NCAA Brackets 2013: Cal, Oregon & UCLA With Tough Games, Arizona With Easiest

Which Pac-12 team has the toughest first round matchup? Which Pac-12 team drew the most fortunate first round matchup?

Jack Follman, Pacific Takes: UCLA has the toughest because I thought Minnesota was more like an 8 or 9 seed and they play hard with tough defense which doesn't sound like something the Bruins want to face right now. I think Cal got the best because they are basically playing a home game against a UNLV team that they only lost to by one point earlier in the season.

Norcalnick, California Golden Blogs: I think Oklahoma State is pretty clearly the best team any Pac-12 squad faces in the first round. Minnesota might have the highest ceiling, and UNLV might be a poor matchup for Cal, but Oklahoma St. is just objectively better than any other Pac-12 first round opponent.

The most fortunate? Arizona. Belmont is a good team, but so is just about everybody else in the tournament. And Arizona should be on upset alert . . . but the fact that it would be an upset is an indication that the Wildcats have the weakest 1st round opponent. Arguably, every other Pac-12 team is the underdog.

David Piper, Addicted to Quack: I don't like Cal's matchup at all. They already lost once to UNLV this season, at home, when UNLV didn't have Mike Moser. Moser still isn't right, but I don't see the Bears as having anybody that can content with Anthony Bennett down low. I guess the one thing you can say for Cal is that they essentially get a home game. What was up with 12-seeds being rewarded with the home court advantage?

Gekko Mojo, UW Dawg Pound: I agree with David. Cal's matchup against UNLV feels like a mismatch given the trajectory each team is on at the moment. I suppose it is natural to feel that way given that the two teams have already played once this year. Still, UNLV;s muscle on the blocks isn't something Cal is well-equipped to deal with no matter where the game is being played.