Pac-10 Bracketology: Who's In, Who's Out

There is only one word to describe the Pac 10 this year.

Sloppy.

Over the latter half of the decade, the conference had a consistent power in UCLA. This year, that has not been the case with the Bruins failing to reach the .500 mark so far.

Many people believe the Pac 10 will not even receive an at large berth into the tournament. But Arizona State, Cal, and Washington have a chance to prove otherwise.

Arizona State

Record: 20-9(10-6)

Remaining games: vs. USC, vs. UCLA.

Key Wins: vs. Washington

Bad Losses: vs. Arizona

My Take: I think that the lack of a big non-conference win will hurt the Sun Devils come Selection Sunday. But I think they just do enough in Pac 10 Tourney to earn the at large berth.

CAL

Record: 20-9(12-5)

Remaining Games: at Stanford

Key Wins: vs. Arizona State, @ Arizona State.

Bad Losses:@ Oregon St.

My Take: Even though, like ASU, Cal does not have a key non-conference win on their resume, Cal has clinched the Pac 10 regular season title, which should be enough to go dancing.

Washington

Record: 19-9(9-7)

Remaining Games:@ Oregon, @Oregon St.

Key Wins:vs. Texas A&M, VS. CAL

Bad Losses: vs. Oregon, vs USC, @USC.

My Take: The Huskies win against Texas A&M in December gave UW the key non-conference victory that the the other two teams lack. Even with that, the Huskies need to win their final two games and perhaps even the conference tournament to find a spot in the Field of 64. As of now, I'm thinking NIT.