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Pac-12 Basketball: 2018 Conference Tournament Preview

By Connor Hope

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Elijah Stewart
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Elijah Stewart /
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Bracketology Part II: Work to Do in Pac-12 Tournament

Utah

The Utah Utes have been one of the most under-the-radar teams on the bubble this season. They had a relatively quiet non-conference, with their best win being a home victory over Missouri (a Quadrant II win). If they make the Pac-12 Championship by beating USC, they will have earned one more Quadrant I victory, and should be on the right side of the bubble. For now, Utah is in the First Four Out on the Busting Brackets Bracketology.

Arizona State

Arizona State has an opposite problem from the rest of the teams on this list. The Sun Devils’ strong non-conference performance has them in good position to secure an at-large bid, despite an incredibly underwhelming Pac-12 record. Bobby Hurley’s squad is not out of the woods yet, as a loss to Colorado will more than likely push them off the bubble. For now, Arizona State is in a First Four game for a 12-seed on the Busting Brackets Bracketology.

UCLA

A marquee win over Kentucky and third place finish in the Pac-12 have UCLA currently on the right side of the bubble, but if they do not take care of business in the Pac-12 Tournament that situation could change. At a minimum, the Bruins must beat Stanford or Cal and hope Arizona makes it to the Semifinals. If UCLA loses in the Quarterfinals, or to Colorado or Arizona State in the Semifinals, their at-large chances will become a lot slimmer. For now, UCLA is in a First Four game for an 11-seed on the Busting Brackets Bracketology.

USC

USC is a team that, considering a second place finish in the Pac-12 and two non-conference Quadrant I victories, may not seem like a bubble team. However, a glaring home loss to Princeton is a smear on their resume that cannot be ignored. Assuming USC beats the winner of Washington and Oregon State, they will probably secure an at-large. Beating either Oregon or Utah in the Semifinals would more than likely guarantee it. For now, USC is an 11-seed on the Busting Brackets Bracketology.

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