Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: Bubble Watch and a mailbag full of questions

By Lukas Harkins

Dec 22, 2016; Wichita, KS, USA; The Wichita State Shockers bench reacts after a score against South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Wichita State won 89-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Wichita, KS, USA; The Wichita State Shockers bench reacts after a score against South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Wichita State won 89-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Utah Utes guard Lorenzo Bonam (15) tries to dribble past Washington Huskies forward Noah Dickerson (15) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Utah won 94-72. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Utah Utes guard Lorenzo Bonam (15) tries to dribble past Washington Huskies forward Noah Dickerson (15) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Utah won 94-72. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Pac-12

Lead-Pipe Lock: UCLA, Oregon, Arizona

Some Perspiration: USC

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: California, Utah

USC Trojans, 17-4 (4-4): Looking at what USC is missing, it is clearly their lack of quality wins. Their record looks shiny and nice, but if their best win at season’s end is SMU, they won’t get a very high seed. A seven seed in our most recent Bracketology, USC continues to stagnant in their seeding. With UCLA coming to town, a huge opportunity has arrived for the Trojans.

Quality wins: vs. SMU

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. Arizona, @ Oregon, vs. California, @ Utah

Up next: vs. UCLA (1/25), @ Washington (2/1)

California Golden Bears, 14-6 (5-3): With their season so far, Cal could write a book on how to be on the bubble. Ingredients include, one quality road win, one tough loss, and several missed opportunities. As the first team out of the bracket on Monday, the Golden Bears are very close to making their way in. Each of their next four games (three at home) are very winnable and going 4-0 would be a huge for their resume, even if they don’t add many quality wins.

Quality wins: @ USC

Bad losses: @ San Diego State

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

Up next: vs. Stanford (1/29), vs. Utah (2/2)

Utah Utes, 14-5 (5-2): At 5-2 in conference, Utah has been a bit of a surprise out of the Pac-12 so far. The Oregon teams take a tour into Salt Lake City next week, which isn’t easy, but their schedule for the rest of the season is pretty friendly. The Utes get Oregon twice and Cal twice, but those are the only possible tournament-bound teams they are left to play.

Quality wins: vs. USC

Bad losses: vs. San Francisco

Missed opportunities: vs. Butler, @ Xavier, @ Arizona, vs. UCLA

Up next: vs. Oregon (1/26), vs. Oregon State (1/28)

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