Recapping the action across the Pac-12 …
Theme of the week I: The sweepers
The fourth weekend of conference play produced three sweeps, with all three coming at home, naturally. Arizona handled the Los Angeles schools; Colorado whacked the Oregon schools; and Utah took care of the Ducks and Beavers, as well. One month down, there’s a three-team tie for first place (Oregon and the Arizona schools) followed by three more teams (Stanford and the Mountain schools) just one game off the pace in the loss column.
Theme of the week II: The swept
Meanwhile, Oregon State and USC lost twice this weekend and are entrenched at the bottom of the standings. We aren’t the slightest bit surprised by OSU’s struggles, but the Trojans, who were picked second in the preseason media poll, have been undercut by injuries and poor play. They stand as one of the most disappointing teams — in the country, not the conference.
Theme of the season: NCAA outlook
With each passing week, the Pac-12’s outlook for a respectable haul of March Madness bids becomes incrementally more dire. Arizona is a lock — the only lock. Utah stands on fragile ground, one short losing streak away from falling onto the bubble, while Oregon and Colorado are on the bubble. Don’t dismiss the possibility of the Pac-12 being a two-bid league when Selection Sunday arrives.
Game of the week: Arizona 77, UCLA 71
The Bruins’ final scheduled appearance in Tucson met the standard set by so many showdowns in the rivalry’s illustrious history. UCLA led by 17 points with 16 minutes remaining before the Wildcats unleashed one of their trademark McKale Center surges that ensured this last duel would leave us wanting more. The final five minutes were pulsating, with a series of ties and lead changes. One of many keys to Arizona’s survival: 25-of-29 at the free throw line. (Of note: The Wildcats visit Pauley Pavilion on March 7.)
Player of the week: Arizona G Pelle Larrson
The 6-foot-6 junior, who began his career at Utah during the COVID season, was the best player in the best game of the weekend, leading the Wildcats with 22 points and a slew of critical baskets (and free throws) in the stretch. We considered a handful of players, including Colorado’s Cody Williams, Utah’s Deivon Smith, Stanford’s Spencer Jones and Cal’s Jaylon Tyson.
Shot of the week: Washington F Moses Wood
The 6-foot-8 graduate transfer (from Portland) buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer from the left corner to propel the Huskies past Cal 77-75 on Thursday night. The shot, which came courtesy of Keion Brooks Jr.’s savvy pass, capped a late rally that began with UW trailing by six points with two minutes remaining. Wood’s clutch basket secured the Huskies’ first road win in league play after losses to Utah, Colorado and UCLA.
Controversy of the week: Arizona State vs. UCLA
UCLA rallied from 15 points down to stun the Sun Devils in a wild affair Wednesday evening that was marred by four technical fouls on ASU — all in the second half — and several questionable decisions by the officials. Two of the technicals resulted in a seven-point possession for the Bruins that changed the trajectory of the game. All of them left Bobby Hurley fuming. However, ASU’s combustible coach stopped short of roasting the refs — “I wish I could say how I really feel,” he said to start the post-game news conference — and thus averted a reprimand, and possible fine, by the conference.
Missed chance of the week: Washington State
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The Cougars began their week with an impressive showing at Stanford that extended their winning streak to three games. But they couldn’t secure a sweep of the Bay Area despite a seven-point lead with two minutes left in Berkeley. In fact, the momentum shifted so far, so fast that WSU needed a last-second 3-pointer from guard Myles Rice just to force overtime. Cal controlled the extra period from start to finish.
Stat of the season: Colorado
The Buffaloes whacked Oregon and Oregon State by a combined 49 points to extend their home winning streak to 12 games. Perfection will be tested next month when the Arizona schools and Utah visit the Events Center, but the more immediate concern for the Buffs is breaking through at sea level. They are 0-3 on the road in conference play with a trip to Washington this week.
Game of next week: Arizona at Oregon (Saturday)
Two of the three teams deadlocked in first place collide in Matthew Knight Arena (on Fox at 2:30 p.m.). It’s an important game for the Wildcats as they pursue the No. 1 seed in the Pac-12 tournament but a vital game for the Ducks, who need quality wins to strengthen their at-large resume in case they don’t win the conference tournament. But we wonder: Will Oregon get caught looking ahead to Arizona and underperform Thursday against the Sun Devils? Don’t be shocked if just one team comes out of the Oregon weekend with a sweep — and that team is ASU.
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