Pac-12 Hoops Check-In

Remember the final chapter of Pac-12 football? The national runner-up in #2 Washington, along with #6 Oregon, and #11 Arizona…talk about a farewell tour. But unfortunately, the same can’t be said on the basketball court, where it looks like the conference may go out with a whimper 😬

• Last week, we discussed perhaps the most slept-on basketball conference in the country, so it’s only right we pivot this week to the most disappointing. And with only one team ranked in the most recent AP Top 25, and only 2-3 teams projected to receive a tourney invite, that distinction has to go to the PAC 🥴

Fifth-ranked Arizona is the obvious exception. At 19-5 with the fourth-best odds to win the national title (+1100), the Wildcats are legit, and they look like a safe bet to cruise to their third-straight Pac-12 tournament victory 🏆

But while Arizona has lived up to their preseason hype thus far, at the very bottom of the Pac-12 standings is a team that certainly has not. Safe to say it hasn’t been the season USC Trojan fans were expecting…

• High hopes for the Trojans this season were understandable. They boasted the country’s third-ranked recruiting class, featuring #1 prospect Isaiah Collier and Bronny James, and key returners from last year’s tournament team like leading scorer and First Team All-PAC selection Boogie Ellis

• Picked to finish second in the conference in the preseason poll, USC entered the season ranked #21. But flash-forward to today, and they’re sitting at 9-15 overall, and in dead last in the standings 😳

The spiraling Trojans have dropped eight of their last nine, and they’ll attempt to right the ship tonight on their home floor against the Utah Utes. But if there’s any Pac-12 matchup worth tuning into this evening, it’s the nationally televised showdown between the Colorado Buffaloes and the UCLA Bruins. Check out how the lines are shaping up 👇

Colorado vs. UCLA Betting Preview

• Spread: Colorado -1.5

• Moneyline: Colorado -111, UCLA -108

• Over/Under: 137.5 Total Points

• When: 9PM EST on ESPN

If the Pac-12 is going to sneak more than just a couple teams into the field, this is one Colorado needs to win. Currently slotted in “Next Four Out” territory in the most recent Bracketology, they have little margin for error the rest of the season, and conference road wins are always big for a resume 👀

• The Buffs are led by guard KJ Simpson (team-high 19.4 PPG) and big man Tristan de Silva (First Team All-Pac last year), but their X-factor is freshman Cody Williams. Averaging 14 PPG, the little brother of the Thunder’s Jalen Williams is a projected lottery pick in this year’s draft…jump on the hype train while you still can 📈

At 13-11, this year’s UCLA team may not be reaching the high bar head coach Mick Cronin has set in recent seasons. But as you may be able to tell from tonight’s tight betting line, they’re still dangerous, especially on their home floor 😤

• It’s been a roller coaster season for the Bruins, who had the look of a Top-25 caliber team early after battling Marquette and Gonzaga tough in Maui. A brutal 1-8 stretch after (with CSU Northridge among their losses) had their postseason hopes on life support, but they’ve since battled back to win seven of their last eight…so maybe there’s still a chance?

The Bruins are shooting for six in a row, while the bubble-bound Buffs need every win they can get. Sure, it’s been a disappointing season as a whole for the Pac-12, but tonight’s matchup should at least be a good one 😎

Trivia Question: How many Men’s NCAA Basketball Championships does the PAC-12 have?

For My Parlay Gurus

Mick Cronin has the Bruins firing on all cylinders lately; their lone blemish over the past month is a six-point loss at Arizona. So even though I’m a big fan of Colorado’s upside, I gotta go with the home team tonight – check out this parlay 👇

• UCLA ML vs. Colorado: -108

• Over 137.5 Total Points: -105

$100 on this bet would win you $248 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win an Overtime hoodie*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: The PAC-12 has 23 men’s titles, tied with the SEC for the most all-time. Eight teams have won, and UCLA has the most titles all-time with 11

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Many will enter, one (1) will win. Void where prohibited. Open to legal US & DC residents 18 years or older. Prize is one Overtime hoodie. Approximate retail value (“ARV”): $65. Entries are accepted until 11:59 pm EST on the day after the bet hits. See Campaign Terms for additional terms. ©2023 Overtime Sports, Inc. All rights reserved.