Bracketology: 10 key storylines for Championship Week in 2019

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 27: Mamadi Diakite #25 and the Virginia Cavaliers bench cheers in the second half during a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at John Paul Jones Arena on February 27, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

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TUCSON, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 07: Jaylen Nowell #5 and David Crisp #1 of the Washington Huskies react after scoring against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the NCAAB game at McKale Center on February 07, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. The Huskies defeated the Wildcats 67-60. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

5. Number of bids the Pac-12 will be receiving

It’s been a disappointing season for the Pac-12 overall, with most of the teams severely underperforming throughout the year. It’s been Washington and Arizona State who has been carrying the banner for the league in terms of at-large candidates but both have suffered losses that have been nearly fatal.

Right now, the Huskies (10 seed) and Sun Devils (Last 4 In) are still projected in the Big Dance but can’t afford a bad loss. In fact, Arizona State will have to reach the semis and maybe even the finals to still have at-large hope. Washington should just need one win in the Pac-12 Tournament should feel safe.

That won’t be easy based on possible matchups. Washington will face either USC and Arizona in the quarterfinals, with both having the talent to pull off an upset. Same goes for the No. 2 seed Sun Devils, who’ll have to deal with either UCLA or Stanford first before potentially Oregon or Utah.

For bubble teams elsewhere, they’ll all be rooting for Washington to handle business and take the automatic bid. Not only would that take away from potential spoilers like Oregon and USC but they could knock Arizona State out of the last at-large spots.

There might not be Final Four contenders in this event but there are still plenty of consequences Bracketology-wise.

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