Oregon (14-4, 25-6)
The Oregon Ducks head into the Pac-12 tournament as the number one seed for the first time in several years. I see the Ducks as the team that can easily win it all or be stumped by the winner of Washington vs. Stanford in the second round. Oregon is a great offensive team but their defense has struggled from time to time. The Ducks are well rested and will avoid the upset on Thursday by a close game of 74-70. After the Ducks will play Arizona and win another close game 68-67. In the championship game they will be too tired to defeat the California Bears and will lose by a score of 73-68. – Eric Carlson
Utah (13-5, 24-7)
The Utah Utes earned themselves a first round bye in the Pac 12 tournament after coming back to beat Colorado in the regular season finale. The last seven games have been victories and whichever team they face, either USC or UCLA, will have a challenge containing this squad. All-Conference forward Jakob Poeltl averaged nearly a double double this season and his play should receive more spotlight in the tournament. Because of his efforts, Utah is currently ranked 12th in the country and are my favorite to win the conference title. They will begin their championship run by winning in the second round by a score of 85-80. – Logan Johnson
Arizona (12-6, 24-7)
The Arizona Wildcats ended their turbulent season on a positive note. Unfortunately, they have the most difficult road out of all the bye teams to win the Pac-12 tournament. Most likely the Wildcats will by Colorado who beat them just two weeks ago. After that they would likely have to defeat Oregon just to make it to the Championship round to play California or Utah. Not a pretty road ahead but if they win this would mean they are truly a great team. I believe the Wildcats get revenge first against the Colorado Buffs by a score of 81-68. Then lose to Oregon 82-79. – Eric Carlson
California (12-6, 22-9)
The California Bears stumbled a little bit in the Arizona desert, losing to Arizona in the final seconds and barely defeating the ASU Sun Devils. But tournament time is a different beast entirely. California will do a good job of wiping their brains of all past flops and win their first game against the winner of ASU and Oregon State 66-56. California is actually my surprise team to win the Pac-12 tournament this year by surprising Utah and defeating the Oregon Ducks in the championship round. – Eric Carlson
Colorado (10-8, 21-10)
Colorado has by far the easiest first game of the Pac-12 tournament against the Washington State Cougars who can’t buy a win right now. The Cougars are completely one dimensional and every team knows it. The Buffaloes will move on to the second round easily by a score of 81-64. The second round will be against Arizona that will look to avenge their loss to Colorado just a two weeks ago. Colorado will put up a good fight but give in to the Wildcats by a score of 79-72. – Eric Carlson
USC (9-9, 20-11)
USC finished the year on a bad note losing to Oregon at home to wrap up the season. While they finished at .500, the Trojans suffered a loss on the road at Arizona State that they couldn’t seem to bounce back from. The inabilities to finish games and play on the road was a recipe for self-destruction, and that’s what we saw take place. The USC-UCLA rivalry continues as they face each other first round. Two times the Trojans prevailed this season, so I predict a three-peat in this high scoring game, 90-80. Don’t expect them to travel far though, as Utah would be awaiting next. An upset is possible in the second round, but their chances of surviving to the championship are slim. – Logan Johnson
Oregon State (9-9, 18-11)
The Oregon State Beavers are predicted to be among the first four out of March Madness this year, but a few wins in the Pac-12 tournament may earn them a spot to the big dance. If the Beavers can contain the turnovers they commit this game and knock down shots at the line I believe they have a good chance of winning against the Sun Devils by a score of 71-63. If they move to the second round they will have to play California who has played better than any team in the second half of the season, this is where the Beavers journey ends by a score of 83-69. – Eric Carlson
Washington (9-9, 17-13)
UW Guard Andrew Andrews confirmed my prediction last week as he certainly was at the top of his game. His 47 points matched the highest in D-1 basketball this season, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Not only was it on his senior night, but the Huskies received much needed momentum entering the tournament. The first round for them against Stanford should be manageable. It is worth mentioning that in conference play, the Dawgs were held to a season low 64 points in their win against Stanford. They can’t repeat that performance if they want to make it far in the tournament. However, if Andrews puts the team on his back like he did against WSU, expect Washington to be a dark horse team in the tournament and beat Stanford 85-75. – Logan Johnson
Stanford (8-10, 15-14)
The Stanford Cardinals are coming off a devastating loss against the Arizona Wildcats which may have some mental effects heading into the first Pac-12 tournament game against the Washington Huskies. The Huskies just ended the regular season on a positive note and have a talented young group. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, I believe the leadership of Andrew Andrews will take over and send the Cardinals back home on the first flight out. Huskies win 74-65. – Eric Carlson
UCLA (6-12, 15-16)
The Bruins almost pulled away from Oregon State, but a turnover in the closing seconds sealed a loss for UCLA. The loss now makes it four games in a row. With little momentum entering the first round, the Bruins face USC who they lost twice to in the regular season. In order for the Bruins to win the backcourt will need to step up to a new level. On the season, Isaac Hamilton and Bryce Alford averaged 17 and 16, respectively. As good as that sounds, in the two games against the Trojans they both averaged just 10 points each. A more significant effort is needed from both of them to beat USC and Utah. While Hamilton did score 25 against the Utes, Alford scored 11 and the Bruins ended up losing by two. This shows that a collaborative effort is needed from both UCLA guards to have a chance. USC wins this matchup 90-80. – Logan Johnson
Arizona State (5-13, 15-16)
Arizona State fell three points short of a home win against Cal wrapping up their regular season. It was a disappointing finish that doesn’t show much hope entering the Pac 12 tourney. What makes the Oregon State game interesting, though, is that the Beavers were one of their five conference victories. The Sun Devils dominated the game on both sides of the ball as Tra Holder held Gary Payton II to just one basket. Offensively, they posted a season high 86 points but I doubt they’ll hit that mark again soon. I want to believe Holder will have a lockdown performance against GPII, but the guy is too talented to be held to two points twice. The turnover issue needs to be fixed as well for ASU, 12 per game can take a team out of the game early. If they make it through the first round, they showed last week they can compete with Cal, and I know for a fact they’re giving any team a run for their money. Unfortunately, the Sun Devils lose in the first round 80-68. – Logan Johnson
Washington State (1-17, 9-21)
The Washington State Cougars allowed 47 points to the conference’s top scorer in their final game of the season extending their losing streak to 16. Their one hope in the tournament is Josh Hawkinson, who competed against the Huskies posting 23 points and 17 rebounds. He’s been the only threat the Cougars have all season but with no evident help, I don’t think he’ll be able to carry the load against Colorado. Someone on offense needs to step up and knock down shots if they want to have any chance. Otherwise the result will be relying on Hawkinson’s talent on both sides of the ball and most likely getting blown out. Colorado wins this game easily, 78-70. – Logan Johnson
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