Bracketology: The fun of college hoops and the Bubble Watch

Jan 10, 2017; College Park, MD, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) reacts after missing a potential game timing shot as time expires in second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Maryland Terrapins defeated Indiana Hoosiers 75-72. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 17, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) reacts after he leaves the game against the Cal Poly Mustangs in the second period at Haas Pavilion. Cal won 81-55. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Pac-12

Lead-Pipe Lock:

Some Perspiration: UCLA, Oregon, Arizona, USC

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: California

Must Read: Arizona wins 8th straight and 3rd straight in Pac-12

UCLA Bruins, 16-1 (3-1): UCLA is an excellent program having an excellent season. If it wasn’t for a Dillon Brooks’ three-pointer at the buzzer, the Bruins would still be undefeated with a plethora of great wins. They are currently a two-seed in the bracket, but that just means there is room to move up, especially with two somewhat difficult road games approaching.

Quality wins: @ Kentucky, vs. Texas A&M, vs. Michigan, vs. Ohio State

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: @ Oregon

Up next: @ Colorado (1/12), @ Utah (1/14)

Oregon Ducks, 15-2 (4-0): Undefeated in conference play with wins over two undefeated teams at the time? I think that’s a pretty good start for the Ducks. And, with a healthy Brooks (even if he is kicking people) makes them the dangerous team that many saw coming when the season began.

Quality wins: vs. UCLA, vs. USC

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: @ Baylor, vs. Georgetown

Up next: vs. Oregon State (1/14), vs. California (1/19)

Arizona Wildcats, 15-2 (4-0): The combined records of the two teams that Arizona lost to this season is 29-2. Arizona might not bring the highflying, high-scoring attitude that much of the Pac-12 possesses, but they’re a team that nobody wants to face. The Wildcats are ranked 12th in the nation in points allowed, and their twin towers in the paint make it virtually impossible for opponents to score down low.

Quality wins: vs. Texas A&M, vs. Michigan State

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: vs. Gonzaga, vs. Butler

Up next: vs. Arizona State (1/12), @ USC (1/19)

USC Trojans, 15-2 (2-2): As a seven seed in our most recent bracket, USC is doing just fine. They could, however, use some more big wins, as the Texas A&M victory is starting to look less and less impressive as the year goes on. Surely the 10-game winning streak from SMU is helping their RPI, but wins against the upper tier of the Pac-12 (Oregon, UCLA, Arizona) can go a long ways.

Quality wins: vs. SMU, @ Texas A&M

Bad losses: vs. California

Missed opportunities: @ Oregon

Up next: @ Utah (1/12), @ Colorado (1/15)

California Golden Bears, 11-5 (2-2): Somewhat surprising to see Cal make it on this list, it is very difficult to leave them off. Winning on the road against USC is no easy task, plus four of their five losses are to likely at-large bids. It is hard to argue with that, even if the team has been rather inconsistent to this point.

Quality wins: @ USC

Bad losses: vs. San Diego State

Missed opportunities: vs. Seton Hall, vs. Virginia, vs. Arizona, @ UCLA

Up next: vs. Washington (1/12), vs. Washington State (1/14)

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