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Pac-12 Basketball: 2022 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

By Tuck Clarry

Mar 3, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) reacts after a dunk during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats center Christian Koloko (35) reacts after a dunk during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pac-12 Basketball UCLA Bruins guard Jake Kyman Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Pac-12 Basketball UCLA Bruins guard Jake Kyman Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Pac-12 Bracketology

The suspense leading to Selection Sunday might be the lowest the Conference of Champions has ever experienced. We know who’s in with Arizona, UCLA, and USC. We also know that nobody else is close to earning an at-large bid. And that’s not going to change if a fourth team gets hot and ends up going all the way to the conference championship and losing a nailbiter.

It’s going to take a bid-stealing championship win, which frankly just seems like too big of an ask for even a decent Washington State that has only strung together four-plus straight wins twice this season. Maybe they can be the dark horse team in the tournament that they were supposed to be in the regular season but we haven’t seen that potential consistently all year.

While the drama won’t be there for big dance tickets, the three teams are still fighting for seeding. Arizona has a chance to lock up a one seed if they’re able to get it done in Las Vegas. Lloyd knows as well as anyone the stark difference in ease of path for a one seed versus a two seed from his time with the Zags. With a little bit of help from some Big 12 teams, the Wildcats might even nab the South region’s one seed from Baylor which would keep them closer to home in San Antonio.

The Bruins seem solidly on the four-seed line as of now but could elevate to a three-seed if they win it all in Vegas and the teams ahead of them lose early in their conference tournaments. It’s entirely plausible considering the parity in other leagues compared to the Pac-12. And as long as the Bruins are making shots, they warrant consideration as one of the 12 best teams in the country. They just need to go out there and prove it.

Lastly, the Trojans could pop up a line or two if they are able to win in Saturday’s championship. USC will need to likely take down UCLA and Arizona to do it, which means beating two top 15 teams. They have inconsistent teams like LSU and Alabama ahead of them, making the goal attainable.

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