Pac-12 basketball has ten teams sniffing the NCAA tournament

Seeding courtesy of the Bracket Project.

Arizona Wildcats, fourth seed: Arizona's chances at being a 1 or 2 seed might have evaporated with a road sweep in Los Angeles. The Wildcats clearly aren't quite as consistent as last year's incarnation and will have to contend with a much stronger Pac-12. They're still the favorites but they have tinkering to do.

Oregon Ducks, sixth seed: Oregon took care of business and defended homecourt against Cal and Stanford, which is big after dropping the Oregon State game. A big road trip looms to the mountains.

USC Trojans, seventh seed: USC has to be so happy after sweeping up the Arizona schools and hanging around the top of the Pac-12. This is a squad that could definitely contend for a Pac-12 title if they have their heads on right. The talent is there and now the will to win is arriving too.

Utah Utes, seventh seed: Utah managed to avoid a disastrous 0-3 hole, but they have to right the ship in a hurry with the Oregons coming to town. Their Pac-12 title hopes could end up in the dumps with a bad week at home.

California Golden Bears, eighth seed: Cal has been a stalwart at home but just cannot get the hang of the road. The Bears have had a chance to win most of their road contests and blown them all, going 1-5 so far away from Berkeley. Another road trip with Stanford looms.

Oregon State Beavers, ninth seed: Landing wins over Cal and Oregon has to be critical for an Oregon State team on the rise. Oregon State can feel pretty content with getting a split this week to stay on track for the tourney.

UCLA Bruins, tenth seed: UCLA has wins over Kentucky, Arizona and Gonzaga to boost one of the strongest resumes in college basketball. They also have losses to the Washingtons and Wake Forest. I fail to understand this squad.

Colorado Buffaloes, 11th seed: Colorado is firmly on that bubble life right now, and is in need of quality wins if they don't want to fall off of it.

First four out

Arizona State Sun Devils: An ugly 0-3 start leaves ASU in need of big time victories in the Pac-12 schedule. ASU needs to figure out their next steps as a squad. The good news is six of their next ten are at home, so they should have winnable games ahead.

Washington Huskies: Washington has had a wonderful 3-0 start in Pac-12 play, but they have yet to leave their state. Incoming in their next ten games are the road trips to Los Angeles, Arizona, and the Mountains, with the Arizona schools and Colorado & Utah coming to Herc Ed. The road gets harder.