Pac 12 Postseason Analysis
By nmueller
Well, the season in college basketball has almost come full circle. That most wonderful sporting event that we all love so much is just around the corner. You know what that means: I smell a debate coming on. For those of you that don’t know, a few of us ZonaZealot writers throw down a debate now and again to see who truly knows all in Pac 12 related sports topics. Jeff, the debate is back on and better than ever with the Pac 12 postseason analysis. With the big tournament in sight it is time to pull out the magic 8 ball and see who will make March Madness from the Pac 12 and how these teams may fair in the tournament.
I am going to start right at the top and ask the magic 8 ball if the California Golden Bears will make the tournament. Prognosis: Ummm Yeah!!!! Cal may be the one team in the Pac 12 that should easily make the tournament. With a record of 21-6 overall and a Pac 12 record of 11-3 they have the best chance overall to make the tournament. I don’t see the team losing any of their remaining 4 games to Oregon State, Utah, Colorado, or Stanford. This team should end up getting into the tournament with a pretty decent seed (probably around 5-7). The problem is what they can do when they get to the tournament. I really don’t foresee this team getting past Rd. 2 in the tourney.
The next team in the standings is the Washington Huskies. Well magic 8 ball, what do you have to say about the Huskies? Prognosis: All signs point to…..Yes. Washington is playing really good ball in Pac 12 play with an 11-3 record and an overall record of 18-8. This means that this team may have to win the Pac-12 regular season title or they may find themselves watching the NCAA tournament from home. Like Cal, the Huskies have 3 of their 4 remaining games on the road but are playing schools that they should beat (except for Arizona). This team is too talented not to make it into the NCAA tournament–they will end up there. The Huskies also can make a run in the tournament. With their guard play and rebounding abilities I believe this team will make a Sweet 16 run and take whomever they play in the round of 16 to the brink of defeat.
Magic 8 ball, I have to ask you for a favor with the next team because we are looking at the Arizona Wildcats. Prognosis: Iffy, but what the heck….why not? This Wildcat team that was dead in the water a few weeks back with week after week heartbreaking Saturday losses and injuries to boot is alive again. With a 5 game winning streak and a smothering defense this Wildcat team now has some national buzz again. Sean Miller has not let this team die, and with the balanced attack and the capabilities to spread the floor and force the opponent to react, they are a scary team. The Overall record of 19-8 and Pac 12 record of 10-4 give Arizona an opportunity to amass around 21-22 wins with the Pac 12 tournament included and secure a postseason berth. Once the Wildcats get there the possibilities are endless. We all saw what happened last year, with a great coach and a great mix of upperclassmen and youth we just may have a run in us.
Magic 8 ball, I just want to ask you one last question about the Pac 12 because that’s all I need for now. Will any other team in the Pac 12 make the NCAA tournament? Prognosis: Not Bloody likely. All of the other teams in the Pac 12 will need to make a run in the Pac 12 tournament and that won’t happen with the 3 big guns in this league.
Well Jeff, that is my prognosis for the Pac 12 postseason. We will definitely have to either continue this debate next week or jump back into other college basketball predictions (National Title Contenders, Mid-Major’s best part 2 etc.). For now though I will leave you with one final question that I have for the magic 8 ball: Will Jeff predict the same thing that I do for the Pac 12 postseason? Prognosis: He’s a fool if he doesn’t.