mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Quick show of hands.
Who wants to play UCLA in the Pac-12 tournament?
Didn’t think so.
Trashed in a midweek Sports Illustrated story that alleged drug use and
nonexistent chemistry, UCLA played its best basketball of the season to sweep
the Washington schools in the final weekend of regular-season play.
The Bruins had been unable to close all year, going 2-5 in games decided by
five points or fewer while squandering good chances at Washington, Oregon and
Arizona.
How that changed.
UCLA handled Washington State easily, 78-46, then followed with its best
victory of the season, a 75-69 triumph over Washington that temporarily denied
the Huskies a chance to clinch the regular-season title. After letting a big
lead slip away in Josh Smith’s return to Seattle three weeks before, the Bruins
made the plays down the stretch.
Maybe the negative light was stimulating.
“It can be,” Arizona State coach Herb Sendek said. “Hopefully you have a
team that doesn’t need that stimulus to be motivated.”
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Whatever it takes.
Even before the Bruins were roused, the Pac-12 tournament, which begins
Wednesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles seemed to be more wide-open than
ever. The top four seeds California, Washington, Oregon and Arizona – with
first-round byes – were considered the favorites to reach the semifinals.
It is hard not to lump UCLA, seeded fifth, in with that group as it prepares
for its first-round game against cross-town rival and No. 12 seed USC on
Wednesday afternoon.
The Bruins are dangerous, deep and athletic. They have the biggest frontline in
the league in the Wear twins (sophomores David and Travis) and Smith, streak
shooters Tyler Lamb and Lazeric Jones and role players such as athletically
gifted Norman Powell.
UCLA's statement weekend adds another layer of intrigue to the tournament. The
Bruins have to win it to make the NCAA tournament, something they have known
for months. Arizona appears to be in the same boat after its upset loss at
Arizona State on Sunday.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The ingredients for a series of
rollicking games are there.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">NCAA tournament watch"Times New Roman"">
The Pac-12 justifiably points to the improvements its teams have made in the
last few months as a reason for NCAA tournament reconsideration, but the league
still has to find a way to remove the stigma from a tough nonconference season.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Eight bubble teams that could spoil
everything:
Drexel — Probably should be in given the
Colonial’s track record.
Iona mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— Coach Tim Cluess makes a convincing argument, but will the
committee listen?
Seton Hall mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— A resurgent year, certainly, but how many bids does the Big
East deserve?
South Florida mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— Twelve Big East wins, but most are against the
also-rans.
Tennessee mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— Finishing strong in a so-so SEC.
Texas mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— A quick out in the Big 12 tournament would hurt the 19-12
Longhorns.
Virginia mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— Does not have a quality win since Jan. 7, but a winning ACC
record (9-7) helps.
Xavier mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— Lmso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">ike Saint Joseph’s, has work to do in A-10 tournament.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Eight results that could factor into
the Pac-12 chances on selection Sunday:
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— St. Louis 77, Washington 64 on Nov. 20.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— San Diego State 61, Arizona 57 on Nov. 23.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— Mississippi State 67, Arizona 57 on Nov. 18.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— Nevada 76, Washington 73 on Dec. 2.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— BYU 79, Oregon 65 on Dec. 3.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— Virginia 67, Oregon 54 on Dec. 18.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— South Dakota State 92, Washington 73 on Dec. 18.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">— UNLV 85, California 68 on Dec. 23.
The games were early, but the computer has a long memory.
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