USC's decision to sit out the coming Pac-10 tournament in reaction to the O.J. Mayo recruiting irregularities has forced the league to alter its recent 10-team format for its tournament this March at Staples Center in LA.

Here's the new look, which basically just drops on of the usual two-first round games:

Wed., Mar. 10 No. 8 vs. No. 9, TBDThur., Mar. 11 No. 4 vs. No. 5, 12 noonNo. 8/9 winner vs. No. 1, 2:30 p.m.No. 3 vs. No. 6, 6 p.m.No. 7 vs. No. 2, 8:30 p.m.Fri., Mar. 12 Semifinal 1, 6 p.m.Semifinal 2, 8:30 p.m.Sat., Mar. 13 Championship, 3:15 p.m.

Speaking to the media this morning, coach Kevin O'Neill agreed with a questioner that it is unfair that it's the folks who did nothing wrong who are taking the punishment.

"It's not fair," he said. "But when you think about it, life isn't fair. You just have to deal with whatever you're dealt."

That said, he stressed that he hopes it won't "affect play at all. Not doing our job would be the worst thing in this situation."