Pac-12 Tournament: UCLA Win or USC Upset

The clocks turned to March and for college basketball fans all over the country it’s time for the madness of the NCAA tournament.  Even before the field of 68 is rounded out this Sunday, the conference tournaments, in particular the Pac-12 tournament, start this week.

For the UCLA Bruins  the Pac-12 tournament is a chance to solidify their credentials as one of the countries best teams.  For the USC Trojans a possible bubble team if they win the tournament and they guarantee a punched ticket to the big dance.

The UCLA Bruins are ranked number three overall in the national polls going into the Pac-12 tournament.  They’ve only lost three games the entire season and they boast a potent offense lead by All-American and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Lonzo Ball.

The team is rounded out by Pac-12 1st team picks senior sharpshooter Bryce Alford and freshman T.J. Leaf.  That’s a lot of firepower for the Bruins but there are some obstacles to be sure for the on their way to winning the tournament.

Despite having only three losses for the year the Bruins finished third in the Pac-12 this year behind Arizona and Oregon because, all three losses were in conference play.  In order to win the tournament the Bruins will likely have to defeat the three teams they lost to during the regular season Arizona, Oregon, and USC.  That’s a tall order as they would need to win three nights in a row starting on Thursday.

The Trojans don’t have the strongest regular season resume to guarantee a trip to the NCAA tournament,  a strong showing at the Pac-12 tournament may help them achieve that goal.  The Trojans do have two guards that can play at a high level in Jordan McLaughlin and Bennie Boatwright.  The key to their game though is their man in the middle Chimezie Metu,

Metu was named the Pac-12 most improved player of the year and made the All Pac-12 second team, his interior play is what opens up the Trojans offense and their three-point shooters.  He was second on the team averaging 14 points and first in rebounds with averaging 7.  Metu’s defense and shot blocking protect the rim and keep teams on the perimeter.  The Trojans will need him to bring his “A” game in order to go deep in the tournament.

When the tournament starts on Wednesday the Trojans play the Washington Huskies, a win there and they get a rematch with the Bruins on Thursday night.  For both teams there will be a lot at stake in that third game.

The Bruins march to a tournament title and a possible #1 seed in the NCAA tournament may start with USC.  If the Trojans can upset their rival they likely get to continue post-season play and have their name called on Sunday during the selection process.  Tune in to what maybe a classic in the Bruins and Trojans rivalry.