.

This year, it couldn't suit Olson any better.

For the second consecutive day at Staples Center, the regular-season champion Wildcats walloped an overmatched opponent, thrashing Oregon State, 90-59.

The 31-point margin was the most lopsided in the tournament's eight-year history and came one day after they overwhelmed California by 25.

The two big victories have allowed Arizona to arrive in today's championship game against Washington/Stanford with a slim shot at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. More important, it has given reserves valuable experience and his stars useful rest.

``It won't take anything out of us,'' said Olson, who suggested otherwise three years ago when Arizona won a much tougher tournament, then limped through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Oklahoma in the Sweet 16.

Two years ago, Olson groused about having to play in the tournament when his team was ranked No. 1 in the nation, then watched the Wildcats lose in the first round to UCLA. Last season, they beat USC at the buzzer before bowing out to Washington in the semifinals.

This year is different, both in results and approach.

``We needed the games right now,'' Olson said. ``We haven't had to play people for very long periods of time. We've been able to use our bench. I felt coming into the tournament, I was hoping we'd have the opportunity to play three games. I thought that would help us get ready for next week.''

In two games, the Wildcats' three best players - seniors Channing Frye and Salim Stoudamire, and junior Hassan Adams - have averaged just 26 minutes per game, and no Wildcat has played more than 30.

If they're all rested, nobody looks more ready than Frye, the 6-foot-11 senior. He had 17 points, seven rebounds, one block and two steals against Oregon State and has made 17 of 19 shots in two games.

``He's played very well all year,'' Arizona point guard Mustafa Shakur said. ``But this is the time of year you elevate your game another notch.''

The Wildcats (27-5) did the same in the second half. They led at halftime, 40-35, leading most of the way but showing little interest in putting the Beavers (17-14) away.

Arizona picked up its ball pressure and forced turnovers on five consecutive possessions, including three of David Lucas' seven. When Oregon State finally got off a shot on its sixth possession, Frye blocked it. The turnovers sparked run outs for Arizona, which scored the first 12 points of the half.

`It was over,'' Oregon State coach Jay John said. ``That was something that changed the whole game.''

Billy Witz, [phone]

billy.witz(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Arizona's Channing Frye blocks a shot by Oregon State's Sasa Cuic during a Pac-10 Tournament semifinal game Friday.

Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press

Box:

PAC-10 TOURNAMENT