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Could the PAC-10 get seven teams into the NCAA tournament? |
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Written by Chris Sturgeon
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Monday, 26 February 2007 |
Could the PAC-10 get seven teams into the NCAA Tournament? With only a few weeks remaining until the NCAA hands out invitations to
the "Big Dance," it looks like the PAC-10 has seven teams with a
realistic shot at making the tournament.
Several teams have been huge surprises during conference play, making the PAC-10 one of the deepest conferences in the country.
A quick look at each contending team:
UCLA: At 24-3, the Bruins will likely earn a #1 seed in the West region. They have been the class of the conference so far, but not unbeatable. If they stumble down the stretch and lose early in the PAC-10 tournament, they could fall to a #2 seed, but that is highly unlikely.
Washington State: Proving their critics wrong (I projected them to finish last in my preseason review), the Cougars are currently 22-5 and are looking at a #3 or #4 seed in the tournament at this point. If they can upset UCLA and win the PAC-10 tournament, they could get as high as a #2 seed. They are doing it with defense, leading the conference with a stellar 58.0 ppg team defense.
USC: The most athletic team in the conference has stumbled a bit recently but is 20-8 overall. They should get a #6 or #7 seed, preferably for them in the East. The Trojans are not well known on the east coast and could really do some damage in the tournament against teams that are not familiar with them.
Stanford: At 17-9, the Cardinal are going to get in the tournament with a #8 seed, unless they lose every game from here out, and do not win a game in the conference tournament. Six of their nine losses have come in conference play. I don't see them doing much damage in the tournament, however, unless they get on a roll and get a favorable draw.
Oregon: The team that has really had a let down in the second half of the season is the Ducks, as evidenced by their 21-7 record. Six out of their seven losses have come within the last month. Their overall record will get them into the Big Dance with a #8 or #9 seed. Then, "No Tourney" Ernie Kent will begin his summer vacation early in March after the Ducks lose their first game of the NCAA tournament.
Arizona: The wildcats have not played up to Coach Lute Olsen's expectations this season, but they will still make the tournament. At 17-9 right now, they should get in with at least a #9 seed. They still can make a run and win a few games in the tournament, but this is not the year Coach Olsen makes it back to the Final Four.
Washington: The Huskies have had a tough go of it in conference play. At 6-9, they are looking at a #7 seed for their own conference tournament. However, they are 16-11 overall. If they can make a run in the PAC-10 tournament and get to 20 wins, there is an outside shot at them making the NCAA tournament. However, if they go to the NIT, look for them to make it to the championship game of that tournament.
PAC-10 game(s) of the week: On Saturday, March 3, 2007, the last day of conference play has two must-watch games. Times are not announced yet, pending television scheduling, but both Arizona @ Stanford and USC @ Washington State will have conference and NCAA tournament implications.
Next up: Where will there be coaching vacancies in the PAC-10 after this season?
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