BearTalk

Coach Mike Montgomery said today that sophomore center Max Zhang has resumed practicing and could play in this week’s Pac-10 tournament. Sophomore guard Jorge Gutierrez did little during a light workout Monday after spraining his ankle Saturday at Stanford and is day-to-day, Montgomery said.

Zhang missed the past three games after suffering a collapsed lung in practice two weeks ago.

“We didn’t practice much (Monday), but we did some individual work with Max, just trying to get him comfortable with contact, so it’s a work in progress,” Montgomery said. “He should be available this week.

“Jorge did not practice, spent time on the bike, and I’d say he would be day-to-day.”

Center Markhuri Sanders-Frison, who had struggled off-and-on with a sore back, is coming off a strong performance at Stanford.

“I felt like he had a little more energy Saturday,” Montgomery said. “But he’s probably one bad twist away from coming out.”

Top-seeded Cal plays Thursday at 2:40 p.m. at the Staples Center in Los Angeles against the winner of Wedneday night’s “play-in” game between Oregon and Washington State.