Pac-12 Tournament Predictions: Arizona is King of the Hill

Feb 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Andrew Andrews (12) drives past Southern California Trojans guard Julian Jacobs (12)during the game at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

First Four Out

No. 12 USC Trojans: Although they had a lot of young talent coming in, the Trojans were still picked to finish near the bottom of the Pac-12 conference. They made good on those predictions as they lost game after game, and their star point guard, Jordan McLaughlin, for the season in the process.

Although their break neck style of play will be entertaining, the results are almost always the same. Their youth and inexperience will be their demise against Arizona State in the first round.

No. 11 Washington Huskies: What could’ve been for the Huskies. Washington started the year on a tear, winning 11 consecutive games and earning a spot at No. 13 in the AP Poll. Then, it all started falling apart when the team dismissed Robert Upshaw at the beginning of Pac-12 play, and the Huskies were never the same.

Coming into the Pac-12 Tournament, the Huskies have lost 10 of their last twelve games. They got a little momentum going in the tournament after a win against mighty Utah, but their lack of size and depth will doom them quickly in their first against Stanford.

No. 10 Colorado Buffaloes: What the heck happened to Colorado? They had an experienced group of seniors looking to avenge their first round NCAA Tournament loss to Pittsburgh last season. What fans got was a team that struggled to play with one another and find any sort of contribution outside their three best players.

Three of their players make up 62 percent of the teams scoring. Basically they’re the Louisville of the west coast without the stifling defense, which has resulted in consistent losing. They face an Oregon State team that they have already lost to and will cap their disappointing season with a disappointing loss in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament.

No. 9 Washington State: The Washington State Cougars have lived their conference life playing in the danger zone. 12 of their 18 conference games have been decided by nine points of less. Seven of those games resulted in a Washington State victory.

Though they have shown resolve in close games, they don’t have enough talent around Josh Hawkinson and DaVonte Lacy to carry them against a deeper Cal Bear team. Expect an early exit from the cougars this year.

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