Pac-12 basketball: 2024 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

Semifinals:

4) Oregon vs 1) Arizona

The Wildcats took both regular season matchups, the second by 20 points. In both matchups, the Ducks allowed Arizona to record its two-best three-point shooting games of the season. Arizona averaged 12 made threes against Oregon, hitting 54.5 percent from deep. Oregon has been inconsistent on offense down the stretch, from scoring 83 in a loss to Arizona to scoring 66 in a win over Utah. A steady offense is needed to take down Arizona. I don’t think Oregon has that offense.

Prediction: Arizona wins

3) Colorado vs 2) Washington State

This would be the third matchup between these two teams this season, with the home team winning the first two. WSU kept Colorado’s offense at bay in both matchups, holding the Buffaloes to under 75 points in each game. Washington State averages nearly 75 points per game, which is good enough offensively to hang around, and its defense is more than good enough to slow down Colorado. I don't know if Colorado can get the stops needed to advance to the conference final.

Prediction: Washington State wins

Finals:

2) Washington State vs 1) Arizona

It's worth repeating that Washington State is the only team to beat Arizona twice this season. In both games, the Cougars limited what the Wildcats could do on offense, especially from three. It wasn’t that WSU did anything special on offense, its defense was good enough to squeeze out a couple of three-point wins.

It’s hard to beat a team three times in a row. Arizona has one of the best and most efficient offenses in the country. I don’t know if Washington State can slow the Wildcats down for a third time. I fully expect Arizona to return to form against the Cougars and finally get over that hump, winning the Pac-12 Tournament for the third time in a row.

Prediction: Arizona wins the Pac-12 Tournament