The Pac-12’s bubble outlook in men’s basketball took a number of hits on Saturday. The only team in the bubble conversation which helped itself was Washington State, and the Cougars are still on the bad side of the bubble. Teams right on or near the bubble lost and took backward steps just before the month of February.
Arizona defeated bubble-hugging Oregon in Eugene, in a game which was never close. The Ducks had their big chance to get a high-level win and push themselves into the tournament field. After swinging and missing against the Wildcats, the Ducks won’t have many other chances to grab resume-boosting wins. They will have to win games in bulk and avoid bad losses to teams in the lower half of the conference. Their margin for error is small.
Colorado is also right on the bubble. The Buffaloes are in “first four out, last four in” territory. A loss to Washington State on Saturday reduces their margins as well. As is the case with Oregon, Colorado won’t get too many more chances at a significant profile-enhancing victory. The Buffs need a big February to play their way into the tournament.
Washington State, having beaten Arizona, Utah, and Colorado, has gained a lot in the bubble chase, but the Cougars still aren’t in the NCAA Tournament because they did nothing in nonconference play. They will need more good wins to feel optimistic about their chances. They are moving up the board but are still playing catch-up.
Arizona State — if there was any lingering possibility for an at-large bid — torched its chances this week by getting blown out by both Oregon and Oregon State. The failure of bubble teams in the Pac-12 was so substantial this past weekend that a three-bid showing in the NCAA Tournament is a distinct possibility. Four bids will require some work.
This is not how the Pac-12 wanted to conclude its final season of men’s hoops.
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