Pac-12 Tournament Predictions: Who Will Get On A Heater in Las Vegas?
By Josh Goldman
Jan 12, 2013; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; A detail view of the Pac 12 logo on the court before the start of the game between the UCLA Bruins and the Colorado Buffaloes. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Opening Round 3/13/2013
#8 Stanford vs. #9 Arizona State: The Cardinals went on the road and beat the Sun Devils in their previous matchup. Both teams are heading to the NIT unless a miraculous run in the tournament. I like Arizona State over Stanford in a close one.
#5 Colorado vs. #12 Oregon State: Colorado can’t afford a bad loss to Oregon State. Expect Colorado to jump out of the gate quickly and prepare for their next game tomorrow. Both teams won on each other’s home court. Colorado advances for a destined 3rd matchup with Arizona.
#7 USC vs. #10 Utah: The Trojans and Utes finished the season on a strong note. USC won easily at Utah in the previous matchup but I expect this game to be closer. Winner of this game has potential to surprise some people. I think USC pulls out at the end.
#6 Washington vs. #11 Washington State: The Huskies beat the Cougars in both regular season matchups. Washington hibernated for a month in the regular season but appear to be awake now and on a roll. Washington wins easily over their in-state rivals.
Quarterfinals 3/14/2013
#1 UCLA vs. #9 Arizona State: The Bruins and Sun Devils split in the regular season with their second matchup going into overtime. The Bruins won the Pac-12 even with the horrific loss at Washington State. This match-up will feature the two best freshmen in the conference with Shabazz Muhammad and Jahii Carson. I expect Carson to shine in this game and lead Arizona State to the upset victory over UCLA. Bruins 74 Sun Devils 79
#4 Arizona vs. #5 Colorado: The basketball Gods have made this grudge match destiny. Colorado had the first game stolen from them by an official then won at home by 13. Arizona is predicted by many to win the Pac-12 tournament and be the highest Pac-12 seed in the big dance but I don’t think this a good match up for them. Buffaloes 72 Wildcats 67
#2 California vs. #7 USC: The Trojans had been playing great until their trip to the Washington schools to close the regular season. Cal has Allen Crabbe though who has been the best player in the Conference all year. With a big stage, I expect Crabbe to have a big game and lead Cal over USC to end the Trojans season.
#3 Oregon vs. #6 Washington: The Ducks won both matchups against the Huskies but it was during the Huskies funk. Oregon let the Pac-12 slip through their hands losing at Colorado and at Utah to finish the regular season. The Huskies are playing better and I like the Huskies in this game to advance to the semis.
Semifinals 3/15/2013
#5 Colorado vs. #9 Arizona State: The Buffaloes lost both games in the season to the Sun Devils. If Arizona State gets this far, they might have a chance to get in the field of 68 but I think they would need to get to the Pac-12 championship game to sneak in. I think the Sun Devils run comes up short as they head to the NIT and Colorado advances to the Pac-12 championship.
#2 California vs. #6 Washington: Washington won on the road 62-47 in their only matchup of the regular season. Cal is a different team now and Allen Crabbe is rolling. Washington needs nothing less than to win the Pac-12 tournament to dance in the NCAA tournament and like Arizona State I think they come up short in the semifinals losing to the better team.
Pac-12 Championship 3/16/2013
#2 California vs. #5 Colorado: Both teams have been playing well since February and are the 2 hottest teams in the conference so it’s only fitting that they duke it out in the final. The Golden Bears and Buffaloes split their regular season matchups with both teams winning at home. Seeding in the NCAA Tournament will be at stake with the winner potentially jumping as high as a #7 seed. I like this game to come down to the wire as the Golden Bears squeak out the victory by 3. Cal 74- Colorado 71