With the 2013 Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament tipping off Wednesday afternoon, the staff makes their predictions on how they see things unfolding in Vegas.
Who do you see as the favorite in the Pac-12 tournament and why?
McLean Cannon: Gotta go with UCLA. I know bold move going with the # 1 seed and regular season champion, but this team is playing as well as anyone in the conference of late (winners of 7 of their last 9) and appear to be build to make run not only in the Pac-12 tournament, but in the NCAA tourney as well, A talented Bruins squad hitting their stride in mid March…that’s a scry thought.
Preston Hiefield: Cal. Before their loss to Stanford in the Pac-12 regular season finale, the Bears had won 7 in a row and 9 of 10. They’re still as hot as any team in the conference and have one of the better backcourts in all of college basketball with Crabbe and Cobbs.
Andrew Murray: Based on raw talent, UCLA is the favorite heading into the Pac-12 tournament. The Bruins faced some early season losses and significant defensive struggles in up until January. However, they have found their anchors in freshmen sensations Shabazz Muhammad and Jordan Adams. The Bruins recently knocked off # 11 Arizona and have won seven out of their last nine games. Head coach Ben Howland looks to push the Bruins to their first Pac-12 tournament title since 2008.
Shannon Hartley: The top of the Pac-12 is very tight heading into the conference tournament as UCLA (13-5) is one game ahead of the next three seeds, who all stand at 12-6. I may sound like a front-runner, but my favorite team going into the tournament is UCLA and their outstanding freshman, Shabazz Muhammad. With Muhammad putting up over 18 points a night and the Wear twins down low to rebound, the Bruins will take the west side of the bracket.
Who do you see being a potential under the radar team that could win the tournament, as Colorado did a year ago?
Hiefield: I think it’s Colorado again. Despite losing 2 of their final 3 to close the season, this is a team that has the ability to win multiple close games in a row as they did in last year’s tournament. Spencer Dinwiddie ain’t too shabby, either.
Murray: Once again, Colorado is a team to watch out for this week in Las Vegas. The Buffaloes swept the Ducks and were close to sweeping Arizona as well. While they lost to Oregon State in their regular season finale, Colorado will be sure to step up their game realizing that they’ll most likely need to win the tournament in order to punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament.
Hartley: The one team that stands out to me when looking for an underdog is No. 9 seed, Arizona State. With freshman guard Jahii Carson leading them, they could potentially take down the west side of the bracket and finish with a win in the championship. In tournament play, one thing that is necessary to keep moving forward is momentum. When Carson gets fired up, no one on the court can stop him; if he can sustain that play throughout the tournament and create opportunities for his teammates, Arizona State may be the dark horse of the 2013 Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Cannon: Not sure if you can be under the radar two years in a row, but I’m going with Colorado…again. This is a team that has underwhelmed throughout the regular season (aside from sweeping the Ducks), but at the same time is a team that I’m sure no one wants to play. Anytime you’ve got 1st team All Pac-12 selection Spencer Dinwiddie and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Andre Roberson on the court at the same time, you’re going to give yourself a pretty good chance.
How far do you see Oregon making it in the Pac-12 tournament, and what seeding do you project them earning for the NCAA tournament?
Murray: Oregon has experienced an up and down season. The Ducks started off 18-2, but ended the season on a two game losing skid. The Ducks swept the Washington schools this year and will face either Washington or Washington State on Thursday. From there, they could face either Stanford or California, who are a combined 3-1 against the Ducks this season. Given the Ducks recent inconsistency, a semifinal exit looks to be the best possible scenario for Oregon. In the aftermath of the tournament, the Ducks will most likely be awarded a nine seed to the NCAA tournament.
Hartley: The conference bracket definitely works in Oregon’s favor as they potentially play either Washington or Washington St. The Ducks haven’t lost to either team this year. If Oregon wins their initial game, the bracket works to their advantage as they play either Cal or a lower seeded USC or Utah team. With a full roster and an experienced coach in Dana Altman, Oregon has a very good chance of making it into the championship and garnering a seven or eight seed going into the NCAA Tournament.
Cannon: The way the Ducks have played of late, I could easily see them losing in the second round to the UW/WSU winner and head into the tournament as a 9 or 10 seed. They just haven’t been consistent enough offensively (63 ppg over last 11 games), and it’s too bad, after they had a fantastic first 2/3 of the season.
Hiefield: Oregon received the far, far easier half of the bracket in Vegas. I see them advancing past the Washington schools and then Cal in the semis, but falling in the finals. I think they receive an 8 seed from the tournament committee.