Pac-12 Basketball: 10 key questions looming for 2021-22 season

Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman talks with his team during a timeout against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

10 of 11

Oregon Ducks Pac-12 Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. How many teams in the Pac-12 have NCAA Tournament potential?

The NCAA Tournament saw plenty of Pac-12 basketball this past March as five teams heard their names called on Selection Sunday. It was the second-most since seven made the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Three teams made the Elite Eight for the first time since 2001.

While five teams (USC Trojans, Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, Colorado Buffaloes and UCLA Bruins) from Pac-12 basketball made it to last year’s NCAA Tournament, the UCLA Bruins were the last ones standing as an 11-seed in the Final Four before falling to Gonzaga. With the same cast returning, they’ll look to make another deep run. Consider them an early lock.

The Trojans made last year’s Elite Eight and with a bit of shuffling, they should be another lock for this year’s NCAA Tournament. Oregon State was another pleasant surprise in the Big Dance as they made the Elite Eight as a 12-seed. They earned the conference’s automatic bid by winning the conference tournament. With Jarod Lucas, Warith Alitashe and a few newcomers, they should find themselves back in the field of 68.

Oregon and Colorado were the other two squads that made the tournament. If the Ducks newcomers can mesh together, they should be a lock and even the favorite to win the Pac-12.

Colorado will have a young group but considering their ability to have a deep bench, don’t be surprised to find them in an at-large situation again.

That leaves room for the early bubble teams. The Arizona Wildcats had their potential at-large taken a self-imposed postseason ban, so put them on early bubble watch despite roster turnover. The Arizona State Sun Devils should bounce back in 2021-22 as should the Utah Utes as mentioned above, so put both on the bubble as well.

Home/Pac-12