Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: Updated Bubble Watch and another mailbag

By Lukas Harkins

Feb 4, 2017; Omaha, NE, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Trevon Bluiett (5) and forward RaShid Gaston (35) celebrate the win against the Creighton Bluejays at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Xavier defeated Creighton 82-80. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Omaha, NE, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Trevon Bluiett (5) and forward RaShid Gaston (35) celebrate the win against the Creighton Bluejays at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Xavier defeated Creighton 82-80. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; (l to r): Utah Runnin' Utes forward Jayce Johnson (34) , guard JoJo Zamora (1) , and forward David Collette (13) react in the closing minutes of the game against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half of the game at Maples Pavilion. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Utah Runnin' Utes with a score of 81-75. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; (l to r): Utah Runnin’ Utes forward Jayce Johnson (34) , guard JoJo Zamora (1) , and forward David Collette (13) react in the closing minutes of the game against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half of the game at Maples Pavilion. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the Utah Runnin’ Utes with a score of 81-75. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Pac-12

Lead-Pipe Lock: Arizona, Oregon, UCLA

Some Perspiration: USC

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: California, Utah

USC Trojans, 20-4 (7-4): After falling to 3-4 in conference play at one point this year, USC has won four consecutive games, including back-to-back wins over the state of Washington (UW and Washington State). As a single digit seed (seven), USC is in a rather stable position in terms of making the Big Dance. If the Trojans just make sure to win the games they are supposed to, then they will be just fine.

Quality wins: vs. SMU, vs. UCLA

Bad losses: None.

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

Up next: vs. Oregon State (2/9), vs. Oregon (2/11)

California Golden Bears, 17-6 (8-3): After losing to Oregon a couple of weeks ago, Cal has won four straight games, including a double-OT win over Utah. California is currently the fourth-to-last team in the tournament, but with opportunities to play Arizona and Oregon down the stretch, things aren’t going to get much easier for the Golden Bears.

Quality wins: @ USC, vs. Utah

Bad losses: @ San Diego State

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

Up next: @ Arizona State (2/8), @ Arizona (2/11)

Utah Utes, 15-8 (6-5): Taking the double-OT loss to California was an absolute crusher, but it does not take the Utes completely out of contention — neither does their loss to Stanford. It was a very rough week for bubble teams, and that definitely included Utah. Their road game with Oregon coming up could easily be a must-win, but there are still two games separating Utah right now and that date with the Ducks.

Quality wins: vs. USC

Bad losses: vs. San Francisco, @ Stanford

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

Up next: vs. Washington State (2/9), vs. Washington (2/11)

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