After both got big wins against Oregon, which Bay Area school do you think has a better shot at making a second-half run and competing for a tourney bid?
Jack Follman, Pacific Takes: Very close, but I think Stanford. I think they are more balanced and rely less on jump-shooters.
Jack Blanchat, Rule of Tree: Neither, to be totally honest. Both teams play a tough schedule to end the regular season, and I don't see either one getting deep into the conference tournament.
Andy Wooldridge, Building The Dam: Stanford has the better chance, as they have far more depth and versatility in their options. However, I don't think it will be a good enough chance. The conference will continue to destroy each other from within to the point that those muddled in the middle won't become impressive enough to earn an at-large berth, and neither Stanford or California is going to be able to run off 4 wins in 4 days to win the Pac-12 tournament.
Adam Butler, PacHoops: Stanford absolutely has an opportunity for a big second half. They haven't hardly begun to scratch the ceiling of what they're capable of which has been disappointing to date. That is a very good basketball team and can be seen as one of the deeper squads in the conference - a fact that could and should benefit them as we inch deeper and deeper into this season.
NorcalNick, California Golden Blogs: This question made me look at each team's respective tournament resume, and I was shocked at how nearly identical they are. Both teams have one win over a top-50 team - Oregon, at home, but have otherwise beaten every team they are better than and lost to every team they are worse than. They are only separated by 3 spots in the RPI.
I'll give the nod to Stanford mostly because their resume is ever-so-slightly superior and because they are probably the better team, particularly when you consider how Cal's depth issues might impact them towards the end of the season. But I'd be very surprised if either team makes it in.