The USC women’s basketball team prepares for the Pac-12 Tournament knowing it will play in the NCAA Tournament two weeks later. It’s a great place for the Trojans to be. They are well ahead of schedule under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb and assistant coach Beth Burns.
Given that USC is already in the NCAA Tournament, one might think there’s little to play for at the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas.
Not so. There’s a very significant goal within USC’s reach. It’s not that complicated if you think about it.
USC enters this tournament on the border between a No. 7 and No. 8 seed. Beating Oregon State would merely maintain the Trojans’ place on the seed list, but beating Colorado in the quarterfinals on Thursday would probably move USC into the No. 7 seed position.
That means USC can’t face a No. 1 seed in the second round.
No South Carolina. No Indiana.
USC would face a strong team in Round 2 (if the Trojans get there, of course), but that team wouldn’t be South Carolina and it probably would have a few more weaknesses than a No. 1 seed.
Let’s dream bigger, too: If USC can beat Utah after beating Colorado — thereby going all the way to the Pac-12 Tournament final on Sunday, March 5 — the Trojans could move all the way up to a 6 seed, giving themselves an even better March Madness draw.
There is definitely something to play for at the Pac-12 Tournament. Let’s see what USC can achieve.
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