The Pac-12 conference has been all over the place this year. No team has established itself as a clear
leader, and no team is safe for the NCAA Tournament.
Because of that, there will be a lot on the line for the top five or six schools, who are all likely on the
bubble. Some may call that mediocrity, but it actually points to what will be an evenly-matched, exciting
tournament.
Here’s a quick preview and prediction for each team.
NO SHOT
USC Trojans
USC has seen better years. The Trojans sit at 1-17 in the conference and 6-25 overall, but it’s not
necessarily because of a lack of talent. They have lost five players to season-ending injuries and as a
result are only able to roll out six scholarship players. The Trojans wouldn’t beat many mid-major teams
with this squad.
Prediction: Lose to UCLA in Round 1
Utah Utes
The Utes were already having a rough initiation into the Pac-12, but then things got even worse back in
January when leading scorer and assister Josh Watkins was dismissed from the team. After his dismissal,
the Utes lost 11 of their last 13 games, including a 94-48 drubbing by Oregon to end the season. Utah
enters the Pac-12 tourney at 6-24 and 3-15 in the conference. The Utes have the ability to slow the
tempo which could allow for an upset, but winning four games in four days is out of the question.
Prediction: Lose to Colorado in Round 1
Arizona State Sun Devils
The Sun Devils enter the tournament on a positive note, as they beat both USC and Arizona to turn
around a previous four-game losing streak, but they are too lacking in the talent department to make
much noise in Los Angeles. Their 6-12 conference record and 10-20 overall record further prove that.
Prediction: Lose to Stanford in Round 1
Washington State Cougars
If the Cougs are going to make any noise in the Pac-12 tourney, they will need to ride on the back of
junior Brock Motum, who is averaging 18.1 points per game and should be an all-conference selection.
Unfortunately, the loss of Faisel Aden, WSU’s second-leading scorer, has hurt the Cougs’ ability to score
the ball consistently, as evidenced by their ugly 43-38 win over USC to close out the season. WSU has
failed to win more than two games in row all season in conference, so it’s tough to believe the struggling
Cougs will be able to win four straight.
Prediction: Lose to Oregon State in Round 1
SLEEPERS
Oregon State Beavers
The Beavers are just 7-11 in the conference, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Five of their losses
have come by five points or less, so they could just as easily be 11-7. There is more talent on this team
than there is on teams above it in the standings. Jared Cunningham can score 30 points on any given
night, Devon Collier is a terrific athlete and Joe Burton is an underrated big man. Throw in Ahmad Starks,
who has the ability to light it up from deep, and the Beavers can score in a hurry. They proved that when
they dropped 100 in a win against Texas earlier in the season. OSU is starting to put things together at
the right time, as evidenced by its 14-point win over Colorado to end the year.
Prediction: Beat WSU, Lose to Washington in quarterfinals
Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffaloes knocked off Cal back on February 26 and looked a lot like an NCAA-Tournament team, but
ending the season with losses at Oregon and Oregon State really set them back. Now the Buffaloes have
to play on Day 1, which really decreases their odds of winning the tourney. Still, Colorado has shown it
can play with any team in this league. They’ve beat Washington, Cal and Oregon, the top three teams in
the conference, so anything is possible for CU.
Prediction: Beat Utah, Lose to Oregon in quarterfinals
TOO INCONSISTENT
UCLA Bruins
UCLA entered the year as a favorite in the Pac-12, but turmoil within the team has led to a disappointing
season. Most importantly, Reeves Nelson was booted off the squad. Still, the Bruins possess a lot of
talent with guys like Lazeric Jones, Travis Wear, David Wear, Joshua Smith, Tyler Lamb and Jerime
Anderson. If UCLA constantly plays like it did against Washington last Saturday, it has a real shot of
winning this tournament. However, you never know if the Bruins will fully show up. They’ve failed to win
more than three games in a row in conference and most of their losses have come against the top teams
in the conference. Also, don’t overlook the fact the Bruins will have home-crowd advantage.
Prediction: Beat USC, Lose to Arizona in quarterfinals
Stanford Cardinal
With a nice win over Cal to end the season, Stanford proved that it was a contender in this conference.
The Cardinal just don’t have enough consistent scorers to win the tournament. Chasson Randle is a good
player, but Josh Owens disappeared against Cal and Andrew Zimmermann, who averages 3.5 points per
game, had to step up. They can’t expect that to happen every game and Cal will get revenge on a neutral
court.
Prediction: Beat Arizona State, Lose to California in quarterfinals
CONTENDERS
Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats were everyone’s preseason favorite in this conference, but they haven’t quite lived up
to expectations, as evidenced by their fourth-place finish. Nonetheless, the talented ‘Cats won seven
of their last nine games and appear to be on the right track. They lost to Arizona State to close out
the season, which is a terrible loss, but this team has too much talent to ignore. Kyle Fogg, Jesse Perry
and Solomon Hill serve as the veteran leaders, while Nick Johnson and Josiah Turner are establishing
themselves as rising stars in the Pac. If this team plays to its full potential, a championship appearance is
very possible, but they’ll run into Washington, who has had their number this year.
Prediction: Beat UCLA, Lose to Washington in semifinals
California Golden Bears
Cal really blew its chance at a Pac-12 title when it lost to Colorado and Stanford to end the season, but
the Bears were the team to beat in this conference for most of the season. Allen Crabbe is one of the
best scorers in the league and Jorge Gutierrez is a Pac-12 POY candidate. Throw in big men Harper Kamp
and David Kravish, and this is a very strong team. You can’t ignore the Bears’ shaky play as of late, but
the No. 2 seed is obviously a team to watch out for.
Prediction: Beat Stanford, Lose to Oregon in semifinals
Oregon Ducks
No one expected the Ducks to finish third in the conference, but they have themselves right on the
brink of the NCAA bubble and will need a strong performance in the Pac-12 Tournament. Led by E.J
Singler and transfer Devoe Joseph, the Ducks have rolled through the conference. They are 11-3 in
their last 14 games, including a blow-out win over Washington. Their only losses have come against Cal,
Colorado and Oregon State by a combined nine points. They might not be as talented as an Arizona or
a Washington, but the Ducks are playing better than anyone right now. They are the most dangerous
team in the conference.
Prediction: Beat Colorado, Beat Cal, Lose to Washington in final
Washington Huskies
Some say the Huskies backed into the conference title, but in reality they went 11-2 after their loss to
Cal. That is an impressive run no matter how weak or strong a conference is. Washington has arguably
the two most talented conference players in Tony Wroten and Terrence Ross, and as long as those two
play with aggression the Huskies will be fine. Nonetheless, Washington is inconsistent just like every
other team in this conference and can play down to competition at times. When it comes down to it,
however, you can’t bet against head coach Lorenzo Romar, who has led his team to a conference title
the last two seasons. His Washington teams seem to thrive in conference play, and when this team has
something to “get up” for, they are easily the best team in the conference.
Prediction: Beat Oregon State, Beat Arizona, Beat Oregon in final
leader, and no team is safe for the NCAA Tournament.
Because of that, there will be a lot on the line for the top five or six schools, who are all likely on the
bubble. Some may call that mediocrity, but it actually points to what will be an evenly-matched, exciting
tournament.
Here’s a quick preview and prediction for each team.
NO SHOT
USC Trojans
USC has seen better years. The Trojans sit at 1-17 in the conference and 6-25 overall, but it’s not
necessarily because of a lack of talent. They have lost five players to season-ending injuries and as a
result are only able to roll out six scholarship players. The Trojans wouldn’t beat many mid-major teams
with this squad.
Prediction: Lose to UCLA in Round 1
Utah Utes
The Utes were already having a rough initiation into the Pac-12, but then things got even worse back in
January when leading scorer and assister Josh Watkins was dismissed from the team. After his dismissal,
the Utes lost 11 of their last 13 games, including a 94-48 drubbing by Oregon to end the season. Utah
enters the Pac-12 tourney at 6-24 and 3-15 in the conference. The Utes have the ability to slow the
tempo which could allow for an upset, but winning four games in four days is out of the question.
Prediction: Lose to Colorado in Round 1
Arizona State Sun Devils
The Sun Devils enter the tournament on a positive note, as they beat both USC and Arizona to turn
around a previous four-game losing streak, but they are too lacking in the talent department to make
much noise in Los Angeles. Their 6-12 conference record and 10-20 overall record further prove that.
Prediction: Lose to Stanford in Round 1
Washington State Cougars
If the Cougs are going to make any noise in the Pac-12 tourney, they will need to ride on the back of
junior Brock Motum, who is averaging 18.1 points per game and should be an all-conference selection.
Unfortunately, the loss of Faisel Aden, WSU’s second-leading scorer, has hurt the Cougs’ ability to score
the ball consistently, as evidenced by their ugly 43-38 win over USC to close out the season. WSU has
failed to win more than two games in row all season in conference, so it’s tough to believe the struggling
Cougs will be able to win four straight.
Prediction: Lose to Oregon State in Round 1
SLEEPERS
Oregon State Beavers
The Beavers are just 7-11 in the conference, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Five of their losses
have come by five points or less, so they could just as easily be 11-7. There is more talent on this team
than there is on teams above it in the standings. Jared Cunningham can score 30 points on any given
night, Devon Collier is a terrific athlete and Joe Burton is an underrated big man. Throw in Ahmad Starks,
who has the ability to light it up from deep, and the Beavers can score in a hurry. They proved that when
they dropped 100 in a win against Texas earlier in the season. OSU is starting to put things together at
the right time, as evidenced by its 14-point win over Colorado to end the year.
Prediction: Beat WSU, Lose to Washington in quarterfinals
Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffaloes knocked off Cal back on February 26 and looked a lot like an NCAA-Tournament team, but
ending the season with losses at Oregon and Oregon State really set them back. Now the Buffaloes have
to play on Day 1, which really decreases their odds of winning the tourney. Still, Colorado has shown it
can play with any team in this league. They’ve beat Washington, Cal and Oregon, the top three teams in
the conference, so anything is possible for CU.
Prediction: Beat Utah, Lose to Oregon in quarterfinals
TOO INCONSISTENT
UCLA Bruins
UCLA entered the year as a favorite in the Pac-12, but turmoil within the team has led to a disappointing
season. Most importantly, Reeves Nelson was booted off the squad. Still, the Bruins possess a lot of
talent with guys like Lazeric Jones, Travis Wear, David Wear, Joshua Smith, Tyler Lamb and Jerime
Anderson. If UCLA constantly plays like it did against Washington last Saturday, it has a real shot of
winning this tournament. However, you never know if the Bruins will fully show up. They’ve failed to win
more than three games in a row in conference and most of their losses have come against the top teams
in the conference. Also, don’t overlook the fact the Bruins will have home-crowd advantage.
Prediction: Beat USC, Lose to Arizona in quarterfinals
Stanford Cardinal
With a nice win over Cal to end the season, Stanford proved that it was a contender in this conference.
The Cardinal just don’t have enough consistent scorers to win the tournament. Chasson Randle is a good
player, but Josh Owens disappeared against Cal and Andrew Zimmermann, who averages 3.5 points per
game, had to step up. They can’t expect that to happen every game and Cal will get revenge on a neutral
court.
Prediction: Beat Arizona State, Lose to California in quarterfinals
CONTENDERS
Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats were everyone’s preseason favorite in this conference, but they haven’t quite lived up
to expectations, as evidenced by their fourth-place finish. Nonetheless, the talented ‘Cats won seven
of their last nine games and appear to be on the right track. They lost to Arizona State to close out
the season, which is a terrible loss, but this team has too much talent to ignore. Kyle Fogg, Jesse Perry
and Solomon Hill serve as the veteran leaders, while Nick Johnson and Josiah Turner are establishing
themselves as rising stars in the Pac. If this team plays to its full potential, a championship appearance is
very possible, but they’ll run into Washington, who has had their number this year.
Prediction: Beat UCLA, Lose to Washington in semifinals
California Golden Bears
Cal really blew its chance at a Pac-12 title when it lost to Colorado and Stanford to end the season, but
the Bears were the team to beat in this conference for most of the season. Allen Crabbe is one of the
best scorers in the league and Jorge Gutierrez is a Pac-12 POY candidate. Throw in big men Harper Kamp
and David Kravish, and this is a very strong team. You can’t ignore the Bears’ shaky play as of late, but
the No. 2 seed is obviously a team to watch out for.
Prediction: Beat Stanford, Lose to Oregon in semifinals
Oregon Ducks
No one expected the Ducks to finish third in the conference, but they have themselves right on the
brink of the NCAA bubble and will need a strong performance in the Pac-12 Tournament. Led by E.J
Singler and transfer Devoe Joseph, the Ducks have rolled through the conference. They are 11-3 in
their last 14 games, including a blow-out win over Washington. Their only losses have come against Cal,
Colorado and Oregon State by a combined nine points. They might not be as talented as an Arizona or
a Washington, but the Ducks are playing better than anyone right now. They are the most dangerous
team in the conference.
Prediction: Beat Colorado, Beat Cal, Lose to Washington in final
Washington Huskies
Some say the Huskies backed into the conference title, but in reality they went 11-2 after their loss to
Cal. That is an impressive run no matter how weak or strong a conference is. Washington has arguably
the two most talented conference players in Tony Wroten and Terrence Ross, and as long as those two
play with aggression the Huskies will be fine. Nonetheless, Washington is inconsistent just like every
other team in this conference and can play down to competition at times. When it comes down to it,
however, you can’t bet against head coach Lorenzo Romar, who has led his team to a conference title
the last two seasons. His Washington teams seem to thrive in conference play, and when this team has
something to “get up” for, they are easily the best team in the conference.
Prediction: Beat Oregon State, Beat Arizona, Beat Oregon in final
