Busting Brackets
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Pac-12 Basketball Tournament: Washington, Arizona State the favorites

By Zach Loo

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)
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) /
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TUCSON, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 07: Matisse Thybulle #4 of the Washington Huskies puts a three-point shot 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)
TUCSON, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 07: Matisse Thybulle #4 of the Washington Huskies puts a three-point shot 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) /

Key Teams

Team to beat – Washington

The Washington Huskies are clearly the team the beat in the tournament. They finished three games ahead of Arizona State and are 17-3 in their last 20 games. I’m still not huge on what Washington can do in the NCAA tournament but I see them as the winner of the Pac-12 tournament with big performances from Jaylen Nowell and Matisse Thybulle.

Top Contender – Arizona State

Arizona State is my top contender. There is a reason why the Sun Devils did so well early in the season and it’s because the team has potential. Their success starts with their backcourt of Lu Dort and Remy Martin and big man Zylan Cheatham. Arizona State has already beat Washington once but also suffered a near 30 point loss to Oregon less than two weeks ago. This shows how they are up and down as a team but can make a run if hot.

Top Sleeper – Oregon State

Oregon State is my “sleeper” even as a four seed in the Conference Tournament. They are my sleeper because a lot of people are not looking deeper than Washington and Arizona State when picking their potential tournament champion. Expect Tinkle to do everything in his power to try and earn an Automatic Qualifier in his last season at Oregon State.

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