Schedule / How-To-Watch

First Round (Wednesday, March 7th)

G1: #8 Colorado v. #9 Arizona State (12:00 PM PT, Pac-12 Network)

G2: #5 Stanford v. #12 California (2:30 PM PT, Pac-12 Network)

G3: #7 Washington v. #10 Oregon State (6:00 PM PT, Pac-12 Network)

G4: #6 Oregon v. #11 Washington State (8:30 PM PT, Pac-12 Network)

Quarterfinals (Thursday, March 8th)

G5: #1 Arizona v. COL/ASU Winner (12:00 PM PT, Pac-12 Network)

G6: #4 UCLA v. STAN/CAL Winner (2:30 PM PT, Pac-12 Network)

G7: #2 USC v. WASH/OSU Winner (6:00 PM PT, Pac-12 Network)

G8: #3 Utah v. ORE/WSU Winner (8:30 PM PT, Fox Sports 1)

Semifinals (Friday, March 9th)

G9: G5 Winner v. G6 Winner (6:00 PM PT, Pac-12 Network)

G10: G7 Winner v. G8 Winner (8:30 PM PT, Fox Sports 1)

Final (Saturday, March 10th)

G11: G9 Winner v. G10 Winner (7:00 PM PT, Fox Sports 1)

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The Seeds

1. Arizona Wildcats (24-7, 14-4)

The Wildcats are storming into the conference tournament with a strong denial of any involvement with the recent FBI college basketball scandal in tow. If Arizona can keep their focus on the court, they’re the easy pick to claim the tournament crown.

2. USC Trojans (21-10, 12-6)

USC is one of the league’s hotter teams as of late, which may aid them in their quest to reach the final. Being on the same side as #3 Utah could also help, as they’ll avoid any potential meeting with Arizona until the final, unlike rival UCLA.

3. Utah Utes (19-10, 11-7)

The surprise of the league, the Utes have made some major strides despite a less than stellar off-season and could be the Pac-12’s biggest enigma in the NCAA Tournament picture. A nice showing at the league’s post-season tournament could further their case.

4. UCLA Bruins (20-10, 11-7)

Off the record, the Bruins are my pick to steal the league’s automatic bid, which will likely mean finding their way past Arizona in the semifinals. For what it’s worth as well, I’m thinking Arizona State upends the Wildcats before the Bruins even get their shot at them.

5. Stanford Cardinal (17-14, 11-7)

Another one of the league’s great mysteries, what version of the Cardinal shows up in the Pac-12 Tournament is just about anyone’s guess. The only reason to believe that Stanford comes to play is that they’re a veteran laden squad with careers on the line.

6. Oregon Ducks (20-11, 10-8)

The Ducks are becoming more and more of a team to actually “like” (not here at Building The Dam, but other places of course) by their gradual improvement over the course of the 2017-2018 campaign. Oregon has the pieces, it’s just if it all comes together now.

7. Washington Huskies (20-11, 10-8)

Mike Hopkins picked up Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors in his first season at the helm of the Huskies program, anchored by the implementation of a tough zone defense. If Washington can score the ball consistently, they can become the league’s dark-horse team.

8. Colorado Buffaloes (16-14, 8-10)

What is there to say about the Buffs heading into this year’s tournament that would make the end of George King’s career in Boulder hurt any less? Maybe it’s how effortlessly he’s passing the torch to McKinley Wright IV as Colorado’s next big thing.

9. Arizona State Sun Devils (20-10, 8-10)

Bobby Hurley’s wild season is in danger once again, with a frightening clash with Colorado on the horizon. If the Sun Devils want to prove their big dance potential once and for all, they’ll have to start off on the right foot against the Buffs.

10. Oregon State Beavers (15-15, 7-11)

The Beavers ten-win improvement from last year may signal the final go-round for some of Oregon State’s more talented players. If Wayne Tinkle can return all his pieces to Corvallis next season, Oregon State has a chance to be a bubble-type squad.

11. Washington State Cougars (12-18, 4-14)

Washington State’s depth has continued to haunt this team, as the Cougars were unable to find more than four wins through the bulk of a not-so-friendly conference slate. Point guard Malachi Flynn will need to have a monster outing to give Ernie Kent’s boys a chance.

12. California Golden Bears (8-23, 2-16)

It feels like the season can’t end soon enough for Wyking Jones and company, but the door is still ajar for ending the year on a high note. A victory over rival Stanford could change the momentum around this program as they head into next season.

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The Bracket