The Wildcats clinched the regular season Pac-12 title with their win in Salt Lake City Saturday, sweeping Utah. Winning in one of the more hostile environments in the west is huge in proving Arizona has what it takes this season.
The Utes dropped their first home game since losing to Arizona a season ago and now will have to win out to clinch the second seed in Las Vegas for the Pac-12 Tournament. Utah's 42-point win over ASU Thursday was the largest this season in conference play.
The Ducks swept their trip to the Bay Area for the first time since 1976 and clinched a first round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament. Senior guard Joseph Young and junior forward Elgin Cook each scored 21 points in Oregon's win over Stanford, showing it has the star power to win any game.
The Bruins just need to win their last game against crosstown rival USC to clinch the final first round bye next week. They've come a long way since dropping five games in a row between December and January and now rest squarely on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament.
A close loss to Oregon puts the Cardinal in danger of having to play on the first day of the Pac-12 tournament if they can't take care of business in Arizona and don't get help from UCLA, who beat the Cardinal twice this year. Stanford is on the outside looking in on March Madness and will need a very strong end to the year to earn a ticket.
In a crowded middle of the Pac-12, the Sun Devils get the advantage based on quality of opponents lost to recently. ASU had won seven of 10 before being taken to task by Utah and losing a nail-biter in Colorado, effectively ending any speculation of the outside chance of an at-large bid. ASU will finish with two home games, could earn a bye in Las Vegas and will try for a high seed in the NIT.
The Golden Bears snapped a three-game skid by beating Oregon State Sunday on Senior Day. Sophomore guard Jordan Matthews has stepped up as a consistent scoring for Cal, saving most of his best games for the most important ones, including a 17 point outburst against the Beavers that was, quite literally, the difference in the game.
The Buffaloes eked out a win over ASU on Senior Day led by senior guard Askia Booker's career-high 29 points. Still underachieving, Colorado has a chance to improve its standing for the Pac-12 Tournament with an easy weekend in Washington.
The Beavers had a hot start, but their inconsistent offense has not kept up with their suffocating defense for the most part. Oregon State has scored 70 points or more just five times this year and is 323rd in the nation in points per game. A possible home win over rival Oregon could give them momentum for a tournament run, but only if the offense can carry some weight.
The Cougars have steadily improved throughout the conference season, accumulating as many wins thus far as they did during out-of-conference play. Sophomore forward Josh Hawkinson has quickly become one of the best rebounders in the Pac-12 and in Washington State history.
The Huskies were wiped by both Los Angeles schools and are on the brink of losing 11 of its final 12 games of the season with the Rocky Mountain schools making the trip to Seattle. Not coincidentally, the team dismissed center Robert Upshaw at the start of this skid.
The Trojans took down Washington in their last home game, sending their seniors out on a high note. Upcoming is USC's last chance for a road win in Pac-12 play as it travels to Westwood for a meeting at Pauley Pavilion with UCLA.
Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or follow @Tonis_The_Tiger on Twitter.
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